A heart full of gratitude

indiebound150x150Dear reader, bookseller, friend,

I never imagined, when I received the shocking news this week that The Snow Child was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, that anything else related to my writing career would ever be so powerful and moving.

And then I learned yesterday that independent booksellers across America had selected The Snow Child for their 2013 Indies Choice Award for debut fiction.

It is difficult to express my gratitude and wonder.

Certainly it is thrilling to have the book be considered for the Pulitzer — this is an award with a long, rich, admirable history, and that history includes many of the very novels that made me want to be a writer.

That said, the knowledge that American booksellers, the people who are the life-force of the book world, who read voraciously, talk endlessly about books, and offer their expertise up to the world, often for very little pay or benefit  — that these booksellers would choose to champion my novel is the highest honor I can imagine.

I am no longer working at Fireside Books — my schedule with both The Snow Child and my novel in progress have become all-consuming. But after nearly 10 years there, I still think of it as a second home. I still think of booksellers as my colleagues, my comrades, my friends. And to you I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Cheers!

Eowyn

 

20 Comments

  • Well deserved. And, I can say I knew you way back when……

  • Much congratulations on all your well deserved accolades! I am very sorry that I missed the opportunity to tell you in person at your recent appearance at the Anchorage Library. I, of course, was out of town! I can’t wait to read whatever you publish next 🙂

  • Sue Mathis says:

    This is awesome, Eowyn! Congratulations! Heard a clip on the news the other night about The Snow Child being on the Pulitzer list and they referred to you as “EEEowyn EEEvey!” Duh!

  • Congratulations, Eowyn, much deserved!

  • Maggie says:

    I am so happy for you, Eowyn. What a great honor. What a great story!

  • Melissa Behnke says:

    Eowyn, how many times are you going to make me cry?! Congratulations! You deserve every honor you are being given.

  • Kathy Bonton says:

    i am so proud of you! congratulations, you deserve all the accolades you are receiving.

    ps iam sorry for the typos. i have lost the caps on my keyboard!

  • Wonderful news! So proud of you. Congratulations.

  • Nancy Bertels says:

    Congratulations Eowyn…how fun to know one of our own (a real Alaskan) is being recognized for a wonderful book.

  • Betty Rachel says:

    Guess you get another hug from me when I am beaming ear to ear for my dear friend. Know that us Betties have the pride of a mom when we see all you’ve accomplished!

  • Marlis Meyer says:

    Congratulations.  How absolutely wonderful. 

    From: Letters from Alaska >To: marlismeyer@yahoo.com >Sent: Friday, April 19, 2013 1:43 PM >Subject: [New post] A heart full of gratitude > >Eowyn Ivey posted: “Dear reader, bookseller, friend, I never imagined, when I received the shocking news this week that The Snow Child was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, that anything else related to my writing career would ever be so powerful and moving. ” >

  • Barbara Borg-Jenkins says:

    How wonderful for you! To be a first-time author and be recognized for a truly wonderful book….congratulations!

  • Barbara Phillips says:

    …tears of joy to my eyes to read about the wonderful awesome events swirling around you and The Snow Child. I am so happy for you, Eowyn! Congratulations to a well deserving young lady…yes, our very own Alaskan young lady.

  • Eowyn Ivey says:

    Thank you everyone!

  • sto2n says:

    Lovely news and your reaction is delightful. The Snow Child is powerful and moving.

  • sardav64 says:

    Well done Ewoyn
    When I was asked to read a proof copy of ‘the snow child’ in September 2011 to review for ‘we love this book’ I knew your book was special. I recently re-read it to discuss with one of the reading groups that I coordinate we had a really interesting discussion. Two of the group thought that Faina was a ghost, some imaginary and others just a normal girl that was more at ease in the wilderness. But everyone agree that whatever Faina was did not matter as the story was about Mabel and Jack and how the Alaskan landscape repaired their fractured relationship. Best wishes sarah

  • Donna says:

    “S math sin! Well deserved recognition for a beautifully done book.

  • Angela says:

    Congratulations Eowyn, well deserved. I first heard about your book when you were interviewed on national radio here in New Zealand. I noted it down as it sounded interesting, and I loved it!! I recommended it over and over to my book club friends and now many of them have enjoyed it too. I hope you win!

  • candyss fitzgerald says:

    I just finished The Snow Child. I have been reading all my life and this is one of my favorite novels. I was moved to tears and held fast through each and every page, character, setting, description. What a beautiful and captivating piece of prose. I am so glad I stumbled across this novel. It will forever stay in my heart and memory.

  • Paula King says:

    You deserve it — I selected the book for my club and it was the best-loved of the year — both men and women really appreciated the story and your writing & we had a great discussion — Thank you!