Individual success can have ripple effect on a local economy

PALMER — When Ewoyn Ivey began writing “The Snow Child,” she had modest hopes for her first published novel.

“Really, genuinely, I hoped I could find a small, independent publisher and get it out in the world somehow, maybe throughout the Pacific Northwest,” she said. “But I never dreamed it would get beyond that.”

With sales of “The Snow Child” in hardback, soft-cover and ebook approaching 500,000 copies and international recognition — including the U.K. Book Award as International Author of the Year — Ivey has become one of the literary industry’s newest rising stars.

In fact, the Palmer author has recently returned from a meeting with her publisher in New York City with a deal to write her next novel.

“It is very exciting,” she said of the whirlwind acclaim of “The Snow Child” and the pressure to follow up on that success. “It’s a work in progress. … I think in a way I feel a certain level of pressure (because) I don’t want to disappoint people who have enjoyed ‘The Snow Child.’ But I also want to branch out in new ways and try different styles of writing.”

Far from disappointed, Neal Fried recently read “The Snow Child” and commented at a Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce meeting about how efforts like Ivey’s can have a ripple effect on a local economy. In a follow-up interview with the Frontiersman, he explained that while it’s difficult to quantify the impact, one shouldn’t undervalue positive exposure and being an ambassador for the state and her hometown.

“I just read the book three weeks ago. I just loved it,” he said. “I think it’s one of the best-written books by and Alaska author. She’s the best export from the Valley.”

From a tourism standpoint, ambassadors like authors and artists can make a difference, Fried said, an economist with the state Department of Labor.

“Obviously, in certain places they have a very significant impact, like where there’s a book with a location that makes it an attraction,” he said. “When I was talking about (Ivey’s) book, I don’t know how you would measure that. It’s just another positive for Alaska and it’s just hard to measure, but I’m sure it’s real.”

The success of “The Snow Child” also comes at a time when the rest of the Lower 48 and the world are hyper-aware of Alaska, with numerous reality television shows spreading the footprint — positively and negatively — of the Last Frontier.

“Does ‘Alaska State Troopers’ make people say, ‘Gee, I shouldn’t go up there?’ That’s a good question,” Fried said. “I don’t doubt all this coverage we get reminds people there is a state up there and some of it’s positive free advertising. The awareness of Alaska is so much greater than it used to be.”

While that global awareness is good for local business, Ivey said she’s still just a small-town Palmer girl at heart.

“It makes me feel really good to get home,” she said about her whirlwind international tour promoting her book. “I love the Palmer area, and if by some fluke I can do something that helps out, it makes me really happy. … It’s fun doing the travel and stuff, but it’s not my hometown, it’s not the people I know.”

Ivey’s impact on the Palmer business community has been noticeable, said Denise Statz, owner of Non-Essentials. Her store is next door to Fireside Books, where Ivey worked and where she’s hosted local book events for “The Snow Child.” When people come to Fireside because of Ivey, they also find their way into other downtown stores, Statz said.

That Ivey is a local woman who’s well-known in the community — she worked as a reporter and editor for the Frontiersman for many years — helped create an atmosphere of celebration related to her success, Statz said.

“We see a distinct, direct impact when they do events,” Statz said. “When Eowyn’s book came out originally, there was a dramatic increase in traffic in downtown. People had really been waiting for the book and were thrilled with the prospect. As the book has gained so much traction, it’s been ongoing — and not just local.”

Ivey said she’s enjoyed the reception “The Snow Child” has received, and hopes her fans will appreciate her next effort, which she said will be set in Alaska with some “fantastical elements,” but it won’t be a “Snow Child” sequel.

Oh, and what’s “the best export from the Valley” reading herself these days?

Ivey said she’s reading “Unbroken” A World War II Story of Survival” by Laura Hillenbrand with her local book club.

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.