Grandmother's Childhood Christmas Memory Inspires Novel

CONTACT: John Snyder
410-721-4447

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE: October 1, 2000      
Grandmothers Childhood Christmas Memories Inspire Novel

A few years ago at Christmastime, while visiting his grandmother, Anna Snyder, in LaVale, MD, John Snyder began asking her about her childhood, about her Christmas memories, and what it was like growing up in the early 1900s in Meyersdale, PA. As they sat at the kitchen table eating left-over Christmas cookies and sipping their coffee, the elder Snyder told her grandson about one Christmas, in particular, that was her most memorable.

Snyder was intrigued by the tale his grandmother told him. So, after their visit, he drove from LaVale to Meyerdsale with his wife, Ruth Ellen and his two daughters; Nikki and Carli, to visit the small western Pennsylvania town where his grandmother grew up, and where his father was born.

The town remained much as Snyder remembered it from his childhood visits there to see his great-grandmother, Elda Beal. When he arrived at the address of his grandmothers memories, Snyder discovered that the house was gone and the lot vacant. As he stood there in the snow, he tried to visualize his grandmothers childhood home as he replayed her story in his head.

On the 3 ½-hour drive back to his home near Annapolis, MD, Snyder couldnt stop thinking about the story. As he tapped his finger on the steering wheel in time to a Christmas tune playing on the car stereo, the idea occurred to him that he should write down the story his grandmother told him so his children would always have her Christmas memory. Hopefully, they would pass it along to their children -- and the story would live within his family forever.

Over the next few years, Snyder wrote and re-wrote different versions of the story, adding to it and elaborating on the tale. What started out as a short story for my daughters, ended up as this164-page hardcover Christmas gift book entitled THE GOLDEN RING, said Snyder. Some of the story is true, some of it is fiction ... but the message is for real," He revealed.

The advancing age of Snyders grandmother served as strong motivation for him to complete the book. I wanted to get the book finished and into her hands so that she would have the joy of seeing her childhood Christmas memories in print," Snyder said. Although she was in remarkably good health for someone ninety years old, I knew that soon, time would take her from us ... and it did."

Ironically, Snyders grandmother passed away just days after receiving a copy of the finished book. The last photograph taken of her was by a newspaper photographer who was doing an article about Mrs. Snyder, and the book written by her grandson - An article that, sadly, she would never get to read.

I remember how beautiful she looked that day. I remember the joy in her eyes when I gave her the book. We buried my grandmother on November 24, 1999 - the day before Thanksgiving. With her, we buried her copy of The Golden Ring," the author said.

Just before Thanksgiving last year, Snyder released THE GOLDEN RING into a handful of bookstores in the Washington, DC area and in Western Maryland. The book, and the story behind it, quickly became the subject of numerous newspaper articles and radio interviews. Within weeks of its release, THE GOLDEN RING became one of the most sought after books in the stores where it was available.

The two weeks leading up to Christmas 1999, THE GOLDEN RING was the #1 best selling book at a number of bookstores in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, and in western Maryland; outselling all of the books on the New York Times Bestseller List in some stores.

People stood in long lines at book signings to have Snyder personalize their copy. Mr. Snyder is exceptional at putting his book into the shoppers hand while enhancing the cheer of the season," said Sarah Launius, Community Relations Coordinator at Borders Books & Music in Bowie, MD. His readers lovingly express the joy his story has given them."

Snyder recalls going to one book signing and seeing a long line leading from the front doors of a bookstore to the signing table near the rear of the store. I thought perhaps there was a well known author who had a signing before me and that there was still a line," Snyder said. The closer I got to the signing table, it became more apparent that all those people were there for me. I signed books, one after another, for a solid hour and a half without a break. What a tremendously gratifying feeling." He said.

Snyder was surprised at how deeply his book touched many of those who read it. I receive many letters, e-mails and telephone calls from readers who have the nicest things to say." At book signings, some were moved to tears when telling Snyder how deeply they were touched by the story.

The story is set in a small Pennsylvania town in the year 1918. It takes readers back to a nostalgic era when times were simpler. THE GOLDEN RING is a touching Christmas story about giving, faith, love and loss. It is a good, wholesome story that has family appeal," said Snyder. People of all ages, both men and women, have told me they have enjoyed the book tremendously."

For the past twenty years Snyder has owned a public relations and advertising firm. Though he writes magazine articles and news stories routinely as part of his job, this is his first book.

There are so many fascinating stories that the older generations can tell us about what life was like back then," He said. All we have to do is ask them to tell us, and then listen. These stories of the early lives of our parents and grandparents are being lost. Every time an older person dies, they take piece of history with them. We need to get these stories out so we can pass them along to our children. That was one of the reasons I wrote this book," Snyder continued.

Sales of THE GOLDEN RING for the up-coming holiday season promise to be even better than a year ago. Because of the books local success last year, it has been picked up by the major book chains and is being marketed on a national basis. FAMILY CIRCLE MAGAZINE will feature the book in its December issue, which will be on newsstands November 14th.

Snyder tirelessly promotes and markets his book, everywhere he goes. I want to become known as the hardest working author in America," he said. With over eighty-five book signings scheduled to promote his book, hes well on his way.

THE GOLDEN RING is published by Mountain Breeze Publishing and is being distributed, nationally, by The Ingram Book Company. It is available at Borders Books & Music, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, B. Dalton Books, Crown and Super Crown Bookstores, Hastings Books, as well as at other independent bookstores and chains. It is also available on Amazon.com and at www.thegoldenring.com. By visiting the books web site, readers will have the opportunity to read the prologue, plus the first three chapters of the book, on-line. They will also be able to learn more about the author, and his motivation for writing the book. The site has copies of the numerous articles written about the book and author, as well as, comments from readers. The site lists the times, dates and locations of up-coming book signings, allows readers to leave their comments, and to order on-line. For more information about THE GOLDEN RING, call (410) 721-4447.

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