THE HERALD MAIL
November 8, 2001
A
father’s gift sparks a Christmas story about love
John
Snyder will be in Hagerstown Thursday, Nov. 15, signing copies of his book,
“The Golden Ring.”
Book
signings are something he’s done a lot – 93 times last year.
He scheduled 55 signings between Oct. 19 and Dec. 23.
“The
Golden Ring” is Snyder’s version of a story his grandmother, Anna Snyder,
told him once upon a Christmastime visit to her Western Maryland home a few
years ago.
As
Anna Snyder shared stories of her early 20th century childhood in
Meyersdale, Pa., her experiences of one particular Christmas touched her
grandson.
Over
the next few years, Snyder turned his grandmother’s memories into a book.
Set in 1918 western Pennsylvania, Cumberland and Brunswick, Md., the
book’s central theme is about giving and the lasting value of love.
But the story runs on tracks of the B&O Railroad.
Anna’s father, Joseph, was an engineer.
In
November 1999, Snyder self-published 5,000 copies of “The Golden Ring” and
distributed it in Western Maryland and Washington, D.C.
More than 2,500 copies sold in a little more than six weeks.
He
released the book nationally last year, selling 24,000 copies between October
and Christmas. Publisher Warner
Books picked up “The Golden Ring” in September, releasing 60,000 copies.
Snyder,
humble about his persistence and marketing abilities, says, he owes all of his
success to Anna Snyder.
He
considers himself lucky to have made that Christmastime visit to his
grandmother. He says it’s a
blessing to have the stories of his family’s older generation. “That’s our real history,” he says.
In
his book’s prologue he encourages readers to ask grandparents and parents and
aunts and uncles to share their Christmas memories. Often, they don’t think it’s important to tell the
stories. They don’t want to
“bother” the busy younger generation.
Anna
Snyder, whom John Snyder credits with being his technical adviser, answering
questions about day-to-day life in 1918, celebrated her 90th birthday
on April 11,1999. Snyder was able
to present her with a copy of his book a few days before she died in November of
that year.
Snyder
says he has a lot of special Christmas memories. Whether or not you believe in Christmas, it gives you peace in
your heart. “It brings out the
best in all of us,” he says.
He
is happy that he has been able to share his grandmother’s Christmas story –
and it may be shared even more broadly. He’s
had some interest from producers exploring a movie version of “The Golden
Ring.”
John Snyder will sign
copies of “The Golden Ring” Thursday Nov.15 5 to 9 p.m. at Borders Books and
Music, 17636 Garland Groh Blvd., Hagerstown.
For information, call
301-745-5897
For more information about
the author and his book go to www.johnsnyder.net.
on the web.