Upcoming French-language edition of John Haines’ book, “The Stars, the Snow, the Fire,” to be illustrated by me, Ray Bonnell

I’m a horrible procrastinator and have been working frantically to complete a special project. I didn’t want to jinx myself by talking about it before it was completed. My part of the project is done and I can let the cat out of the bag now.

John Haines’ cabin as seen from the Richardson Highway

Early next year the French publisher, Editions Gallmeister, based in Paris, will be publishing a new French-language edition of  “The Stars, the Snow, the Fire: twenty-five years in the Alaska Wilderness ,”  a book of essays written by Alaska writer, John Haines. The book will be illustrated with 20 of my drawings.

The view from the top of the ridge above the Haines homestead

Editions Gallmeister has been publishing literature penned by American authors since 2006. Its first book was “The Stars, the Snow, the Fire.” To
celebrate the publisher’s 10-year anniversary it is publishing another edition of this classic nature book.

Interior view of John Haines’ cabin, looking out over the Tanana River Valley

One of the publisher’s staff saw the drawings I did of John Haines’ cabin and of the view of the Tanana River Valley from the ridge above his homestead, and invited me to illustrate the book. How could I refuse? Many of the drawings I have posted recently were done for the book.