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Ask the Author: Jonathan C. Slaght

“Ask me a question.” Jonathan C. Slaght

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Hello! Is it hard to leave the owls after so much work to find and tag them? Do you follow the families of the original owls (how long do they live)? Or are they not as monogamous (besides the one) as they seem in the book? I'm worried that I would become too attached in research and fret over them, or I would obsessively make wild family trees. Thank you, I loved the book (and that you narrated it)!
Jonathan C. Slaght Hi Madison, sorry for taking a year to see this and answer your question. We try as possible to follow individuals but it's tough--they live in pretty inaccessible areas where it's hard to check on them very often, and they are very hard to spot. In Japan, they use nest boxes and try to tag the chicks before they fledge, which makes it a little easier to track them over time. As for being hard to leave them after so much work to find and tag....not really. I want them to live their lives as unencumbered and unmolested as possible, so getting in and getting out and letting them do their thing is my goal. Thanks for your questions and again my apologies for the lateness of my reply.
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I loved listening to the audiobook! The writing is exquisite, and there's plenty of adventure! That's why I chose this title to discuss at my library's nonfiction book club. I'd like to include an author question to pose to discussion participants. Would you be willing to contribute a question?
Jonathan C. Slaght Mary! Here I am four years later seeing this question for the first time--clearly I need to check in with Goodreads more often. My apologies for the late and useless reply.
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I 1st went to Madagascar for ecology, got distracted by language, & then ended up going back to pursue my PhD by writing a grammar of a language there. On my last 2 trips there, I didn't even see a single lemur! You discuss some interesting linguistic issues here or there in Owls of the Eastern Ice—were you ever in danger of switching tracks as well? Were there any other linguistic anecdotes that didn't make the cut?
Jonathan C. Slaght Hi Tim, thanks for this interesting question. My first interests in Russia were in fact linguistic. I grew up in a diplomat's family, so every 2-4 years I found myself in a new country learning a new language. My introduction to Russia was part of one these moves, but I did not become enamored with the place until I visited the Russian Far East and saw that, with my combined interests in language and wildlife, I could make a niche for myself there. So for me, Russian language skills and interest in wildlife were always intertwined.
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I just finished reading Owls of the Eastern Ice and really enjoyed it. What are you working on now? I'm looking forward to your next book.
Jonathan C. Slaght Hi Debbie! Thanks for your kind words and sorry for my delay in response--your note slipped past me. I'm not working on anything right now to be honest. I'm only just emerging from the isolation of the pandemic, and hope to do some traveling soon. It's when I travel that I find the time and inspiration to write.
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I won your book and was wondering when it would be coming? Thank you. Marnie Ward My info: 609 Meade St, Rapid City, SD 57701
Jonathan C. Slaght Hello Marnie! I'm sorry you have not received your book. My publisher, not me, posted the giveaway and was responsible for mailing out copies to winners. I will pass your name and address along to them and ask them to check their records. My apologies, but that's the best I can do.
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Hi when will your book be available in the UK?
Jonathan C. Slaght Hi Jazzy! It is available now! Seems to be in stock in a number of places there.
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I won a copy of "Owls of the Eastern Ice" from good reads but never received my copy? I was really looking forward to reading this book. Judy Hershkowitz 4260 CR 509 # 883 Bayfield, CO 81122
Jonathan C. Slaght Hi Judy! I'm sorry you have not received your book. My publisher, not me, posted the giveaway and was responsible for mailing out copies to winners. I will pass your name and address along to them and ask that they re-send. My apologies, but that's the best I can do.
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I won an ARC of "Owls of the Eastern Ice," but never got it. Was it published?
Jonathan C. Slaght Hi Ann-Marie, sorry to hear that. I am not/was not in charge of sending those out--my publisher was. Please send me your contact info via personal message (not this public forum) and I will share your inquiry with the publisher.
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