In Search Of The Soul Of Winter - A Collection Of Stories For Wintertime is a collection of nine original stories, written by Alexander and beautifully illustrated by his brother, Edward. The collaboration began in December 2014, and during each winter for the following ten years, the brothers met up for a week or two to work on the collection.
In the preface they write: ‘Our aim has been to create a series of worlds that we, and hopefully others, might want to enter; places to dwell in during the dark nights of winter, ideally with a hot steaming drink, and even better with the pages illuminated by firelight.’
Printed on recycled paper in the UK. Suitable for ages 7+
This Signed First Edition Hardback was released on November 21st, 2025.
‘If I keep walking into winter I am surely going to die,’ she thought. ‘Maybe death is all that I will find, and it is death that lies at the heart of winter’s soul.’
The mountains closed in around her. She came upon a cleft between two high cliffs and stepped within. It was a narrow passage, a path leading on through high rocks. It was sheltered there, the air was still and the snow lay soft and deep. Leaning on her stick she waded through the snow, her breath rising like mist into the icy air. Sometimes the cliff walls drew so close she could have touched both sides with outstretched arms.
The day was growing old when her path brought her to the far side of the mountains. It dropped towards a forest and all she could see beyond were trees that melted into grey mist. Limping slowly she descended to the edge of the forest and rested in the twilight.”
Extract from In Search Of The Soul Of Winter
“He came to the fabled place at midday; it was a small gathering of trees that stood alone in the wilderness. The sun was now covered by cloud and as Mr Tumnock entered the trees, eagerly searching ahead for his first glimpse of gold, it began to snow. He soon noticed a radiance ahead. Mr Tumnock had never seen such a beautiful light and it captivated him entirely. He stepped amongst it, gazing around.
‘So it is true,’ he whispered. For there, where the light was most lovely, the snowflakes that were falling were not white but gold.”
Extract from The Forest Of Golden Snowflakes