In 1897, the Klondike Gold Rush draws dreamers, schemers, and fortune-seekers north. Among them are Elizabeth “Liz” Byrd, a determined journalist writing under the pen name Paula Finch, and Tom Hawk, a restless engineer from Chicago chasing a new life in the Yukon.
As Liz fights to be taken seriously in a world of male correspondents and Tom struggles through the brutal realities of the trail, their paths lead through steamships, frozen rivers, boomtown rumors, hungry winters, and the dangerous promise of gold. Around them, the North is changing by the day, filled with real historical figures, desperate choices, and secrets buried beneath the snow.
Finch and Hawk: The Klondike Letters is historical fiction told in an unusual way: through 24 physical envelopes mailed to readers over time. Each envelope works like a chapter and contains letters, diary pages, newspaper clippings, advertisements, and other period-inspired artifacts, creating a tactile story experience readers can unfold piece by piece.
History comes alive through an interactive set of letters and activities centering around the rush for gold in Alaska.
Finch and Hawk: The Klondike Letters unfolds in 24 letters, typically designed to be received twice a month. Creators Alona Umansky and Aleksey Linetskiy combine letters, postcards, puzzles, and other memorabilia to bring the time period to life.
While Paula Finch (aka Elizabeth Byrd) and Tom Hawk are fictional, their experiences with the Klondike gold strike are rooted in history. A helpful QR code links to the story companion for more historical information.
Not only are the puzzles and word games from the time period, but as a female reporter, Lizzie is much like Nellie Bly and faces similar challenges as a female in a male-dominated field. Tom, on the other hand, wants to strike it rich but soon faces difficulties.
Each letter contains a guide to the contents and suggested reading order. Because of the varied content, the story remains fresh as the two main characters navigate the harsh reality of the brutal environment and the people determined to tame it.
Finch and Hawk: The Klondike Letters offers an exciting hands-on opportunity to navigate history through multiple modes of delivery.
Alona Umansky and Aleksey Linetskiy are the authors and creators of Finch and Hawk: The Klondike Letters. Longtime collaborators, they have spent years creating story-driven interactive experiences, with narrative at the heart of their work. Their shared memories of receiving letters as children, and the anticipation and warmth that came with them, inspired Tin Box Letters and its unusual approach to storytelling through physical correspondence. Together, Alona and Aleksey research and write their stories, drawing on their love of history, immersive worlds, and richly detailed characters. They live in New Jersey with their kids, where they continue to create stories that invite readers to step into another time and experience it from the inside.
