Meet Sandi Krawchenko Altner

I am a former television news reporter, Titanic fanatic and a history geek. Currently, I’m interested in art forgery, Winnipeg during the Great War, and anything I can learn about life during the Gilded Age. Ravenscraig is my first novel.

I particularly love stories about rich people behaving badly.

My passion for early 20th century immigration history in Canada was sparked by the many colorful stories I learned about the growth of Winnipeg from my father and the stories I heard from my mother about how our family came to Canada. I descended from the Ukrainian immigrants that the Canadian government called “the stalwart peasants in sheepskin coats”. In 1896, my ancestors, Petr Strumbicky and his wife Irena Goyman and their five children were among the first group of 27 Ukrainian families to settle near Vita, Manitoba.

I am deeply thankful for the reader response to Ravenscraig and the many encouraging comments that have been shared with me. And yes, at long last, I can tell you there is a sequel that will be released in 2024. Please sign up for my newsletter for updates and help me settle on the title.

From The Author’s Mail

I was one of the judges for the Carol Shields Award. I just wanted to (finally!) say what a beautiful book you wrote. So compelling, a pleasure to read, and so meticulously researched! It was well-deserving of the prize. Mazel tov!

 Sidura Ludwig, author of Holding My Breath, Toronto

I lent my book to my 82-year-old father who just returned it today. He's a German immigrant who was a Winnipeg transit bus driver his entire working life in Canada and spent many a year driving in the north end. He LOVED your book, and that's high praise from someone who doesn't have English as his first language.

 Heidi Bock

 I finished your wonderful book this evening on the way home from the lake. As a Jewish Winnipegger, I knew that I would love RAVENSCRAIG from the first time I heard about it.

Having Grandparents who immigrated here from Eastern Europe about 20 years after your Ravenscraig characters came to the Golden Land I can appreciate the Jews who were the first and how horrible it was for them at the beginning. By the time my family arrived here, I would think that a lot of groundwork must have been done and although poverty-stricken they must have had more of a support system in place than your immigrants did.

I love the story of the allotment of acreage for those willing to farm. I love the story of the Zigman Family and how everything turned out so well for them, especially Maisie.

Ravenscraig is a wonderful saga. It even prompted me to take a slow joy ride through Armstrong’s Point, which I have never paid much attention to in the past.

Thank you Sandi for providing me with such a good story.

Anyway, I would love to know if you ever consider writing a sequel...I would love to know the future of all of the families and individuals. I actually believe that your story would make a great television miniseries. Thanks for hearing me out! Enjoy life! When you are back in Winnipeg and you get hungry during the day I would love to invite you to my Deli for a sandwich and a bowl of soup, (another reason I love the Zigman family).

Marla Bernstein - Winnipeg Bernstein’s Deli

 

I was reading Ravenscraig while in line at the grocery store cash register and I was so taken with the story, I had tears. The manager offered me a chair, so I could weep in comfort while I finished the chapter.

Janet, Montreal