"Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life."
Books have always been my friends, just as Paolini describes, but little did I know that one day I’d be lucky enough to call one of my favorite authors, Christopher Paolini, a friend too. Our friendship didn’t happen overnight—it started with a bit of boldness on my part when I jokingly declared us friends before he even had the chance to agree—but as of August this year, I’m happy to report that we’re officially on friendly terms. I even have his secret, unguessable email addresses.
Where It All Started
Words and Whimsy book club graphic from 2020
There’s a saying that you should never meet your heroes, but if your hero is Christopher Paolini and you live life "for the plot," I highly recommend it. We first connected in 2020 during an interview, bonding over our love of classic fantasy, world-building, and gaming. It felt like I had met a kindred spirit who understood the magic of these worlds the way I did. But what truly cemented our friendship was when he shared something unforgettable—the original first sentence of Murtagh: "A man with a dragon was never truly alone.", a first sentence that was moved ahead in the chapter after editing.
At that moment, I felt like I’d been granted access to a hidden corner of Alagaësia. It was like being let in on a secret that only true fans could appreciate, and I promised to keep it to myself—well, except for telling my grandfather, who first handed me Eragon back in 2003.
That first copy of Eragon still sits proudly on my bookshelf, worn from countless rereads. It’s a reminder of my admiration for Paolini’s journey from a Guinness World Record-breaking teen debut author to a literary legend. But beyond the global success of Eragon, it’s the personal conversations I’ve had with him—like hearing him talk about how sudden fame turned his life upside down—that deepened my respect for him, not just as an author but as a person.
Imagine being homeschooled in Montana and suddenly finding yourself in rooms filled with influential figures and legions of fans. It was life-changing and overwhelming, and hearing him reflect on that firsthand gave me a new appreciation for his resilience and humility.
Now, over two decades after Eragon was first released, I’m thrilled about the future of the Inheritance series and World of Eragon universe, especially with the recent release of Murtagh. But what excites me even more is a dream project I had the privilege of working on this year: a never-before-seen special edition of Eragon with Team OwlCrate. Huge shoutout to Cade, Alyssa, Teresa, and Korrina—you all made this happen.
OwlCrate’s Special Edition of Eragon
When I first pitched the idea to Christopher, I envisioned a classic, high-fantasy design that would capture the wonder and nostalgia of the original. When he said yes, I literally danced around my house.
From there, our team collaborated with an incredible lineup of artists to bring the vision to life. Karolina (aka Isvoc), known for their breathtaking dragon illustrations, created a cover that even Paolini himself said was "the closest anyone has come to depicting the Saphira in my brain."
Inside, you’ll find stunning illustrations by Robson Michel, intricate line art by Alice Cao, and stenciled edges crafted by Blue Illusion Art . This edition isn’t just a book—it’s a collector’s piece that honors the legacy of Eragon.
Of course, I can’t forget Cade from HeyAtlasCreative, who designed the elegant typography, the signed tip-in page, and the gorgeous hardcover foil inspired by the Domia abr Wyrda (Dominance of Fate), an in-universe book chronicling Alagaësia’s history.
Every detail in our edition of Eragon has been thoughtfully curated to celebrate the timeless magic of the story. The cherry on top? A bonus illustrated author letter and a bound-in illustration of Brom’s ring that Christopher generously added to the project.
Fun Fact about Eragon
Before I wrap this up, here’s a fun Easter egg for die-hard fans: did you know the word "meat" appears 41 times in Eragon ? That’s about once every 12 pages! It’s become an inside joke between Cade and I, and yes, we made sure all forty-one mentions remained in this special edition. You’re welcome.
I can’t wait for everyone to experience this new edition of Eragon —forty-one meats and all—and rediscover this beloved story in a way that celebrates both its rich past and its exciting future. Eragon will go on sale on November 21st at 11am PST / 2pm EST if we have any stock remaining following our early access sales. It’s a project of passion, from one fan to another, and I hope it brings as much joy to you as it has to me.
