Acknowledgements

 

Often, the author thanks their collaborators, and then goes on to thank their families for putting up with them. Well I must have cured leprosy in a previous life or something, because for me, both of those groups are the same people.

The road to Oath Keeper was a convoluted one, with many twists along the way. Oddly, it was working on the cover that finally brought everything together for me, so for that, I owe a huge debt to my number one artist and number two daughter, Merridew.

While I’m off doing depraved things to nice characters, I have a staunch editor at my side, making sure I don’t leave any tear-soaked commas lying around once the weeping is done. It’s Fleur who keeps me on my grammatical and punctuarial toes, and that is only the least of the reasons for which I’m glad I married her.

There wouldn’t even be a Methilien if not for my number one daughter, Brinna. As the original model for Tayna, she has seen it all—weird character arcs, implausible coincidences, abandoned story lines—and been a mountain of support throughout. More than just my right hand, if there is a keeper of Tayna’s soul, it is she.

Daughter Rigel continues to put up with a mentally absent father without complaint, and youngest daughter Tayna (yes, really) keeps me young too. (I can’t wait for her to read about her namesake.)

There are other folks who have made the journey easier, too. Folks like Caroline, Helen, and the rest of the gang at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon, whose support has been astounding; Suzanne Paschall, whose initial guidance helped Strange Places see the light of day; Agnitha, for that first, amazing review; and Will Carlson, whose infectious enthusiasm reminds me almost weekly why I do this, and who it’s all for.

Lastly, I want to thank my readers. Whether you’re a high schooler in Saskatoon, a librarian in Texas, or a bookseller in Kuala Lumpur, your emails and tweets have kept my imagination fed and watered since Strange Places first came out. Thank you for believing in Tayna. And thank you for coming on this latest journey, too. I really hope it melts your face.

 
Jefferson Smith
January 2014, Saskatoon