Well, now, looky here! Happy to see we’ve all survived another rowdy adventure. The trails were long and the dangers were thick, but we made it back into the light for now. We couldn’t have made it this far, though, without the helpin’ hand of several kind neighbors, good folks like:
Our agent, Brooks Sherman, who knows all the best roads to help two cowboys along. Brooks, we’ll always be grateful for your confidence in us, just like we’re thankful to the excellent team at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, starting with:
The brilliant Brian Geffen, our five-star, top-notch editor, who sees what we think before we even write it down. And Morgan Rath, our publicist, who steers us daily in the right direction. And we certainly can’t forget the great Christian Trimmer, the fella who makes it all go ’round. And to our other remarkable trailmates—Lauren Festa, Morgan Dubin, Liz Dresner, Mark Podesta—we can’t thank y’all enough. That goes double for:
Alexandria Neonakis, our cover and interior art illustrator, who never fails to amaze us with her incredible eye and dazzling imagination. Thank ya, Alex, for mixing all the best colors into our world.
We’re also mighty grateful to Ibeawuchi Travis Uzoegwu, who provided a thorough reading of the novel and offered his profound insights into Quinn Revels, as well as other characters and plot points. Ibe, you’re a dandy person, and our book shines even more because of your wisdom.
The same can be said of all the exceptional folks at the Wah-Zha-Zhi Cultural Center and Language Department, who have kindly opened their doors over the years to a couple of writers. Director Addie Hudgins, Cultural Specialist Jennifer Tiger, Language Director Vann Bighorse, Language Specialist Cherise Lookout, Language Teacher Alaina Maker, Mr. Harrison Hudgins, and anyone else at the Osage Heritage Center who assisted on the book’s cultural content—we’re so thankful for your help, your patience, your kindness, and, most of all, your friendship.
Brad peers around suspiciously. Say, Louis? We forgettin’ anybody?
Louis says: I suspect so, pard. I’d like to offer my thanks to Kimberly and the dogs for making my life so swell. I’d also like to thank my ma and pa, and my brothers and sister, for being so daisy all the time. I’d also like to thank my sprightly nephews and nieces, as well as my dandy in-laws—Cheryl, Brent, Jennifer, and Kevin—for being so supportive. And as always, I thank Lewis-Clark State College and my creative writing colleagues. What about you, Brad? Who else you want to thank before this here book closes?
Brad says: I’d like to give a special “much obliged” to my incredible wife and stepdaughter, Alisha and Chloe, who always give their full permission to let my imagination run amok. I’d also like to thank Roger and Pat Mullins for opening Bliss Books & Bindery in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and for making a debut author feel so welcome on the bookshelves. Friends, I’ll never forget your hospitality. Oh, and Clint Clausing, for playing all the best cowboy tunes at my book shindigs. Also, a mighty shout-out to the magnificent “Electric Eighteens” debut group of authors and illustrators, who’ve become great friends and colleagues and who pull me up by my bootstraps when I can’t take another step. I’d also like to thank my ma, Babs, and stepdad, Joe, for believing in my magic, and my pa, Jerry, for watching all the best Western movies with me when I was a boy.
We also extend our love and gratitude to the late Cindy Hulsey, general manager of Magic City Books in Tulsa, and co-founder/executive director of the Tulsa Literary Coalition. Cindy and her business partner, Jeff Martin, hosted the very first Legends book launch, and we’re mighty grateful for the experience. Friends, we’ll never forget your hospitality. We’ll do our very best to spread the light that Cindy carried daily.
Last but not least, we tip our hats to YOU, amazing reader. May your saddle be cozy, your pony strong and well-fed, and your trail free of trouble. We’ll see ya soon, when Keech and his Lost Causes ride again.