Once again this book would not have been completed if not for the many people who helped along the way. Both personally and professionally.
First of all, thanks must be given to Jelena Kondrashova for almost instant Russian translations. Also to Perri Collins at the Arizona Newspaper Association, Rob Keetch for allowing me to use ‘Dr Robert Beverly’, Cardiff Central Library for wifi and research materials, Will Elliott for the hours of wifi usage at the King’s (what will I do when it’s turned into a gastro-pub?), Frank Chadwick for answering questions and allowing me to take liberties with his creations, to my bosses at Untreed, Jay Hartman and KD Sullivan, who leapt on the chance to do a Space: 1889 series once I told them of the potential in such a project, and to all of Team 1889 (Gail, Mark, Louis, Frank, Joe, Steve, David and Betty). You guys have been amazing so far, and I suspect you will continue to be so. It has been, and continues to be, an honour to work with some of the best creative and professional authors, designers and editors in the business; I am a very lucky editor/author.
A special thank you must go to all those involved in the Noise Monster Productions’ audio series of Space: 1889 six years ago, for bringing me into the property so wonderfully. If it wasn’t for that unexpected opportunity then I would never have realised the potential of a prose series based on Frank’s wonderful RPG. In particular I must thank Helen Goldwyn for bringing Annabelle Somerset to vivid life in my 2005 Space: 1889 play, The Lunar Inheritance; her performance will always be recalled when I read of Annabelle in this eBook series.
And now a few personal thank you’s, to those friends who’ve listened to me rabbit on about this story so much over the last six months, and indulged my blathering about ant research. Especially Lisa Challoner (hey, house mate!), Traci-Anne (The Sister!), Ben Theobald (for hours and hours of intense conversation), Gary Russell (for the usual irreverence), Ross Anderson (we just don’t talk enough), Sharon Bidwell (just for the pure cheek that is she), Melinda Snodgrass (always supportive of my works, for she is the Mighty Mo), Andy Fenn (thanks, Dear, for the endless support and encouragement, big love to you always), Jarryd Little and Lisa Davies (you two have made me laugh so much lately—always be amazing!), Damian Larkins (a better man than he likes to believe), and so many others. Finally, to all those who’ve been pestering me for the second part of The Garden saga; a little more patience is all I ask of you, once this series is truly up and running I shall be returning to that dark world of mine.
Andy, 15th June 2011.