Acknowledgements

When you have an idea that takes twenty years to come to fruition, there are a lot of people to thank.

Briefly:

Thanks to the various writing communities that read early drafts of this work including members of the 1996 Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop, the ‘Michigan Writing Group’ and the ‘Writing Women’ of North Carolina (Linda, Robin, Nancy, and Ashley). Your insightful comments nurtured the ideas in this manuscript.

Thanks to writing teachers: Maureen McHugh, Gregory Frost and Marjorie Hudson. Thanks for being there when I needed you most.

Thanks to recent beta readers: Sarah Tucker Jenkins, Val Nieman and Quanie Miller.

Thanks to my sister, Melissa: thank you for your continued belief in my ability to tell stories.

Thanks to my partner, Timothy. Thank you for being the most patient, encouraging, loving and kind person that I have known on the writing journey, and in life!

Thanks to Ana and Thea and the Book Smugglers Team. I am so grateful for your support and enthusiasm for giving this novella an opportunity to live and play in the world.