GIVING THANKS is fraught with peril because it is impossible to list every person who played a role in the birthing of a book. But I will try and, if your name does not appear here, you know who you are and I am deeply indebted to you.
Many thanks to those passionate, brilliant editors of the presses, literary journals, and anthologies that published these stories for the first time. I specifically and proudly acknowledge your publications, by name, at the end of this book.
I deeply appreciate the enthusiastic response I received from the fine folks at the University of Nevada Press when I submitted this manuscript for consideration. I know many proposals come in each day, so it meant that much more to me that you moved with such alacrity in completing the peer review process and then making the offer to publish. I have enjoyed reading your titles throughout the years. It’s a delight to be part of the family. And a million thanks to my copyeditor, Robin DuBlanc! I could not have asked for a sharper eye or a more thoughtful collaborator.
A big Chicano abrazo to the many gifted and committed writers who have encouraged and inspired my literary life. And as I have done so often before, I offer additional thanks to my fellow bloggers at the online literary site La Bloga: You never fail to offer communal support for our curious vocation.
As for my day job, I offer thanks to my friends at the California Department of Justice who have read my books and attended my various book readings. You continue to help me integrate my life as a lawyer with that of an author. You have also inspired some of the fiction in this collection, especially “Good Things Happen at Tina’s Café.” Together we have worked hard for the people of California, and we have watched our former boss take her seat in history as the first woman of color to become vice president of the United States. Sometimes dreams do become reality.
I thank my parents, who always made certain that we were a family of books and that we freely used our library cards. You taught your children to love and appreciate reading, the arts, and our culture. I know that my father is looking down and smiling at his son who became a writer. I love and miss you, Pop.
Finally, I thank my wife, Susan Formaker, and our son, Benjamin Formaker-Olivas. As I have said before, I am nothing without you. I hope that you enjoy my new book.