Although this is a work of fiction, as always, I am indebted to many who were so generous and cooperative in sharing their knowledge and expertise while I conducted the research needed to build the universe of Hello, Summer.
Of course, Silver Bay is a speck on the map of the Florida Panhandle and exists only in my imagination. The Silver Bay Beacon is also a product of my imagination and was brought to life with the help of my old newspaper friends. Mega thanks to Andrew Meacham whose fascinating obituaries got me thinking. Dianne and Patrick Yost of the Georgia Morgan County Citizen, Bo Emerson of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Bert Roughton AJC emeritus, all of whom provided invaluable insight into the world of modern-day print journalism.
Many thanks also go to Albert Oetgen for his knowledge of network newsgathering, and Mara Davis for her insight into the world of radio deejays.
Huge thanks go out to Gwinnett County Medical Examiner Carol A. Terry, MD, and her staff who helped with the technical medical stuff, and also Carol Knox Lavender, RN.
Additional thanks go to Fire Chief Toni Washington and Assistant Fire Chief Ninetta Violante of Decatur Fire & Rescue for their firefighting expertise.
Leslie Anne Tarabella was my spirit guide in Fairhope, Alabama, while I researched small-town Gulf-coast life, who introduced me to former reporter Cliff McCollum, and Lori DuBose of WABF radio.
It’s been nearly three decades since I left newspaper journalism, but the friendships I formed, and the skills I acquired—reading upside down! Writing on deadline! Knowing the difference between robbery and burglary!—are ones I’ll always treasure. Writing Hello, Summer reinforced in me the absolute vital importance of a vigorous and independent press.
Speaking of treasures, my publishing team: literary agent Stuart Krichevsky at SKLA, marketing guru Meghan Walker of Tandem Literary, publicist extraordinaire Kathleen Carter, and all the folks at St. Martin’s Press, including but not limited to my publishers Sally Richardson and the essential Jennifer Enderlin. Thank you to Jessica Zimmerman, Tracey Guest, Erica Martirano, Brant Janeway, and as always, huge thanks to Michael Storrings, for another evocative cover.
My greatest blessing in life is and always has been my amazingly supportive family led by my husband, Tom; daughter, Katie; son-in-law Mark; son, Andrew; and the light of our lives, grandchildren Molly and Griffin.