To my parents, Donna Smith and Will Lafferty, who provided to a young writer the Time-Life fantasy books, the Brother word processor, and the love and encouragement she needed to thrive. I love you both so much.

And to Ursula Vernon, who provided to an older writer a last-minute road trip, a beignet-stealing adventure, and a swamp tour in which a misinformed guide learned about ivory-billed woodpeckers.