An author is nothing without her editors and I am blessed to have the wonderful Wayne Brookes and his team, and Samantha Sharman and her team, at Pan Macmillan publishers taking care of me and my work. Along with freelance editor Victoria Hughes Williams, they take my creation and make it sing off the page.
To these I can add my son, James Wood, who reads my work before I release it to anyone. James finds the areas where I should have put more drama, or should cut as not needed. He suggests scenes that could be added, and after carrying out his suggestions, I feel confident in sending my manuscript out to my publisher to begin its journey.
And, besides editors, others within the Pan Macmillan team work very hard on my, and my books’, behalf: publicist Kate Green and her team tirelessly arrange book signings, press releases and blog tours, and make sure I am taken care of while carrying out these events. And the sales team, who work so hard to get my book shelf-space.
Thank you to you all, from a very grateful author.
And thank you, too, to my agent, Judith Murdoch, who is always there for me and always encouraging, as her signature words ‘Onwards and Upwards’ testify. Judith, you are simply The Best.
To my darling husband, Roy, for his love and support. And our children, Christine Martin, Julie Bowling, Rachel Gradwell and James Wood, their partners and the beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and added family they have given me. And to my Olley and Wood families. All of you give me support, encouragement and above all, love. You all enrich my life. Thank you.
And to those not involved in this book, but who saw me to this point with their editing and book designing skills in my self-publishing days. You are never forgotten; without you I wouldn’t have made it this far: Rebecca Keys, Julie Hitchin, the late Stanley Livingstone and Patrick Fox. Thank you.
But no acknowledgement is ever complete without giving my thanks to my very special readers. Especially to those who follow me on Facebook. Each and every one of you brings so much to me. Your eagerness for every book is such an encouragement, seeing me through many hours of writing. Your help with promoting me and my books is invaluable to me, and here I must mention two of you in particular: Beverley Ann Hopper and Anna Saul. Both go above and beyond to recommend my work, by sharing my posts, creating their own for me, and making sure all my news on events and book releases is spread far and wide. But all of you inspire me and bring so much to my life, by sharing yours with me and helping me in so many ways. I wish I could name you all. Without each and every one of you, there would be no ‘Author Mary Wood’. You help me to achieve my dream. Thank you.
My love to you all x