To all the readers and supporters of Unsigned Hype, thank you. Your words of praise for that novel served as an encouragement as I labored through the writing of this manuscript. To Adrienne Ingrum and Andrea Doering—you both gave remarkable insight and guidance at crucial stages of the development of the story. To Jessica Miles—once again you pushed me and the story to the next level. To Nathan Henrion, Michele Misiak, Twila Bennett, Cheryl Van Andel, Deonne Beron, Rob Teigen, Claudia Marsh, and the rest of the team at Revell/Baker—it has truly been a pleasure working with you.
Thanks to Dr. Kevin Cokley, Stephanie Allain Bray, Victoria Christopher Murray, Lisa Cortes, and Terrie Williams, by way of Carol Mackey, for the snappy blurbs. Thanks to my cousin Dr. Ken Boyd for schooling me in the ways of dental implants, bridgework, and their attendant costs. Thanks to David G. Evans, Esq., and Martin Lynch, former president of the New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association, for the information on sentencing in New Jersey. Thanks, Mac the doulos, for the verse that inspired OGC’s snitching mantra. Thank you, Thembisa Mshaka, Pete Rock, and Laura Carr, for the detective work.
To Stacy Hawkins Adams, Roburta Burroughs Massenat, Holly Flood, Je’Nein Ferrell, Tanya Steele, Toyi Ward, and Shawneda Marks—your comments on early drafts of the manuscript were exceedingly helpful. To Mom and Bump, the real-life Grammy Lee and Daverne, Chyance and Tasha, Eddie and Adrienne, Khary and Precious, Charlie and Janice, Danny and Anita, Wells and Holly, Christine and Michael, Daron and Precious, Dr. Young, Margie, Kelly, Toni, Lillian, Shirley, Sonya, and Maurisa—your material and moral support kept me afloat as I navigated creativity’s choppy and often desolate waters.
And to my muse—my wife, Angela, and my incredible children, Lee, Jean-Angel, Truth, and Justice. Were it not for the lively and often raucous home environment, how would I have gotten anything done! Bill Reilly, thanks for teaching me so much about writing, characterization, and subtext. Your legacy will live on in my work and in my teaching. Rest in peace, my friend.
Finally, and most importantly, to the Ancient of Days. You are faithful even when I am not. What’s next? I’m eager to hear.