Thanks must go to all those who have read and criticized parts of the many different drafts of CHUNG KUO over the twenty-eight years of its creating: to my good friends and ‘Writers’ Bloc’ companions – Evans, David Garnett, Rob Holdstock, Garry Kilworth, Bobbie Lamming, Lisa Tuttle and Geoff Ryman – for honing the cutting edge; to John Murry – alias Richard Cowper – both for sharing what he knew, and for long years of patient husbandry; to my brother Ian, much-loved, ever-enthusiastic; to Ritchie Smith, dear friend, drinking companion and ‘Great Man’; to Andrew Motion – for finding ‘A Perfect Art’ not so perfect and giving good reasons; and to my agents, Hilary Rubinstein, Clarissa Rushdie and Diana Tyler. Their comments and advice have helped me avoid many pitfalls and – without doubt – given shape to the final manuscript.
I would also like to offer thanks to Bruce Sterling for the inspiration given by his excellent novel, Schismatrix… and for five of his words, now embedded in my text.
I reserve special thanks for two friends whose encouragement, advice and criticism throughout have been invaluable: Brian Griffin for unerringly knowing (better than me sometimes) what I’m up to; and Robert Carter not merely for the introduction to Wei Chi and his patient and astute reading of the emergent book but for all the long years of friendship. To you both, Kan Pei!
To my editors, Nick Sayers at New English Library and Brian DeFiore at Delacorte, Nic Cheetham of Corvus and now to Sara O’Keeffe for taking over at the helm – I can only say thanks for the many kindnesses, and for making the whole business of editing so enjoyable. Their patience, cheerfulness and encouragement were more than I could ever have hoped for. To Christian Vander and Magma, for the music… Finally, thanks to my partner-in-crime, Brian Aldiss. If anyone’s shadow lies behind this work, I guess it’s yours. This is delivery on the Planetarium speech that time!
David Wingrove
December 1988/May 2012