This book is for Harry Kirchner, and for good reason. A writer of fiction endures more rejection than any sane person should, but he said yes and then went to battle for me. Had he said no, I’d be someone different. I’ve said it before, but he changed my life, and I’m not sure how other writers share their gratitude for their editor, so I’ll simply say: I love the hell out of you, Harry. Till the bitter end, my friend.
Dan Smetanka needs to be thanked profusely. He is tough and cutting and quick and wickedly smart and deftly observant and wields tough love like no other. I’m certain he could make most of the guys in the shipyard cry if he wanted. Every word of criticism and insight was precise, and when he finally passed along his compliments I teared up. I’m humbled by you, Dan. Thanks for not giving up on me.
I need to thank Glen Chamberlain yet again. Without her my life would be a very lonely thing. I love you, I love you, I love you. Tom Barrett has to be included in that love. He shared his wisdom of horses with me, taught me how to rope (finally), showed me how to tie a hackamore. There are few men like him in the world.
Thanks to my mother and father, who still read every word I write. Thanks to Jenny Schumacher for her grace. Thanks to DB and Little Red, for clouting me on Broadway—you two make life better. For Andrew and Rialin, two people who make me better. For Abe and Abbie and their early reads and encouragement (and read aloud on rainy Northwest nights, I might add). And for Don Mancini, and one hell of a good elk-hunting story. I’d be a lousy person without you all.
I want to thank everyone at Counterpoint who worked hard on every aspect of this book. To: Laura Berry, Olenka Burgess, Barrett Briske, Wah-Ming Chang, Andrea Córdova, tracy danes, Rachel Fershleiser, Megan Fishmann, Vanessa Genao, Madelyn Lindquist, Yukiko Tominaga, and Kira Weiner. When I was on book tour for The Houseboat and my boys got COVID, everyone working on that book wrote to me and expressed their concerns and sympathies. I’ll never forget that.
A huge debt of gratitude goes to Al Heathcock. He’s a hero of mine and has been for a long time, and it’s more than a little surreal to have his appreciation for this book. Next time I’m in town, dinner and drinks on me, pal.
If my heart could be halved, one piece would go to Tøren, the other to Anders. There aren’t enough words in the world to tell you how much I love you. You boys are the best.
And ultimately, as it seems to be time and time again, for Madeline. You have the ability to arrest time and let us slow together. I’ve seen the stars swirl in your wake. The world has never looked brighter than after you’ve passed through it.