Some of these stories have taken many years to write. I have been baffled by the generosity and astuteness of their first readers and critics, as well as the patience and trust of their various publishers. The Arts Council of Ireland played an important practical role in facilitating my work on this collection.
My partner, Seán, dedicated thankless hours to reading and rereading these pieces in their rawest states. His insight often helped me to grasp the slippery heart of the stories they were to become. Without his contribution, certain paths may never have been taken, and without his care and more-than-co-parenting of our three children over the last months, this collection would have been even longer coming.
Thank you, Lisa Coen and Sarah Davis-Goff of Tramp Press, for friendship, time and invaluable feedback over the last years; Daniel Caffrey for championing the work, and providing both the pastoral and editorial care to see it through; John Hobbs for the constant encouragement and sound advice; Joseph Roche for giving me a first-hand account of his Mars One experience; Tom Morris for his quiet support, Colm Farren for his careful readings, Michela Esposito for her discerning and creative eye; Laura-Blaise McDowell for providing a refreshing dose of flippancy, Mary O’Donoghue for her persistent backing, and Eleanor Rees for her sensitive, diligent edits and much needed reassurance.
I am grateful to Marianne Gunn O’Connor for placing this collection, and to my agent, Lucy Luck for her unfailing enthusiasm and support.
Thank you, Antony Farrell of Lilliput Press, for publishing me in the first place, for true collaboration and open mindedness through this process, and for the dishwasher – a gift that has bought me hours of writing time.
Thank you, Neil Belton, for encouragement at a critical moment many years ago, and for your unwavering confidence in my writing. I feel honoured to have you as an editor and truly satisfied that this collection has found a home with Head of Zeus.