I owe my love of classical music in large part to my grandfather. Some of my earliest memories are of playing in the lounge on weekend afternoons while my grandfather sat mesmerized by the melodies and harmonies of Beethoven and Brahms, Schubert and Mendelssohn, no longer able to play his violin, but no less in love with the great composers.
At age six, I was given the choice between learning to play violin and piano. Despite knowing my grandfather was an accomplished violinist – or perhaps because I wanted to forge my own path – I chose to play the piano and thus music became an indelible part of my life, progressing from childhood hobby to serious academic pursuit, and eventually becoming my career. Even after my grandfather died, my parents continued to nurture my passion for music. I cannot thank my mom and dad enough for taking my love of music seriously and letting me pursue my dream – even if that dream took a detour and I ended up writing books instead of being the principal flutist for the Vienna Philharmonic.
Other people without whom this book would not have been possible are as follows: Wiz Green, who read a very early draft of this story and gave me wonderful feedback, feedback that has helped shape this story into the novel it is today. Jordy Albert, my lovely agent, who fell in love with my robots and believed in this story from the very beginning. Georgia McBride at Month9Books who ‘got’ this quirky romance when I wasn’t sure anyone would. Nichole LaVigne and my team of editors at Month9Books who have read and reread this novel almost as many times as I have in the hopes of making it as close to perfect as humanly possible. If only I had my own personal Saga-droid to sniff-out typos and errant commas. Terry Cronje, who is an outstanding artist and design genius, and the many music students with whom I had the pleasure of spending more than six years of my life both in South Africa and Finland, they have left me with so many wonderful memories of being in wind bands, ensembles and the orchestra – even when I was relegated to the percussion section and given the triangle to play.
My pooch, Lego, for breathing life into Glitch, and finally, my other half, Mark, who has not only put up with my authorly pursuits and been a patient technical advisor on all things ‘science’, but who has never ceased to encourage and champion my efforts no matter what. I love you more than words could ever hope to express.