Acknowledgments

It is a well-worn cinematic cliché that writers labor alone, hunched over a typewriter with nothing but their talent and their muse, producing manuscripts that explode fully formed from their foreheads. As with so many film fictions, this bears little resemblance with reality and Vulcan’s Forge is no exception.

A fully exhaustive list of the persons instrumental in producing this novel would test the patience of the most well-balanced individual but allow me to take a few moments to thank at least a few, while recognizing I do an injustice to all those I have failed to mention by name.

My editor, Don D’Auria, not only provided that critical guidance every writer needs but also shares my love for the classic folk-horror film The Wicker Man. Nik Keevil, who produced this lovely cover, and the entire staff of Flame Tree Press, who have done a terrific job in making my book better.

I can’t thank enough Maryelizabeth Yturralde and the entire staff of Mysterious Galaxy for supporting new and emerging local authors.

And finally, my fellow scribes at The Mysterious Galaxy Writers Support Group. I subjected them to early versions of this tale and they never failed to be supportive while providing true gold for any artist: honest feedback.