Unusual roots, this book has. Mage began as a novella for Eric Flint, eleven years earlier. Thinking it’d be science fiction, I set aside time for it, only to learn it had to be fantasy. Since I’d yet to write more than a short story, I—hesitated.
For one thing, I’d no ideas. (Other than my imaginings of what would become A Turn of Light.) Then I flipped through our Lee Valley Tools catalog and read about pens. I became consumed with the notion of written magic, of pens and inks, and of magic that lived. All of which would have stayed there, as the novella, except that I loved the concepts and world with such passion, I told my editor-dear, Sheila Gilbert (of two Hugos, yay!), I’d inadvertently discovered a book. She agreed with me.
Thus I published a novella, thanks to Eric, that was noticeably the start of a novel*, thanks to Sheila, and present you now with the rest.
Roger Czerneda, my other half, created the concept for the cover of this book. We went on a hunt for pens and inkwells for him, and me, to use. Yes, the glass pen featured in the story is real and came from The Kitchen Witch in Dundas, Ontario. The inkwell? Also real, and found at Rideau Antiques, possibly the oddest collection of stuff anywhere. Katie Anderson, of Penguin Random House, added her talents to finalize the cover design. The result is breathtaking and exactly right. Thank you both!
Mage kept adding unusual twists. In the midst of writing it, I broke my right wrist. Thanks to Dr. Anderson and Shawn, the amazing cast maker, I was able to keep typing—encouraged to do so, in fact—finishing the book days before the cast came off. Whew!
Which meant Roger not only had his work to do, but me in his care for two full months. I couldn’t have done the book (or my shoelaces or bottle tops or . . . ) without his cheerful, unceasing comfort and help.
2018 was such a busy year for projects and family joys I curtailed my events. That said, I did some spiffy things with wonderful folks. I was a guest author for the Pixel Project’s Read4Pixels Campaign to help end violence against women, ably helmed by the remarkable Regina Yau. Anushia Kandasivam helped me through the live video hangout, my first, and Steve Drew was there when I plunged into reddit/r/fantasy and did an AMA (ask me anything). Fundraisers need donors and I thank the following generous souls from the bottom of my heart for picking my items: Michelle Dubie Mitchell, Helen Merrick, and Wendy Shark. (And thanks for your patience with my cast, the postal strike, and all else.) Wendy? I hope you enjoy your Tuckerization as Wendealyon. Thanks for providing some intriguing quirks.
I was a featured writer at Smiths Falls Library’s Open Door celebration, along with the splendid Marie Bilodeau. Thank you Karen Schecter, Sally Smith, Katie Hoffman, and others for your warm hospitality and assistance. Rhonda Parrish, thanks for inviting me to participate in your Giftmas food bank project. Bravo!
I’d no time to do publicity, but others stepped up for me. Edward Willett hosted me on his Worldshapers’ podcast. Thanks, Ed! Special thanks to Lauren Horvath, Alexis Nixon, and Leah Spann for their hard work and enthusiastic promotion of my books. Lauren was instrumental in finding me terrific hosts online and reviewers. Thank you! Hugs to bloggers Rebecca Fischer (BookGirlsBookNook) for her love of Esen, Andrea Johnson of LittleRedReviewer for everything plus the Mage cover reveal, and the marvelous Paul Weimer for being there as well as here. Sara Megibow? You’re incredible. Thank you for everything. And yes, I’ll keep thinking up questions.
A special hug for Joshua Starr, who helped me through the final details of this book. You, sir, are a treasure.
Can*Con was again fabulous. Kudos to all involved! I’d like to thank the concom for graciously allowing Kevin Hearne, Kate Heartfield, Richard Larson, and me to take over the consuite for our “Shenanigans Book Launch.” Such fun!
To all who came to my first-ever reading, at World Fantasy no less, from Mage and sat in stunned silence when I finished? Thank you!!!! That was epic.
Scott, I promised to put you in a fantasy novel. (Moms can do that.) Here you go! All the fine characteristics of Leksand’s are true to life, so go ahead and blush. Oh, and thanks for your help with my dialects.
Last and never least, to our family. Proof the heart grows, the more you put in it.
—Julie