Writing a novel can be an adventure in its own right. There are some moments when the waters are calm, and the jungle is quiet. But other times, the jungle closes in, and the river rises, racing through rocky canyons, cascading over treacherous waterfalls. At times like those, every adventurer needs someone to throw them a rope or offer them a hand, so I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the special people who accompanied Ash and me on this adventure.
I want to say a huge thank you to the brilliant Barry Cunningham for his advice and support, and for really loving stories. I feel proud to be a Chicken House author. Thanks to Rachel Leyshon who spent so much time patiently listening to my crazy ideas for Isla Negra, offered the right advice, and steered me in the right direction. Also to Rachel Hickman and Elinor Bagenal for so much hard work in making the book look fantastic and sending it out into the world. Thanks to my agent Carolyn for her honesty and guidance, to Bella for her priceless editorial support, and to Laura (for her patience!), Jazz, Kesia, Sarah and Esther for being awesome back at Chicken House HQ.
And, of course, I couldn’t embark on any adventure in Danworld without the lifeline of my first readers – my wife, my daughter and my son. Without them, I would have washed over that waterfall a long time ago.
And you. The reader. I want to thank you for losing yourself in my world.