I am grateful to the Arvon Foundation and the Jerwood Charity for their Young Writers’ Apprenticeships Award, which enabled me to get on with this novel, and to Stephanie Norgate for putting me forward for the award. Andrew Cowan was never less than brilliant as a mentor, editor and friend during the apprenticeship, and I can’t thank him enough. Thanks also to The South and the Arts Council for awarding The Pools a place on their Free Read Scheme. I am also indebted to David Swann, who was there and enthusiastic from the start; Lorna Thorpe, Naomi Foyle and Kai Merriott for their good advice; my agent David Riding, for not giving up; and my editor John Williams.

acknowledgements

I am grateful to the Arvon Foundation and the Jerwood Charity for their Young Writers’ Apprenticeships Award, which enabled me to get on with this novel, and to Stephanie Norgate for putting me forward for the award. Andrew Cowan was never less than brilliant as a mentor, editor and friend during the apprenticeship, and I can’t thank him enough. Thanks also to The South and the Arts Council for awarding The Pools a place on their Free Read Scheme. I am also indebted to David Swann, who was there and enthusiastic from the start; Lorna Thorpe, Naomi Foyle and Kai Merriott for their good advice; my agent David Riding, for not giving up; and my editor John Williams.

Nothing would have been possible, though, without the love and support of Hugh Dunkerley.