I think for a lot of people, 2020 is a year that will go down as one of the worst years experienced by those alive today. And while, with no end in sight, I watched the news in horror with climbing death tolls and was terrified for the people I love, for me personally, 2020 wasn’t terrible. I was incredibly lucky to not have been touched personally by any COVID deaths or serious illnesses, and I thoroughly enjoyed working from home. It was fun to spend so much time with my wife, actually eat meals together, and sexually harass each other at the “water cooler.” Although it was very hard not seeing the rest of my family for a year any place other than on a screen, it was nice to not be on the road for work all the time. I used quite a bit of this newly acquired free time to tap into my creative side and write my first book, Something Between Us.
When 2021 came along, the world started to open back up. I went back in the office and on the road but with a changed view of life and how lucky I am to have the life I have with my wife, our fur babies, our house, and our extended families. I also started writing this book…But then 2022 arrived. The year that I hate with a passion. I lost my grandfather, whom I lived next door to for my entire childhood and who was like a second father to me, only a couple of weeks into the year. I had a breast cancer scare, and I lost my best writing buddy, Citrus, our twenty-pound floofy orange cat. I also did all of this without my wife sitting next to me and holding my hand as she has done for every difficult thing we’ve endured in the last twenty-one years because she had to report for a deployment with the National Guard the day after my grandfather passed away. So to say I loathe 2022 doesn’t come close to expressing how I feel.
And yet the bright spot of it, what has gotten me through most of it, is what you are holding in your hands now: this book and everything that goes along with being a new author. Writing, editing, creating, attending events where I have been privileged to meet other authors and readers…all of this became my therapy this year.
So firstly, thank you to all of the readers in the world who choose to pick up one of my books. Without you, none of this happens, so you have my deepest gratitude.
Thank you to everyone at Bold Strokes Books who has taken a chance on me, supported me, and rooted for me. Rad and Sandy, thank you for continuing to allow me to chase my dream with you. A special thank you to my favorite editor, Barbara Ann Wright. I see so many writers online who dread getting their edits back and going through them. I love every moment that I edit with you. Your commentary makes me laugh until I cry (especially about Jennifer), and all of the work we do together makes my books a thousand times better.
Thank you to my wife, Kerri. You are my biggest fan, my constant source of confidence, my best friend, and not a day goes by that I don’t give thanks for you. By the time anyone reads this, we will be together again, but as I write this, we still have about a month and a half to go, and I could not wish these days to go by any faster than I already do. Thank you for helping me with ideas, plot points, homophones (looking at you, complement / compliment), and for always being my first and only beta reader. I’m grateful that you love me despite my numerous faults including but not limited to: how much time I spend writing, how much time I spend on the road or at the office, and how much I love wine. I love you with all of my heart, and although I love our video dates, I cannot wait until you are back in my arms. You are the reason I can write about love. It’s always for you.
To Citrus, the best writing buddy there ever was. You always tried to give me carpal tunnel, but your snuggles helped get me through my most difficult plot points. You were the goodest, sweetest boy, and your mommies love you so much.
Thank you to my entire family. Your support of both me and Something Between Us is nothing short of amazing to me, and I am so lucky to have all of you. Mom, your never-wavering belief in me since birth has always made me know I can do anything I set my mind to. Mom Angel, your hugs give me life, as does your steady support and love. Cheryl, it’s been so fun to be on writing journeys at the same time, but I’ve said this before, and I really mean it this time: You’re next. Dad, Catey, Mindy, you all are amazing, and I love you. Pop Fain, you were always the steady one, helping to guide us and reminding us that our family was special and to be treasured. You were right, and I am so grateful to have had you for thirty-nine years of my life. You are in my heart now and always.
To all of my new author friends who are too many to call out individually…I am so glad I found you. Or maybe I’m so glad you decided to adopt me. Kris, Ana, Morgan…my nugs. You have been rocks for me of late and I love you for it. I can’t imagine this writing world, or any world, without you.
To everyone I’m friends with on the interwebs…although we may not have met in person, your community and support mean more to me than you know. For those of you still working on your first stories, I know you can do it. For those of you who are strictly readers, thank you for being you and interacting. For those of you who provide mentorship and support, thank you for your generosity. I love this sapphic community, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.
Finally, to all the strong, badass women out there; all the women who have probably been called unsavory names behind their backs and behind closed doors; all the women who came before us to pave the way, the women I walk beside today and aspire to be like, and the women who will carry the torch into the future…thank you. I see you and we’ve got this. Kerri, Mom (Michele), Mom Angel, Mom Josie, Cheryl, Catherine, Malinda, Aunt Joanne, Deb, Beth, Heather, Karen, Jill, Kim, Teresa, Melanie, Karen, Allison, Julia, Adrienne, every author I know, and everyone else I’m running out of room to name, but you know who you are…Following your path and being badasses. I love you. I appreciate your confidence, your strength, your heart, and your willingness to persevere and overcome.