Many thanks to Lorna Crozier, my caring and exacting MFA supervisor, who encouraged and guided Lake of Two Mountains from its inception. Without her, this project simply would not have been realized. Appreciation also to other members of the University of Victoria’s Creative Writing Department, both fellow students and faculty, especially Tim Lilburn and John Barton. Much gratitude to Sue Chenette, my very thoughtful editor, who helped to shape the final version. To my sister, Donna Sharkey, who understands the childhood experience of the Lake better than anyone I know, many thanks for being there. Thanks to the people of L’Île-Cadieux, especially the mayor, his wife and the town’s secretary for their efforts to find accommodation for me; Pat for her friendship; and Lucille and Francois for their hospitality. And always, enduring gratefulness to Chris Fox, my companion and first reader for so many years.
Thanks also to Ursula Veira of Leaf Press, editor of the chapbook anthology, What Else Could I Dare to Say, where “Whether Wind” first appeared.