A big thank you to all the writing buddies who’ve given feedback on my work over the years. Including the many and varied members of Melbourne Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers, headed by the extraordinary Kat Clay. In particular Vicki Renner and Chris Foley who offered detailed feedback on a previous manuscript set in the world of The Shining Wall. Also much gratitude to Melissa Manning, Tim Byrne, Alex Fairhill, Chris Breach, Stephen Samuel, and Jennifer Porter (AKA The Cunt Collective members) who read and critiqued the opening chapters of The Shining Wall and are an endless source of support.
Thanks also go to everyone involved in the ACT Writers Centre HARDCOPY program for giving me the opportunity to connect with Barry Scott at Transit Lounge. And thanks to all at Transit for seeing the potential in my cloned Neandertal stories, in particular Penelope Goodes for her editorial advice.
Much love to the first reader of my manuscripts and builder of my fragile confidence, my husband and best friend Brad O’Gorman. Thanks for giving me the space and time to make this happen and for telling me when one of my characters is an annoying pain in the arse.
Also thanks to the second reader of my manuscripts and source of great encouragement, my scientist colleague and friend Andrea Muscat. She may not be a writer, but she knows what she doesn’t like.
Hugs and kisses to Quinn and Dexter for being my biggest fans and understanding that sometimes Mum needs to stay home and write rather than join them at the beach.
Finally, I’d like to thank Harvard geneticist George Church for coming up with the wacky idea of cloning Neandertals and catalysing the reactions within my brain that led to The Shining Wall.