An author is nothing without her editors and I am blessed to have the wonderful Wayne Brookes and his team, and Alex Saunders and his team, at Pan Macmillan publishers taking care of me and my work. Along with freelance editor Victoria Hughes Williams, they take my creation and make it sing off the page. Thank you.
And, besides editors, others within the Pan Macmillan team work very hard on my behalf – Kate Green, publicist, and her team tirelessly arrange book signings, press releases and blog tours, and make sure I am taken care of while carrying out these events. And the sales team, who work so hard to get my book shelf-space. Thank you.
And thank you to my son, James Wood, who reads my work before I release it to anyone, making suggestions as he picks up on areas that may be a little flat or need to have more dramatic impact. Thank you. After your advice I feel confident to send my work on its journey to the publishers.
And thank you, too, to my agent Judith Murdoch, who is always there for me and always encouraging, as her signature words ‘Onwards and Upwards’ testify. Judith, you are simply The Best.
To my darling husband, Roy, for his love and support. And our children, Christine Martin, Julie Bowling, Rachel Gradwell and James Wood, their partners and the beautiful grandchildren, great-grandchildren and added family they have given me. And to my Olley and Wood families. All of you give me support, encouragement and above all, love. You all enrich my life. Thank you.
And to those who saw me to this point with their editing and book designing skills in my self-publishing days. You are never forgotten; without you I wouldn’t have made it this far: Rebecca Keys, Julie Hitchin, the late Stanley Livingstone, and Patrick Fox. Thank you.
But no acknowledgement is ever complete without giving my thanks to my very special readers. Especially to those who follow me on Facebook. Each and every one of you brings so much to me. Your eagerness for every book is such an encouragement, seeing me through many hours of writing. Your help with promoting me and my books is invaluable too. I wish I could name you all. Without each and every one of you, there would be no ‘Author Mary Wood’. You help me to achieve my dream. Thank you.
My love to you all x