This book was conceived and first written in an unnecessarily secretive and ridiculously paranoid manner, because I am a ninny. That said, there are several people who subsequently helped me drag Dr Potter’s Medicine Show from the shadows. In no particular order, then, I’d like to thank:
My agent, the marvelous Jennie Goloboy, who plucked me from the query pile, graciously endured staggering amounts of my own naiveté and, with a keen eye, helped turn an adequate draft into a much better final product.
The splendid folks at Angry Robot: Marc Gascoigne, Phil Jourdan, Penny Reeve, Mike Underwood and Nick Tyler, for signing me on and being enormously supportive through all phases of the publication process.
Steven Meyer-Rassow, for fantastic cover art.
Lovely beta-readers Megan Fiero and Randi Mysse Ristau, and French translatrix Rebecca “Owens” Owens, for giving generously of their time.
My first two fellow-writer besties, Arianne “Tex” Thompson and Carrie Patel, for their invaluable advice and for squiring me around at writerly functions.
Photographic wizards Sol Neelman and Bob Cumming, for somehow making me look dapper in the pictures.
Delia and the much-missed Betty, my canine support unit, for barking at me, cuddling, and generally making me happy.
And, most importantly, Tara “Tata” Fields, for a long, long, long list of things. This book would never have seen the light of day without you.