It takes a village to write a book. I may have been the one at the keyboard, but there were many others who were with me every step of the way, and those who were there at various – critical – points.
Thank you to the publications who accepted some of these stories. I don’t have words for how important it was to me to have those first few stories accepted. Having a few ‘okay, I can do this’ moments along the way gave me the courage and conviction to continue.
Ryan O’Neill generously ceded to my near-begging to be my mentor. I knew you were the man for the job! Your gentle but astute feedback and insights elevated my work. Thank you for letting me dance in your shadow.
Ryan O’Neill also wrote an endorsement that made my heart leap and flutter, as did the delightful Michelle Wright (I’ll always wish we could have used your first response, Michelle!) and the super-supportive and kind Professor Donna Lee Brien. Thank you all for taking the time to read my work and put together your lovely words about it. It’s an honour to have your names on the cover of my book.
Dr Rosslyn Prosser held my hand through many dark days as I wrote the thesis that bore the fruit that is this book. Ros, you always knew just the right thing to say. Thank you for lifting me and listening to me.
Thank you to the University of Adelaide and the Department of English and Creative Writing. If my life was a book, things would start getting interesting the day my acceptance into the PhD program came in the post. That was the turning point and the beginning of many wonderful adventures and friendships.
Joanne Knott is a talented botanical artist. Jo, your drawing of a plane tree leaf was precisely what I had hoped to have on the cover of my book. Thank you for your beautiful work.
Kim Lock is a joy and a pleasure to work with. Kim, your cover design perfectly enhanced the gorgeous image of Jo’s leaf. Thank you. I hope to work with you on many more covers!
Zena Shapter went beyond the call to scramble together a gorgeous layout under challenging conditions. I’m indebted to you, Zena. I love what you did to make my words look like a real book.
Thank you to my writer’s group colleagues: Kristin Martin, Tom di Santo, Elaine Cain, Alys Jackson, Louise Friebe, Michele Fairbairn and Nicola McGunnigle. Your support has been invaluable and your comments on the many drafts this book has been through have made it immeasurably better. You rock, and you are my rock(s). Thanks for being my people.
Anna Solding, Publishing Director at MidnightSun Publishing, is a woman of unmatched bravery, determination, energy and imagination. Thank you for taking on this strange little project and facilitating a dream that I have had since I was seven years old. You are a treasure and a dear friend.
This book took seven years to write. That’s seven years of Mark, Ryan and Katy giving up their time with me so that I could follow this path and attempt to hold onto my sanity. And seven years of babysitting by my unfailingly supportive and always available parents, Ross and Hannelore Washington. Thank you all for giving me time and space, and for understanding what it means for me to be able to write.