Like the shifting sands of the Mojave, the publishing business is changing by the hour. So too the experience of bringing a story to market. Yet, amid all of this confusion, the act of infusing life into a story remains one of the heart, unchanged, constant.
And the people who populate my world, who love me in spite of myself, who support, encourage, commiserate, inspire, who critique, brainstorm and applaud and who buy wine … they remain the bedrock upon which I find the courage and the fortitude to keep writing these stories. The mention they receive here can’t possibly compensate for all they do, all they give, but perhaps it’s a start.
A heartfelt thank you to:
My kids: TYLER and LISA COONTS. They remind me everyday that no matter how the stories do, or don’t do, life is perfect. Being a mom—there is nothing better. Being their mom is heaven on earth.
My writer friends: BARB NICKLESS, MARIA FAULCONER, NANCY MARTIN, ALLISON BRENNAN, DIANE MOTT DAVIDSON, PIERRE O’ROURKE. You make me laugh, you hold my hand, you kick my ass, and because of each of you, I am a better writer and a better person.
JERRY LAMBERT: For your smile, your sincere friendship, and for pimping my books out to everyone you know… and for the great hair cuts
SCOTT LARGENT: For your calm kindness and warm heart. And for insight into the commercial cooking world. If I got things wrong, it’s not your fault…it’s mine entirely. And remember, this whole adventure began with the smoking gun… that part is your fault.
ALEX RAMSEY: You inspire me. You challenge me. You are always there. No one can ask for more. I am blessed.
JEN TALTY: For all the hard work and brilliance. For making my books better. For showing me the way. You’ve restored my hope in the future of storytelling. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for working with me, for caring so much.
BOB MAYER: For charting your own course in the publishing business, then for shining the light, illuminating the path ahead, and for allowing the rest of us to follow your lead. Thank you (and JEN TALTY) for accepting me into the COOL GUS PUBLISHING fold. I’m am thrilled to be a part of the future of publishing and am honored to be a member of such a great team.
And, finally, and very importantly, to BOB GARDERE, you are the missing piece that fills the hole in my heart.