There are more people to thank than can fit on this page, so I’ll distill it down to the golden few.
Thanks to Robert and Elizabeth at Ig Publishing for taking me on this second time around, and to Stewart Williams, whose incredible cover design managed to capture the whole story in a single, stunning image.
Huge appreciation to my Rainier Writing Workshop mentors Scott, David, and especially Kent, whose early guidance remains ingrained in me years later. To my writing cohorts Mary, Andrea, Jessica, and Lynn: That long weekend we spent creating, reading, laughing, and staring out at the fairgrounds of Fort Worden was the genesis that brought Otis from a scatter of notes to near flesh and blood. And to my mother, for her unbiased fandom and eager copyediting skills.
Finally, heart and soul to my patient and generous husband Shayne, for giving me the time, space, and encouragement to bring this thing from a mere idea to the bookshelf.