When I wrote my first book, I realized that there are a lot of people who are involved in making it happen. Some (like editors and agents) are directly involved. Others (like a spouse) come alongside your dream and believe in you. Others are impacted by the fact that you’re spending time with a manuscript you might normally be spending with them.
It’s all still true.
Vicki Crumpton has been my editor for all four of my books. It’s been like having a personal coach and mentor who comes alongside and teaches you how to get better each time. She uses up a lot of red ink on my manuscripts, which means that any success this book achieves has her fingerprints all over it. Working with her has been one of the main reasons I’ve come to love writing. She’s as good as they get. Thanks, Coach!
Somewhere along the line, Joel Kneedler shifted from being my agent to being my friend. He guided the initial decisions for my last book and this one and has helped steer my writing career over the past few years. He’s moved on to the next level in the publishing world, but I’m grateful for his belief in me when I wasn’t sure which way to go next. Thanks for the partnership!
My wife, Diane, was more heavily involved in this book than any other. Her input on the content and her comments on the manuscript shaped my ideas in priceless ways. Those discussions had the potential to turn into “tough conversations,” but she found the balance between being tough and tender. You’ve always been my biggest fan, and I’ll always be yours. I’m grateful for you just being you!
Finally, there are the people I have coffee or hang out with, and that hasn’t happened as much over the past few months. Sara, Tim, Brian, my grandkids, and my new daughter-in-law, Lucy, deserve more focus in the coming weeks as soon as I hit “send” and this book goes on its way. You guys are all priceless gifts to me, and I love you.
Then there’s God. What can I say? Eternally grateful . . .