A Play of Shadow (83 page)

Though perhaps . . . not!

You see, during
A Play of Shadow
, I would dash over to Marrowdell—the village on Facebook, that is—to ask questions, seek thoughts, and generally hang out with readers familiar with, and fond of, house toads. One such dash led me to a contest called “Aunt Sybb Said . . .” because I was, well, stuck that day. The responses were many and I let the others on the page vote for their favorite. Heather Dryer won, and I admit her saying posed, at first, something of a challenge. “Aunt Sybb had said a whistling woman and a crowing hen never come to a good end . . .” Where to put that? As you may have read by now, I found the perfect spot and am delighted. Thank you, Heather!

I also needed help visualizing Lila Larmensu. Oh, I had my notions. Clear ones. So clear, in fact, that it suddenly dawned on me this was someone I knew! Yup. I’d been inspired by a dear friend of our daughter. Nothing for it but to ask permission, which Lauren Burger (being our friend too), graciously granted. While I’d never call Lauren lethal, she’s lovely, inside and out, brilliant, and oh-so-easy to underestimate at first glance. Lila, in truth.

Then there was the inn at Endshere. In
A Turn of Light
, I’d established that Palma Anan (based upon our friend Shannan Palma) owned and ran it. Little did Shannan suspect that I’d be dashing back to her (there was a great deal of dashing during
Play
) for more. A name, for one thing. It became “The Good Night’s Sleep” aka the “G’Night.” I ran the depiction of the interior past her as well. Just when Shannan probably thought her involvement done, I learned that she made her own ginger beer.

Joy!

Yes, the beer Allin serves Bannan in the G’Night is Shannan’s, in truth. I hope to taste it myself soon. (Authors. So demanding!) Thank you, Shannan, for your help and patience.

Now we come to Nathan Fillion. (Yes, that Nathan.) We’ve never met, but like many, I’m a huge fan. Have been since Firefly.

As it happens, I wrote a huge book.

You can guess where this is going, can’t you? Thank you, very much, to my friends Bobbie and Sandra (no last names, to protect the innocent), for getting that gleam in your eyes of “we can do anything and would, for you!” at the Watson’s Mill signing. I won’t say it’s your fault, but you certainly facilitated. In short, upon my envious sigh hearing they were to meet him, these fine ladies left with said huge book. They carried it to the Ottawa Comiccon where Nathan was appearing, had their picture taken with the poor man (and huge book), then calmly informed him the huge book? Was his.

To take home on the plane.

Okay, as plans went, there may have been a flaw or two. But this wee story deserves to be here because I still smile to think of it, no matter what happened to the book. This is a perfect example of the kindness, enthusiasm, and derring-do! of my friends and readers. A power I should, admittedly, use more wisely in future.

On to the more usual acknowledgments? Not yet.

We’ve arrived at the mirror. If you’ve read the book, you know whereof I speak. If not, suffice to say that in the interests of accuracy and detail, I had to know what happens when a mirror melts. Not something easy to find, it turns out. I’m grateful to Tim McManus of BlownAway Glass Studio for his kind assistance, as well as Jenn Wanless-Craig of Artech Studios. Always go to those who know, folks. Trust me.

After the mirror came the coinage of Rhoth. I needed names for coins, which led to the discovery that such names come with history and meaning to the society! Luckily, I met the talented author Krista (K.V.) Johansen at Ad Astra. Not only was she expert in such research, but her husband knew coins! Thank you, Paul Marlowe, for your helpful replies to my questions, and for “drogues and sprats.”

Now, for the more usual acknowledgments. Thank you, Sheila Gilbert, for not only being a superb editor and colleague, but for being the best of friends, for being here, when I needed you most. Words cannot express. To all at DAW Books—Joshua the Mighty, Katie the Brilliant, Briar the Vigilant, Peter the Charming, Betsy the Wonderful, George the Unstoppable, and Paula the Wise—my heartfelt gratitude. The quality and care you pour into everything you do is outstanding and always appreciated. (Of course, toads ARE watching . . .)

Matt Stawicki? Working with you was pure delight! Thank you not only for this gorgeous cover, but for all you did to help me blend our visions of it. You see, dear readers, Matt used the references I provided to create his masterpiece. I then wrote the actual scene based on what he’d created. The final step? Matt read and critiqued my descriptions from that scene, to be sure I’d got it right. Brilliance!

Ed Greenwood? I owe the speed with which I wrote to you and your wisdom. Thank you!

Jennifer, my indispensible alpha reader, thank you for your keen eye and true heart. In every sense, I owe the quality of this book to you.

Erin Stirling, thank you for letting me impose on your enthusiasm for
Turn
by reading
Play
in ragged draft, and for going over the maps with Jennifer. Roger? Thank you for looking after everything (truly), so I could get it done. Scott, you’ve been an inspiration.

There were those who held me in their hearts as I wrote
A Play of Shadow
. To you, I won’t say thanks. How could I?

To you, I say:

However far we are apart,

Keep Us Close.