Nothing Short of Dying (25 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

W
riters are just a small part of the publishing process, and it's here that I get to thank the other people who made this book possible. My sincere gratitude to them all.

To my agent, Darley Anderson, who believed in me and Clyde: thank you so much for finding this book a home, for the constant kind words of support, and for the wise and tenacious way you've built my career. Thanks also to the wonderful staff at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency who have been nothing but helpful, supportive, and friendly.

To Rick Horgan, my brilliant editor at Scribner and the worthy heir of Max Perkins: thank you for taking a chance, and for making this book, and me, better than I thought possible. We do make a good team! Also, thanks to David Lamb and everyone else at Scribner who have put so much time and effort into this project.

To my parents, who raised me right: thank you for teaching me to love reading and to work hard, and for giving me the chance to spend so much time outside. Thanks also to my brother and sisters who supported me on this journey.

To Mr. Cummings and Mr. Kruger: I promised you'd be mentioned in here, if this ever happened, and I didn't forget. Thank you for teaching the classics, encouraging reading, and for being the first to suggest that I write. Your early encouragement meant a lot.

Thanks again to my wife and daughters for putting up with me during all of this. I know it wasn't easy, since I was mostly a horrid beast, but your love and support means everything. You are the reason I live, and write, and love.

To readers everywhere: you are a dwindling and unique breed, and I thank you for trading money and time to enjoy books when there are so many other things competing for your attention. A special, huge thanks for choosing this one.

To everyone I've ever met: you've helped me in some way, even if not consciously, and I thank you all.

© Samantha Storey

E
rik Storey is a former ranch hand, wilderness guide, dogsled musher, and hunter. He spent his childhood summers growing up on his great-grandfather's homestead or in a remote cabin in Colorado's Flat Tops wilderness. He has earned a number of sharpshooter and marksman qualifications.
Nothing Short of Dying
is his first novel. He and his family live in Grand Junction, Colorado.

SCRIBNER
An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2016 by Erik Storey

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Scribner Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Scribner hardcover edition August 2016

SCRIBNER and design are registered trademarks of The Gale Group, Inc., used under license by Simon & Schuster, Inc., the publisher of this work.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or
[email protected]
.

The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at
www.simonspeakers.com
.

Interior design by Kyle Kabel
Jacket design and illustration: www.25design.co.uk
Jacket photographs: landscape © Shutterstock, truck © Steve Craft/The Image Bank/Getty Images

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015035707

ISBN 978-1-5011-2414-3
ISBN 978-1-5011-2417-4 (ebook)