Cast Off (29 page)

Acknowledgments

Writing
Cast Off
was, as they say in transoceanic shipping, a long haul, and I had a lot of help along the way. Ginger Knowlton, my wonderful agent, of the many moments I've cherished with you, my favorite may be when I asked why you thought you'd be able to sell a novel of seventeenth-century historical fiction, and you said, “Why wouldn't I?” Emma Dryden, there were times in this journey when all that kept me going was the mantra “Emma doesn't think I'm crazy.”

Thank you, marvelous editors Liz Waniewski and Kate Harrison, for inviting me to join the Dial family and making me feel at home.
Cast Off
is a way better book as a result of your gentle yet laser-sharp queries. Thanks, too, to the rest of the Dial team.

Deep appreciation to my keen-eyed readers Amelia Dalvito, Theodore Strauss, and Julie Sternberg. Many thanks to my meticulous research assistants Ian Delaney and Pippi Kessler. Jeffrey Stock, everything I know about Indonesian languages I learned from you.

Fellow author Mina Witteman, VOC scholar Dirk Tang, and Ernst van Keulen of the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam, your generous gifts of time and knowledge have enriched me and this book.

Marc Acito, last time you held my hand up the mountain. This time you strapped me to your back and hoisted me up. Nick, Joe, and Maya, you are the best part of every day. Thank you for
everything
: your advice, enthusiasm, insights, reality checks, and good humor—and especially for liking all the gross parts as much as I do.

Finally, love and gratitude to Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, who instilled in me a passion for sea adventures.

Looking for more?
Visit Penguin.com for more about this author and a complete list of their books.
Discover your next great read!