Authors: Michael Koryta
Rise the Dark (34 page)
First, foremost, and foreverâthanks to Christine, who not only improves the books but somehow endures me while I write them.
I've had the enormous good fortune of patient and helpful early readers, and to the people who are willing to give of their own time and energy, I can't offer enough gratitude. But I can name you here!
Tom Bernardo, Stewart O'Nan, and Bob Hammel have hung in there with me through many drafts on many books, and their guidance and encouragement are always critical. John Houghton also brought a wonderful eye and a lot of passion to these pages, for no apparent reason other than his abundance of kindness. And I really can't say enough about the insight, questions, and patient discussions that Pete Yonkman provided. It's a better book because of him, and I also had more fun with it than I would have. Deepest thanks, Pete.
A few professionals played a role too. Namely, Joshua Kendall, who is a remarkable and tireless editor. If he has a point of fatigue, I haven't found it yet. It is a privilege to work with you, Josh.
Richard Pine's guidance and enthusiasm steers the ship on good days and bad. In fact, Richard doesn't really allow bad days. Much appreciated. Gideon Pine might not know yet how much he helps. Angela Cheng-Caplan better know how much she helps by now. Same for Lawrence Rose.
Amanda Craft and Lacy Nowling help me to exist in the social media world. I'm grateful for their enthusiasm and work.
The teams at Little, Brown and Company and Hachette Book Group are consistently fantastic: Michael Pietsch, Reagan Arthur, Sabrina Callahan, Nicole Dewey, Heather Fain, Craig Young, Terry Adams, Garrett McGrath, and so many more.
Tracy Roe's copyedits save me time and again. Parse on, Tracy! Parse on.
Anything I got right about high-voltage work is thanks to Jim Staats and Jim Koryta. Anything I got wrong is my own fault.
The people of Cassadaga, Florida, couldn't have been better to me, and the same goes once again for the people of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana. Particular thanks to Doug and Cathy Pate, Bill and Carol Oriel, and Michael and Rita Hefron, as well as Troy “the Storechief” Wilson.
Most important, thanks to the booksellers, librarians, and all readers.
Michael Koryta is the
New York Times
bestselling author of twelve novels, most recently
Last Words
. His previous novelsâincluding
The Prophet, The Ridge,
and
So Cold the River
âwere
New York Times
Notable Books and national bestsellers and have been nominated for numerous awards. A former private investigator and newspaper reporter, Koryta graduated from Indiana University with a degree in criminal justice. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.
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