The Lake and the Library (19 page)

Writing a book is a solitary effort. You hole yourself and shut out the world for months until the story is told. But it goes without saying that there will always be people on the other side of the door, cheering you on all the way no matter how long it takes or how discouraged you become along the way.

I wrote this book when I was 16 years old and had really no idea what I was doing, but knew I had a story to tell and wouldn't stop 'til it was told. I was high on praise I had been getting for years from teachers and mentors on my creative writing, and determined to tell every story that was popping into my overactive brain. Thanks first go to those teachers who never let me down: to Brenda Probetts, whose Grade 7 English class dictated I give it my all with creative writing, having to read a book and write a new piece every week for two straight years. And special thanks to Audrey Mireault, who encouraged me to go after my writing dreams post–high school no matter the cost, and who taught me the value of Manitoba literature.

Of course, you can't get very far without the loyal (and many years long) support of friends, and luckily I had one of the best vanguards at my side. Thanks to the 1st Southdale Rovers, who were always cheering even before the book was remotely a book. Many more thanks to my ChiZine Publications family (and my surrogate Toronto parents, Brett Savory and Sandra Kasturi) who drank toasts to me the day the contract was signed 'til the day I moved back to Winnipeg, and who gave me the opportunity to do my first ever (nervous as hell) author reading. And really, thanks to every damn person that has come up to me since I started anxiously mumbling that I had a book coming out — friends, family, in-laws, co-workers, peers, strangers, panel attendees . . . everyone has been nothing short of hysterically enthusiastic for my humble efforts.

Obviously, thanks to everyone at ECW for taking a chance on me, for working hard on this book, and a hundred thousand thanks to my editor, Jen Hale, who was a tireless supporter of the book from the day she yanked it from the slush pile and through the long days of Epic Revisions.

And to my parents, Patricia and Dennis, always there to not only support but help make whatever dreams I had come true at any given time. Thanks for buying me books instead of video games, Mom. And for never letting me be anything less than myself. Huge kudos go to my brother, Chris, as well, because if I hadn't watched him write and create and read voraciously at a young age, I don't know if I would've started writing as young as I did. His example really shaped me.

And then there is Peter. My rock, my foundation, my cuddler, and my reality-checker. Bless him, he read this book in its original form and was too in love with me to say it was anything less than awesome (the sweet fibber). You have been there for me for absolutely everything, beyond the work, beyond life. I hope I can write you many more stories, my love.

And to you, little reader, whoever you are. Thanks for reading. Thanks for dreaming with me.

SAMANTHA MARY BEIKO has been writing things since she can remember, then drawing them to make them seem more real. She has somehow managed to make a living doing this, and helping others do it, too. Samantha works in the Canadian publishing industry, recently co-editing
Imaginarium 2013: The Best Canadian Speculative Writing
for ChiZine Publications. Samantha currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and wants to remind you that though she is but little, she is fierce. And constantly dreaming.

Copyright © S.M. Beiko, 2013

Published by ECW Press

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M4E 1E2

416-694-3348 /
[email protected]

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any process — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise — without the prior written permission of the copyright owners and ECW Press. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION

Beiko, S. M.

The lake and the library / S.M. Beiko.

ISBN
978-1-77041-057-2
ALSO ISSUED AS
: 978-1-77090-384-5 (
PDF
); 978-1-77090-385-2 (e
PUB
)

I
. Title.

PS
8603.
E
42844
K
35 2012 j
C
813'.6
C
2012-907522-1

Editor for the press: Jennifer Hale

Cover design and photo-illustration: Erik Mohr

Interior images: Due Date Card © JMB - Fotolia.com / Stamp © Liam McCabe

Author photo: Courtney Rae Jones

Type: Troy Cunningham

The publication of
The Lake and the Library
has been generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts which last year invested $20.1 million in writing and publishing throughout Canada, and by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario. We also acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for our publishing activities, and the contribution of the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit. The marketing of this book was made possible with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation.