The Prodigal Troll (53 page)

don't know about other writers, but getting my first novel published feels like the work of a community because I simply could not have done it alone. I have many people to thank. Gordon Van Gelder, editor of Fantasy & Science Fiction (www.fsfmag.com), and John O'Neill, editor of Black Gate (www.blackgate.com), published sections of this novel in their magazines. Members of the Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror (http://sff .onlinewritingworkshop.com), the Sock Monkey Parade, and the 2003 Blue Heaven novel writing retreat gave me critiques that made this a much better book. Julia Hessler, S. K. S. Perry, Lisa Deguchi, and Catherine M. Morrison provided essential encouragement and support during different drafts. Marsha Sisolak caught more errors in more versions than anyone else. Deanna Hoak, my copyeditor, corrected many of the errors that remained. Robert Sinclair contributed useful insights into large primate behaviors early on. John Joseph Adams read new additions critically at the very end. Emily Buckell persuaded me that The Prodigal Troll was, indeed, the right title. Paul and Leann Ulrich graciously contributed a weekend retreat where I could make my final revisions uninterrupted. Thank you, all.

Anyone up for the next book?