Reap the Wild Wind

To Michael Gilbert

There are people you never forget, no matter how long you knew them, or how much time you spent together. They claim their place in your heart, and your life is better for it.

This book, published on the tenth anniversary of my first and prequel to that same story, is the one I’ve intended for several years to be for such an unforgettable person. Michael Gilbert. Mike, you see, was the first at DAW to read my work. He took it from the slush and recommended it. He opened the door for my career. And more.

I didn’t realize then what being published by DAW meant, but Mike set me straight. During my first months as a new, unknown author, he never let me forget I was a new, unknown author. He also never let me forget I was now part of the DAW family, so it didn’t matter how new or unknown I was. I’d been adopted. Long chats on the phone, always warm hospitality, and those fat envelopes of wonderful cartoons Mike created—to which I owe much of my knowledge of publishing and fear of long-haired women wielding bats. Or was that deadlines?

It was a proud moment indeed when I earned my own sturdy box (recycled Canadian pulp, of course) from the talented, memorable Mike.

Thank you, Mike.