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A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

After writing over a million words as a writer, a friend pointed out one day that most of my work was "about getting even". This surprised me at first - which only proves I’m not as swift as I thought I was.

I've always had a simple rule: Write the books I want to read. About fascinating people just trying to survive - facing lousy odds, sometimes insurmountable barriers. And yes, that sometimes means getting even.

You'll notice I rarely have one hero in my novels, which breaks the rules of conventional authorship. But I can't help it. People everywhere are heroes, have been heroes, and want to be heroes - if given half a chance. I feel compelled to tell their stories.

I started out life, like a lot of kids, getting picked on. I discovered the world is full of bullies. So I complained to my parents, and they said "Stand up for yourself. But also don't forget the rights of others."

Books got me through those teenage years, and I'm very thankful. I owe a debt of gratitude to writers like Ray Bradbury, Ian Fleming, J.D. Salinger, Elmore Leonard and Robert Heinlein.

Teach your kids to be brave, to believe in themselves, to believe in a just world. I know life is not fair - but that's no reason not to stand up to bullies and cheaters and manipulators. Sure, you might get a nosebleed once in a while. But it will be worth it.

I've been a Creative Director for an advertising agency, a TV Producer, a computer programmer, entrepreneur, painter and restaurant owner. And raised two awesome daughters. The only thing I've learned from all of these careers? Being a parent is the best job on the planet.

Theo Cage is the pen name of Russell Smith, a Canadian author and artist.