The Promise of the Child (69 page)

Acknowledgements

This book has been a big part of my life for some time now, and there are an awful lot of people I'd really like to thank for putting up with me while I've bored the pants off them all these years, firstly:

My dear old long-suffering parents, Bob and Janet, with all my love. Tony Pemberton, also long-suffering, thank you. My beautiful Steph, the sweetest, kindest of beans. My agent and friend Andy Kifer, who must certainly know by now that he's The Man. My lovely editor Simon Spanton for taking a huge chance and Lisa Rogers for her clever, patient and occasionally hilarious copy-editing whilst wading through so much nonsense. Also, of course, Gillian, Marcus, Sophie and all the brilliant chaps at Gollancz, Night Shade and the Gernert Company. It's been an absolute pleasure.

Some dear friends: the mighty Nick Wade, whose pen wrote the first five notebooks, Joss Cole, gentleman beta reader, Marty Jackson for all the swift halves, Helena, Booboo, Mikey and the Callinicos family (including Jessie) for all the sass, Lee and Kirsty Ambrose-Smith for my first review (“I've got no qualms with it”), Giddy for the cigars and pirate stuff, the Gomersals for a hell of a lot more than I've ever properly thanked them for and Tishy and Gary, who convinced me to give it all another go.

Not forgetting everyone around the world who looked after me while I wrote: the wonderful Rita-Rita for loaning me her home and shiny new laptop (which I still have for some reason, oops), Steve and all the Dolans in Australia, my Germans: Maria, Yula, Steffi and Johnny out in Berlin, Robert and Ilsa at Metropolis Gallery for employing such a bloody useless assistant and David and Karen at the Geelong tea house for all the free drinks. Thank you all.

Tom Toner
London
April 3rd, 2015