ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, I would like to convey my love and appreciation, this time distributed in SugarWerks Carry-Away Boxes and accompanied by gifts of cake.
To the fans of the theater books who kept asking when I would have another novel out. Thank you for asking for an encore performance and for the roses you’ve thrown onto the stage.
To my husband and children, who understand that my corporeal body might be present but my mind occupies several alternate dimensions simultaneously. And to my mother and sister, who know why I don’t always pick up the phone and yet they continue to call, to make offers of childcare, and to deliver hugs and dessert.
To my literary agent, Laura Rennert, for her enthusiasm and fellow feeling. Thank you for loving Penny’s story and finding it a home.
To the Skyscape team: Miriam Juskowicz, for giving Penny a place to park her Vitesse; my editor, Robin Benjamin, for her meticulous notes and eyes so keen, I suspect they might have been Augmented; and my copyeditor, Rebecca Friedman, who put the final coat of polish on this massive brass contraption.
To the steampunk community, including artisans like Richard “Doc” Nagy (sadly lost to us) and musicians like Professor Elemental, Steam Powered Giraffe, Vagabond Opera, and Abney Park. You are an endless source of joy and inspiration, there from the very beginning of Penny’s journey, planting seeds in a garden that is just now blooming.
To my first readers, second readers, third, fourth, and fifth readers, who saw so many different drafts of Penny’s story that they will have to read the final published version to see what made it to the page: Lori Hunt, Jennifer Ford, Sunil Sebastian, Glenn Dallas, No?l Furniss, Stephanie Burgis, Tiffany Trent, Shannon Messenger, Melissa Bleir, Rafe Brox, Kari Armstrong, Heather Clawson, Lianne Marie Mease, Amanda Mitchell, and Derek Silver.
Last but certainly not least, credit for the word “crimstone” goes to Nancy Jeanne Hedge, with my gratitude.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo ? Angel Mantchev
Lisa Mantchev is the author of the acclaimed Théatre Illuminata series, which includes Eyes Like Stars, a nominee for the Mythopoeic and Andre Norton awards. She has also published numerous short stories in venues such as Strange Horizons, Clarkesworld, Weird Tales, and Fantasy. She lives on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington with her husband, children, and horde of hairy animals. Visit her online at: www.lisamantchev.com.