If there’s ever a time to realize how truly smart and talented your friends are, it’s when you’re trying to self-publish a book for the first time. Their help and encouragement has resulted in a final product of which I am very proud, and though I’ve thanked them privately, they deserve much more public praise than I can find words for. But I’ll try.
Khoi Le: Friend, photographer, and graphic designer. I told him about my concept for a cover, sent him a dreadful mock up, and he made magic happen. He’s also helped out with a bunch of images for my website, and never complains that I can’t figure out how to determine what size a picture should be. This kind of friend (and graphic designer) is a rare and wonderful thing. He took the picture, made the cover, and outdid all my expectations. You can contact him through his website: http://khoistory.com. Thanks, Khoi.
Natalie Perret: I’m from Canada, Natalie’s from New Zealand, and a long time ago, we met in China. Our friendship has traversed continents, oceans, and many years, and she is one of the few friends who is actually brave enough to read my books. This is her first time seeing an unpolished version, and she was generous enough to volunteer her time and her smarts to proofread for me. She was incredibly thorough and helpful, and without her you’d be reading things like “in appropriate” and “freeze booze.” Xie xie, Natalie.
Elan Cross: How fortuitous that I made a new writer friend just as I embarked on this self-publishing journey. Having another writer to talk to and brainstorm with is something I have done without for a very long time, and Elan’s editing hand helped get a lot of unwieldy sentences under control. Her vacillation between Team Kellan and Team Crosbie also told me I’d picked the right name for the book. Victory! Oh, this isn’t about me? Thanks, Elan.
Naomi Hughes: Back cover copy wrangler extraordinaire! I knew my copy needed help and I was lucky to stumble upon Naomi through a series of fortunate coincidences. She helped whip the text into shape and the final product is something of which I am very proud. You can find her at www.naomiedits.com.