Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions, encouragement, and support in helping to make all of this a reality. If your name should be on this list, and isn't, send an email to let him know!

Production

Bialer, Matt - Literary Agent. A man whose job it is to help dreams come true.
Bierhaus, Anna - Assistant to Matt Bialer. For keeping things running smoothly.
Cain, David - Artist. For transforming my sketches into an actual world map.
Dwyer, Deborah - Copyeditor. Whose eagle-eyed analysis caught problems I'd missed a dozen times over.
Gill, Diana - Executive Editor. Without whom none of this would be happening.
Hacker-Delany, Iva - Designer. For adding some flair and style to the page.
Hinton, Will - Assistant to Diana Gill. For handling the grunt work and more.
Koveck - Artist. For his amazing cover artwork.
Krump, Emily - Assistant to Diana Gill. Who always makes time for my petty requests.
Ribar, Lindsay - Assistant to Matt Bialer. For keeping pace with my nomadic moves.
Robbins, Amy - Copyeditor. For her meticulous cleanup of my sloppy prose.
Serrano, Ervin - For his wonderful jacket design.

And a truckload of behind-the-scenes folks I haven't yet had the pleasure to meet!

Professional

Clemens, James - Bestselling author. For his selfless nature and inspiring work ethic.
Dabel, Les & Ernst - Whose own work never ceases to amaze me.
Domingo, Dominick - For his marvelous illustration of the Crimson Sword.
Fagundes, Alex - For his expert contributions to the building and hosting of this website.
Jordan, Robert - Bestselling author. For his commanding presence, unflinching strength, and small acts of kindness.
LeGrand, L. Scott - Film producer. Who didn't cringe at the mention of the word "fantasy".
Martin, George R. R. - For raising the bar on an entire genre while proving that unconventional is sometimes best.
Newcomb, Robert - Author. For his willingness to help another young author find his way.
Pettersson, Vicki - Bestselling author. For her exhilarating stories and humble nature.
Rice, Cindi - Manager. For seeking positive opportunities in a sea of Hollywood negativity.
Rodriguez, Tone - Artist. For delivering in a big way at a moment's notice.
Salvatore, Bob - Bestselling author. For his hearty congratulations, levelheaded attitude, and ready advice.
Speakman, Shawn - For his terrific concepts and invaluable guidance in getting this site off the ground.
Wilson, Eric Thomas - Who gave my life purpose just as that and all else was about to go missing.

Family & Friends

Adkins, Crystal - For her friendly banter and enthusiastic promotional support.
Agee, Susan - Writer. Whose faith and humor are an inspiration.
Anderson, Paul - Screenwriter. For remembering to tell me what I was doing well.
Antrim, Kathleen - Author. Who assured me from the beginning this day would come.
Autele, Brian - The fiercest guy I've ever met, but a friend with a heart of gold.
Biddle, Kelly - My "dream" girl. For giving me something to endlessly aspire to.
Bizzell, Brandon - Cousin-in-law. For his gracious hospitality.
Bizzell, Heather - Cousin. Who built a life for herself against such terrible odds.
Blake, Christopher - Cousin-in-law. For his insatiable enthusiasm.
Blake, Rebecca - Cousin. Who has never held my surliness against me.
Browning, Dotty - Who wrote me a letter of such wonderful encouragement when the doubts were closing in.
Clark, Iain - For his companionable nature and terrific stories—all the better with that Scottish burr.
Collins, Celine - A California girl who gets as fired up about fitness—and Hobbits—as I do.
Elbling, Ross - For his eager assistance in the editing and proofreading department.
Fitzpatrick, Warren - For befriending an unknown author, and sharing such wonderful work of his own.
Fowler, Dennis - For not sweating the little things that so many others get riled up about.
Hackney, Robin - A proud, responsible mother who is every bit as spunky and fun as when we were kids.
Haviland, Christopher - Writer. Who knows the struggle, but never lets me lose hope.
Hayden, Patricia - For her honest outlook and friendly conversation.
Henderson, Russell - For giving me an opportunity, while yet encouraging me to pursue my true dream.
Hoach, Rick - The hardest-working man I've ever met.
Holley, Tiffany - For understanding what I was trying to say when so few others did.
Johnson, Judy - Who made me feel like a valuable member of our team.
Kamberg, Kandy - For being the one member of her family with whom I can eagerly discuss fantasy fiction.
Laviolette, Damian - For being there in the very beginning, and hanging in there until now.
Laviolette, Dylan - Who has such great tastes in books—and as it turns out, music, too.
Laviolette, Janice - For being the steady one in a sea of family chaos.
Laviolette, Jean - For both his tireless work ethic and his blunt honesty.
Laviolette, Kelly - Who taught me to smile for the sake of the customer.
Laviolette, Perry - For teaching me physical toughness, even if it didn't stick.
Laviolette, Shantal - The most fun-loving "bookworm" I've ever met.
Laviolette, Shirley - For making a lowly dockhand feel like an adopted son.
Laviolette, Teah - For being a gracious and energetic hostess—and for keeping that husband of hers in line.
Ly, Michelle - Among the first to help celebrate this achievement, and for doing so with such unabashed glee.
Mathiasen, Eric - A friend for as long as I can remember, and one of the few who never scoffed at my goals.
Mattingly, Kathryn - Writer. Who is forever giving me way more credit than I deserve.
May, Kevin - For both his unfailingly good humor and his scathing honesty.
McCormack, Melissa - For her sweet spirit, bright smile, and loving nature.
Narkun, Charis - For greeting every conceivable challenge with a smile upon her face.
Nuttall, R. Kyle - For his love of life and the written word, not to mention his longtime friendship.
Oglesby, John - Writer. Always the first in line to help toast a friend's success.
Olinger, Carrie - Who has achieved more in a few years' honest labor than I have in a lifetime of daydreaming.
Olinger, Crissy - For putting up with a side of me that few others get to see.
Olinger, Vicky - For acting as though this is all much more exciting than it really is.
Philpott, Danny - Who convinced me that nothing is unattainable.
Pfister, Sue - For being one of the best "real-world" bosses I ever had, always leading by example.
Powell, C. Eric - Even though he'd just as soon shoot me in the face.
Raju, Kartik - For his unspoiled optimism in a world of jaded filmmakers.
Richards, Michael - Screenwriter. Who hasn't yet forgotten old classmates like me.
Rowe, Diana - For showing me how to lighten up and have a good time.
Riley, Jason - For both his hilarious antics, and the driving hunger that fuels everything he does.
Riley, Susan - For welcoming me into her home at a moment's notice.
Riley, Tom - Who has more stories than any one man deserves, and is willing to share them with the likes of me.
Schmidt, Brooke - Who, no matter how she may feel, always manages a brave and ready smile.
Schmidt, Sue - Who hasn't forgotten how to have fun, even in the face of adversity.
Smith, Jack - Writer. For treating me time and again like one of his own kid brothers.
Spagnola, Sherise - For always seeing the best in people, even when they may not deserve it.
Sturdivant, Patrick - Elder brother. Who is forever looking out for the rest of us.
Sturdivant, Tim - Father. For reminding me to keep an eye on the practical side of things.
Sturdivant, Toreen - Stepmother. For being as proud as any birth mother could be.
Tidwell, Janet - For making even the most arduous task seem more like an enjoyable family gathering.
Tidwell, Vaughn - For teaching me that all it takes is a little bit of vision and a lot of hard work.
Thompson, Dagne - Mother. For taking such pride in each of the children to whom she has dedicated her life.
Thompson, Jared - Younger brother #1. For always listening whenever El feels the need to talk too much.
Thompson, John - Uncle. For the honest and helpful writing advice he gave a young kid long ago.
Thompson, Neil - Younger brother #2. For always pushing me to make it better.
Thompson, William - Younger brother #3. For treating me as if I were someone to be looked up to.
Thompson Sr., Eldon J. - No known relation, but who was kind enough to let me have this URL anyway.
Tostado, Jonathan - Writer. Whose earnest zaniness kept the rest of his classmates in stitches.
Turner, Cal - Uncle. For working so hard to keep the family together.
Turner, Lainey - For hanging in there amid all the madness, and keeping her eye on building a positive future.
Turner, Linda - Aunt. For all the little niceties that help me to feel better about myself.
Turner, Merri Lee - Cousin. For being tougher than any girl her age should have to be.
Tyrpak, Suzanne - Writer. Whose dedication and willingness to sacrifice has encouraged me to do the same.
Wilson, Kathy - Who refuses to settle for anything less than what she really wants.
Wilson, Will - For his willingness to do whatever it takes to get this ball rolling—for everyone.

And countless others from whom I'll take a beating for having neglected!

Teachers

Ackerman, Hal - UCLA. For storytelling insights that are not limited to any particular medium.
Duke, Errol - For challenging me like few others have before or since.
Lucanio, Patrick - Western Oregon. Who led me to believe I might have a future as a writer.
Rand, Thomas - Western Oregon. Who made the study of literature come alive.
Thoma, Dave - Because when so many others told me to play it safe, he suggested I follow my dreams.
West-Gerber, Valerie - UCLA. For her active involvement in making this a better story than it was before.
Zenor, Cinda - For allowing me to write about whatever I should choose.

And many more I've not yet mentioned!

Maui Writers

Because they are all of the above—professionals, teachers, and friends—the good folks of the Maui Writers Conference get a category all to themselves...

Allison, Dorothy - Award-winning author. Every writer should have a "mama" like her.
Bova, Barbara - Super agent, who yet took the time to congratulate a newcomer like me.
Bova, Ben - Bestselling author. For opening my mind to new horizons and unexplored possibilities.
Brooks, Judine - For suffering my shadow-like tendencies with patience and understanding.
Brooks, Terry - Bestselling author. Because I don't think I'll ever be able to thank him enough.
Cratty, Al - For his ready smile and adventuresome spirit.
Engstrom, Elizabeth - Bestselling author. For rewarding my persistence, rather than chiding me for it.
George, Elizabeth - Bestselling author. Who taught me the importance of preparation.
Horn, Sam - Emcee. Who exudes warmth and the aloha spirit from the moment you see her.
McCabe, Thomas - The most welcoming man you'll ever meet, who treated me the same in the beginning as now.
Sack, Mike - Master storyteller. For teaching me how crucial it is to begin with a reasonable idea.
Saul, John - Bestselling author. For allowing me to laugh at myself, setting me on track to become a professional.
Tsukiyama, Gail - Award-winning author. For her kind words, and her insight into using environment as character.
Tullius, John - Author and editor. For providing the ground in which writers go from hobbyists to professionals.
Tullius, Shannon - For her tireless efforts in helping less experienced writers to realize their dreams.
Wiggs, Jay - For whom all of this fancy author stuff is ancillary to the latest round of golf.
Wiggs, Susan - Bestselling author. For so readily welcoming me into the writers' community.