by Jeremy Szal
A tip of the hat to all the amazing authors, editors and artists I’ve crossed paths with, providing wit, wisdom and plenty of ideas worth stealing. You know who you are.
A shout-out goes to the various mates who kept me sane with encouragement and beers along the way: Adrian Collins, T. R. Napper, Rob Boffard, Derek Kunsken, Alex Shvartsman, Ian MacDonald, Zach Chapman, Alessia and Noemi. A special mention is required for Lyndon Hill. About six years ago now, when I confessed I wanted to publish a science-fiction novel, he told me that very few ever make it, and to keep my expectations in check. He also told me that he’d help me get there, providing feedback and keeping me humble. He kept his promise. Thanks mate, for your unwavering candour and giving me a friend to look up to. Although, you totally deserved your cameo appearance getting shafted (you know why).
To my creative writing teachers helping me hone my craft over the years: Jodie Brooks, Stephanie Bishop, and Meredith Jones, thanks.
A round of applause for the mad bastards over at StarShipSofa: Tony, Gary, Ralph, Amy, Lisa, Kelly and Michael. Still not quite sure how we managed to keep our show running over the years, but we got it done. We achieved some insane things that shouldn’t be spoken of in polite company. I’ll always look back on my time there with fond memories, no small part thanks to you and the incredible cast of authors and narrators who made it all happen.
Further thanks go to Brandon, Mary, Howard and Dan at the Writing Excuses podcast, who dispense weekly writing advice that anyone else would charge for, to good folks at the Fantasy Writers Bar and GFRWs on Facebook for being kick-ass support groups when I needed somewhere to rant.
None of this would be possible without my family. My mother, for the endless patience required to homeschool a hyperactive kid like me, for teaching me to read and instilling in me a love of books, and for introducing me to science-fiction by way of Star Wars and Blade Runner. My father, for taking me around the world, for never doubting in me for a second, and for always being there for me, even when I didn’t deserve it. After graduating university, when I said I wanted to work part-time to write the book I always wanted to write, you never hesitated and supported me every step along the way. I couldn’t ask for two kinder, more compassionate and understanding people to have as parents. You’re an endless source of knowledge and inspiration to me, and I’d be the shadow of the man I am if it wasn’t for you two. Thank you for everything, and a little bit extra.
Thanks, too, to my little sister, Rebekah, being my companion and friend, and always being there to listen to me. I’m lucky to have a sister like you. Here’s to many more nights of binge-watching Netflix and arguing the finer points of Marvel films (also, it’s your turn to walk the dog).
And thanks to you, dear reader, for going on this crazy little adventure across the galaxy with me. It certainly won’t be the last.
Credits
Jeremy Szal and Gollancz would like to thank everyone at Orion who worked on the publication of Stormblood in the UK.
Editorial
Gillian Redfearn
Brendan Durkin
Copy editor
Abigail Nathan
Audio
Paul Stark
Amber Bates
Contracts
Anne Goddard
Paul Bulos
Jake Alderson
Design
Lucie Stericker
Joanna Ridley
Nick May
Editorial Management
Charlie Panayiotou
Jane Hughes
Alice Davis
Finance
Jennifer Muchan
Jasdip Nandra
Afeera Ahmed
Elizabeth Beaumont
Sue Baker
Marketing
Tom Noble
Production
Paul Hussey
Publicity
Will O’Mullane
Sales
Laura Fletcher
Esther Waters
Victoria Laws
Hermione Ireland
Ellie Kyrke-Smith
Frances Doyle
Georgina Cutler
Operations
Jo Jacobs
Sharon Willis
Lisa Pryde
Lucy Brem
Copyright
First published in Great Britain in 2020 by Gollancz
an imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd
Carmelite House, 50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
An Hachette UK Company
This eBook first published in 2020 by Gollancz.
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Copyright © Jeremy Szal 2020
The moral right of Jeremy Szal to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN (eBook) 978 1 473 22744 6
Typeset at The Spartan Press Ltd,
Lymington, Hants
www.orionbooks.co.uk
www.gollancz.co.uk