by Green Dc
‘That’s where I was heading! You know, all along!’ Jaak set off southwest once more, his legs extending with each step. He called back, ‘Roll on!’
We followed briskly through the lengthening tombstone shadows …
Acknowledgements
If I was marooned on a deserted island five years ago, I would have carved Monster School into a cave wall. The story gnawed at my spleen, that eager to be written. But carving on my island, this book wouldn’t have ended up half what it is today – and not just because I would have run out of cave by the third draft, or been off surfing most days – but because so many groovy people also fell in love with my story and helped me build the City of Monsters, brick by bloody brick.
As ever, the first to hear my roughest draft was my gorgeous and long-suffering daughter, Hayley. Obrigado, Bub.
A who’s-who of Aussie children’s authors contributed invaluable ideas and nitpicks: Sally Odgers, Matt Porter, Robyn Opie Parnell, Ian Irvine, Bill Condon, Di Bates, Meredith Costain and Brenton Cullen. Ngiyabonga!
My ever-changing army of grommet critiquers never cease to amaze me with their zeal and brutal honesty: PierLuca and Francesca D, Hayley T, Keelan and Jarman M, Maddie S, Kris D, Annie L, Boyd A, Josh and Tara K. Räxmät!
I knew this story was on the right track when the (then unpublished) manuscript won first place in the Adult Category of the Writing Classes for Kids and Adults Fantasy Writing Competition, and placed runner-up in the 8th Kathleen Julia Bates Memorial Writing Competition, both in 2012. Fa’afetai, judges!
A big Ahó (and a free book) to my friends for their insights and encouragement: Magella Blink, Maria Stewart, Katherine Fisher, Jensen Ruehle and Marie Smith of Early Years Care magazine (featuring my writing column, ‘Write Now’).
A hearty Kammagar to: Paul Collins at Ford Street Publishing, for taking a chance on my wacky trilogy and enduring my zillion gonzo marketing stunt schemes; editor, Gemma Dean-Furlong, for recommending my manuscript in the first place and identifying so many possible improvements, big and small; and artist Danny Willis, for his amazing artwork and gritting his teeth through my numerous art-work ‘suggested changes’.
And to all the readers and librarians who bought this book: I hope you enjoyed your journey through the City of Monsters – and Ta!
DC Green