by Scott Snyder
I’ve been very lucky with teachers over the years, but I owe a singular debt of gratitude to Binnie Kirshenbaum for her wisdom, encouragement, and friendship. Thanks, too, to Alan Ziegler and the great faculty of the Columbia University Graduate Writing Department; Leslie Woodard for giving me the chance to teach writing; Dorla MacIntosh for taking me under her wing; and to my students, for the constant inspiration and ridicule.
To the editors who’ve helped make the stories what they are: Michael Ray of Zoetrope, Michael Koch and Heidi Marschner of Epoch, Hannah Tinti and Maribeth Batcha of One-Story, and Rob Spillman, Holly MacArthur, and Ben George of Tin House.
In appreciation of my champions: Jennifer Lyons, my wonderful and tireless agent; Susan Kamil, my brilliant editor, whose dedication to the craft of writing is continually humbling; and Noah Eaker, the best editorial assistant this side of the Mississippi.
A special thank you to my family: my folks, Jon and Wendy Snyder, for being almost embarrassingly supportive; to my sister and best friend, Susie Snyder; to Dana, Ed and Jessica Luck; and to my grandparents, Claire and Milton Zaret for first sparking my imagination.
My deepest love and gratitude to my wife, Jeanie Ripton, who has always believed in these stories, even when I’ve had trouble. And who makes it all worth it.
And a final thanks for guidance and inspiration to the wily spirit of Mr. Elvis Presley.
VOODOO HEART
PUBLISHING HISTORY
Published by The Dial Press
A Division of Random House, Inc.
New York, New York
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved
Copyright © 2006 by Scott Snyder
Chapter title drawings by the author
Man on rope illustration © Mary Evans Picture Library
Some of these stories appeared in slightly different form in the following publications: “Blue Yodel” in Zoetrope: All-Story, “Happy Fish, Plus Coin” in One-Story, “About Face” and “The Star Attraction of 1919” in Epoch, “Voodoo Heart” (excerpted) and “Wreck” in Tin House, and “Dumpster Tuesday” in Small Spiral Notebook.
The Dial Press and Dial Press Trade Paperbacks are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc., and the colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2006040160
www.dialpress.com
www.voodooheart.com
eISBN: 978-0-440-33700-3
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