by A. D. Ellis
I want to thank my family. My husband and children have had to put up with me sticking headphones in and closing the door to write for hours at a time. My husband is NOT a fan of reading, but he’s supported me the entire way. I love the three of them more than words can describe. I’d also like to thank the rest of my family. From the moment they heard I was writing a book, my parents have been nothing but supportive. It doesn’t even matter WHAT I’m writing, they are proud of me and cheering me on. The world of independent publishing is new to me and very foreign to most of my family members, but they support me through it all and that means the world to me.
A HUGE thank you to my editors. I’m lucky to have a fairly firm grasp of grammar rules; however, after reading something as many times as a writer reads her own work, mistakes slip by. I needed new eyes to help me see my mistakes. Karen H. and Stephanne M. were those eyes. Karen pointed out many things to me, the main thing being extreme overuse of two things. After she brought it to my attention, I almost gouged my eyes out when I went back for another read. How did I not notice how many times I had used those?? Stephanne was probably about to gouge her own eyes out with my comma misuse. I own it, I’m terrible with commas. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Karen and Stephanne, for your editing skills. Especially because I know the genre I write isn’t one that you would choose to read. Your help was invaluable.
I would be remiss if I didn’t say thanks to some other authors. What started out as me fan-girling on some of these ladies, turned into me asking them questions and them offering me support and answers. Aleatha Romig (author of the Consequences series, if you haven’t read it, go get it NOW) is basically my neighbor, although we’ve never met. Aleatha has been so sweet and helpful with all of my newbie questions. Nina Lane (author of one of my top favorite series A Spiral of Bliss) has answered about 101 questions from me and never made me feel like a bother. Mia Sheridan (author of MANY great books, but one of my top 5 favorites, Archer’s Voice) has proven to be kind and patient as I continually bombard her with questions. Lynetta Halat (author of some of my favorites, Everything I’ve Never Had and Every Rose being two of them) was one of the first I attacked with author questions and she never made me feel bad for asking. Sarah Robinson (author of Tainted Bodies and Tainted Pictures) was the first author in indie world to reach out to me and offer support. She gave me my first taste of an “author takeover” and I appreciate her so very much for that.
I want to thank old friends. Jodie, Deb S., Dona A., Kris W., Jen L., Merry L., Jennifer M.—MY BETA READERS—THANK YOU!! Merry, thank you for the music suggestion. Juana, Karen, Emily, Lucinda, Jennifer B., Stacy, Farrah, Lindsey, Jodie, Jennifer R., Jennifer L., Dona, Kris, thank you all for listening to me blather on and on about my book! Just having you to listen was priceless. To my May Mommies! Wow! Together since 2004/2005 and still going strong. Thank you for your support. All of you. I know my book isn’t one that some of you would choose to read, but knowing that I have your support is very important to me. And, to Sean! I guess you’d be a “May Daddy”? Thank you so very much for always being willing to answer my questions!
Thank you to all of my family and friends who will buy this book just because I wrote it! I know some of you will never actually read it, but knowing that you’d buy it just to show your support is humbling and heart-warming. Also, thanks to all of my family and friends who helped me get my Facebook page up and running. You were among my first likes on that page and now it’s nearing 1000 likes before I’ve even hit publish. Thanks for being there from the beginning.
To new friends! I’ve been in the world of indie authors on Facebook just over a month now, and I’ve met some of the most kind, helpful, genuine people I’ve ever known. I am in awe at the support of bloggers and authors; it truly feels like a tight-knit little community. Laura C., LW Michelle, Colleen L. Eryn S., Ava M., Cristy R., are just a few names that have quickly become my friends and have helped me more than I can explain. I can’t even begin to list all of the others who have offered support and answered questions for me! I’m excited to be in this little world with all of you!
To my readers, THANK YOU for taking a chance on For Nicky!! I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please leave me a review and tell your friends to read For Nicky! I hope you will continue on this wild ride with me and follow Audrey’s story as well. I think Nicky may even get his own story. You just never know!
From the bottom of my heart, to ALL of you, THANK YOU!!!