The Turn of the Tide

by Rosanne Parry

  Poetry has a long, rich history in Japan. In the aftermath of the Sendai earthquake, I often heard reference to a poem by Kenji Miyazawa called “Be Not Defeated by the Rain.” I particularly like the translation by David Sulz. It has much to say about Japanese values and culture.

  Hearty thanks to my agent, Stephen Fraser, who has piloted this and all my stories over the bar of the publishing process, in foul weather and fair. I am lucky to have his steady hand at the helm.This book had a long voyage on its way to the page. Many thanks to my editors—Jim Thomas, who was there from the start, and Michelle Nagler and Jenna Lettice, who brought the story home. The entire crew at Random House did a beautiful job with all the details of design and placement—my particular thanks to Casey Lloyd, Liz Tardiff, and Alison Kolani. And to Julie McLaughlin for the vibrant cover art.

  I am grateful to my critique group for their support over many years: Cheryl Coupe, Mike Gettle-Gilmartin, Cliff Lehman, Lyra Knierem, Barbara Lyles, Nora Ericson, Robin Herrera, and Amy Baskin.

  Early in my research process, I heard Captain Debbie Dempsey speak about her career as the first woman pilot on the Columbia Bar. She was generous and supportive from the start in answering my questions and correcting my errors and offering a heartfelt message to my readers. It is not easy to be an ambitious woman in this world, but she manages to be fiercely professional, dauntless, and kind. I hope she will inspire many an adventure-hungry girl to be a little bolder. She has certainly inspired me.

  I’m grateful to the Child Lit discussion group moderated by Michael Joseph of Rutgers University, which has led to many fruitful connections in my writing life. In the case of this book, I found James Kennedy, former resident of Japan, who introduced me to Zack Davisson, who researches and translates Japanese ghost stories. Zack helped me understand my characters’ fears in greater cultural context.

  Misao Sundahl and Holly Thompson also helped me understand the language and cultural context of a child growing up in Japan.

  I’m grateful to Nicholas McGowen for answering my questions about coast guard operations, small boat safety, and navigational conditions on the Columbia River. Jonathan Parry provided helpful information about the navy.

  Thank you to my first reader, Colette Parry, for her generous readings and insightful suggestions. Thank you to my husband, Bill, for his very spontaneous purchase of a beautiful but dilapidated sailboat many years ago. He mended it, and together with our children we learned how to sail, which has made our lives richer and wilder and more beautiful than before.

  And finally, thank you to Ursula K. Le Guin, who wrote A Wizard of Earthsea, a story Bill and I loved from our childhoods, a story that made us long for a little sailboat and a life full of big adventures.

  Rosanne Parry is always searching for the perfect wind in her sailboat, the Selkie; the perfect word in her tree-house writing studio; and the perfect book for patrons at Annie Bloom’s Books. She is the author of Heart of a Shepherd, Second Fiddle, and Written in Stone. Rosanne lives with her family in Portland, Oregon. Visit her at RosanneParry.com.