Stu Truly

by Dan Richards

  I live between two careers these days and Erin Cunningham is the person who single-handedly keeps all the details straight so that neither world collapses from its own weight. Thank you, Erin, for wearing oh-so-many hats and making each of them look like a perfect accessory.

  Thank you to the Tighty Writeys, an inspiring collection of children’s authors who meet regularly to tell each other how awful our works in progress really are—all done with love, friendship, and mutual admiration. Thank you, Dana, Curtis, Laurie, Kevan, Allyson, Lois, Jeanie, and Dori for believing in me even before Joan did. And that’s saying something.

  Thank you, Cathy, Susan, and Louise for your constant encouragement and feedback. And Conrad, every word that comes out of your mouth is a dissertation on writing. I’ve learned so much, and don’t in any way blame you for how Stu turned out.

  I would know nothing about writing for children if not for the dedicated, and mostly volunteer, folks at SCBWI. What an amazing organization of children’s authors and illustrators.

  I’m blessed to have a family who are not the least bit annoyed at the time I spend locked away in my office laughing at my own jokes. Thank you, Kelly, Anna, and Paul for being the most beautiful, loving, and understanding family a boy—I mean “man”—could ever want. Burgers are on the BBQ, and veggies too, of course. . . .

  I wrote the first draft of Stu Truly while coaching my son’s seventh-grade basketball team, the Trailblazers. Paul and his friends reminded me weekly what it was like being tossed into the early throes of manhood. No, none of the characters are based on you guys. Yes, all of the characters are based on you guys.

  The person most responsible for me being an author is my middle school English teacher, Mrs. Verstegen. Anything you like about this novel is due to her. Anything you don’t like about this novel is also due to her. Sorry, Mrs. Verstegen, but someone has to be held accountable. I’m so glad it could be you!

  Sometimes a book needs an extra boot in the backside to get its act together. Tamra Tuller was the perfect boot for Stu. Thanks, Tamra, for your expert guidance and for treating me like a professional long before I felt like one.

  Stu got his lucky break from my oh-so-fabulous editor, Sonali Fry. Thanks, Sonali, for believing in a story about a boy, his first crush, and a meat float. Yikes, when I put it like that . . . Special thanks to Dave Barrett for your copyediting and proofing expertise. And thanks to the marketing and publicity team, Gayley Avery, Nadia Almahdi, and Crystal McCoy for your over-and-above efforts, and for calling me adorable after our first meeting.

  The Cool Whip on top of the sundae came from Simini Blocker’s artwork and senior designer Rob Wall’s cover design. Thank you both for making the book a visual treat!

  There is nothing scarier when writing a children’s book than having actual children read it. Thank you, teachers Nathan and Shannon, for reading an early draft to your classes, and for your insightful feedback. And remember, what happened in the first draft stays in the first draft. . . .

  And thank you, dear readers, for joining me on Stu’s cringe-worthy journey from childhood to early manhood. I hope his story brought a little humor and perspective to your own journey. In the words of the celebrated poet: “Puberty is best endured with sharp wit and selective memory loss.” Okay, no poet ever said that. But it’s still true.