The Last Days of the Romanov Dancers
Page 27
In 2012 I opened a blank document and began the long process of creating this story. Since then, I have come across so many people who have shared their wisdom, given their support, and uplifted me with belief when I no longer had any, and I am so full of gratitude to them all. Specifically, and in no particular order:
Thank you to my wonderfully talented (and funny) agent Haylee Nash of The Nash Agency, for reading my book and instantly ‘getting’ it. I am so lucky to have your support, and I appreciate all the work you’ve done to get this story out into the world.
Thank you also to the amazing and dedicated team at Harlequin, for championing my book and showing such passion for a project by a debut author. In particular, thanks to Rachael Donovan and Julia Knapman for your hard work, kindness, support, and many encouraging words. You made this new and much-longed-for process so much less daunting, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to express how much your enthusiastic feedback has meant after years of self-doubt.
I have been lucky enough to be gifted the extraordinary editorial skills of Nicola O’Shea on this book. Thank you Nicola for the most thorough, insightful, and understanding editing a person could be capable of. You saw what I was trying to do with this book, and helped me get it there. I am in awe of what you do.
To James Bradley, for teaching me so much about writing, and giving me that all-important thing without which many writers would never continue: belief. You don’t know it, but at my most doubtful, it was your belief in my work which kept me going. Thank you also to everyone at Faber Academy, from the organisers to the tutors to the guest speakers, for providing an opportunity to learn about this marvellous, stressful, and rewarding process of writing a book. And to others whose teaching and/or feedback helped me over the years, with special mention of Kate Forsyth and Tara Wynne for invaluable feedback which helped shape the book.
To my husband Ross. Thank you for picking me up and wiping away the tears many, many times. Thank you for investing time, support, and money in this dream of mine. Thank you for proudly telling everyone that your wife was a writer long before I’d ever made it.
To Nelson, for sitting by my side during the long hours I write, when you’d rather be playing with tennis balls. You’re a good boy.
A thank you to family of the Turner, Muller, Houston, or otherwise-named variety, for your support, commiseration, and excitement, and for being a book-loving bunch. Mum and Dad: you finally got to read it! I hope the wait was worth it.
To all the dance teachers I’ve had over the years, who have inspired such a love for this art form. And to everyone I have taught dance to over the years—you gave me back something I thought I had lost. Thank you.
Most of all, thank you to the readers. You make all this possible.
ISBN: 9781489256713
TITLE: THE LAST DAYS OF THE ROMANOV DANCERS
First Australian Publication 2019
Copyright © 2019 Kerri Turner
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