by Gavin Neale
One of the advantages of having a book published and feeling a little like a proper writer is that you can phone up an expert to ask them questions and if you get very lucky they will answer. For this book I was able to speak to the incredibly talented swordsmith Rob Miller of Castle Keep on the Isle of Skye and I am extremely thankful for his insight and explanations. Any mistakes regarding the practicalities of sword making in this book are entirely mine and should not be laid at the door of any runesmith or swordsmith.
I was lucky enough that Ant and Emma stepped up and provided feedback on an early draft so I hope you don’t mind how much the book changed and what comments I did and didn’t listen to.
Various friends, family, and colleagues have been incredibly supportive of the first book and talked to me about this one for which I am eternally grateful, so in no particular order my thanks go to Dan, Brooke, Natalie, Tony, Tewkes, Rory, Jon, Dave, Clive, Deb, Sarah, Brenda, Alice, Alison, Lila, Kris, Kevin, and Rob.
None of this would be possible if my partner Rachael wasn’t still prepared to tolerate me tapping away at keyboards for hours on end, plotting things in my head whilst we’re out on walks, and generally being an absent minded writer. I will make it all up to you one day my love, I promise.
Finally, to any of you who have read or bought my writing, thank you, I truly appreciate your time and interest. I hope you enjoy the reading as much as I do the writing.