The McCall Initiative Episode 1.1: Deception

by Lisa Nowak

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  Thanks for taking the time to read The McCall Initiative. Did you know that leaving a review is the number one thing you can do to help an author? Books with a limited number of reviews aren’t promoted by the distributor, can’t be considered for certain ads, and won’t entice readers who are afraid to take a risk on an unknown author. It would really make my day if you’d consider leaving an honest review on the site where you purchased this book.

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  Acknowledgments

  One of Tom McCall’s strengths was his ability to recognize other people’s good ideas and transform them into reality. He was a catalyst—a person who could bring together various elements to create something greater than the sum of their parts. A similar thing happened to me when I began planning this series. As I talked to people about my idea for the Pacific Northwest to secede in response to a rush of climate refugees, they offered all kinds of great insights, plot twists, and details. I learned there was already a movement to form “Cascadia,” a bioregion that would define the Pacific Northwest in its own terms. Drawing upon that history, along with Portland’s culture and colorful past, I was able to put together something much more interesting than what I would have dreamt up on my own. The bottom line is, I can’t take credit for everything in this story.

  That said, I’d like to thank those who contributed awesome ideas and details: Laura Marshall, Marla Bowie LePley, Beth Miles, Alice Lynn, Barb Froman, Angela Carlie, Julian Blankenship, Roxie Matthews, Moma Escriva, Pat Lichen, Bob Earls, Rose Lefebvre, Magan Vernon, GP Ching, Jacqueline Carl, Helen Wand, Mark Petruska, Craig Hansen, Jessica Greif, Gretchen Sass, and Neil Bradley.

  I’d also like to express my appreciation to my critique groups, Chrysalis and Wow, my copy editors, Allison Hitz, Bob Martin and Amy Rose Davis, and my great team of beta readers: Beth Miles, Elle Strauss, Alice Lynn, Barb Froman, Melanie Curry, Bob Martin, Angela Carlie, Stacey Wallace Benefiel, Connie Barr, Sharon White, and Cari Jermann.

  A lot of research went into this book, and many people assisted with that, including Zack Barrer at the White Eagle Saloon, who was kind enough to give me a tour of the establishment. The staff at Pittock Mansion provided fascinating information about Cascadia’s “White House,” and those at the concierge desk of the Benson Hotel answered myriad questions about the layout of that building. Joe Streckert of Portland Walking Tours was also helpful, educating me about Portland’s sordid past and clearing up myths about the Shanghai Tunnels. The staff at the Central Branch of the Multnomah County Library (which becomes the Congress building in this series) helped me access additional information about both the tunnels and Portland history, but that should be no surprise because librarians are just cool that way.

  I’m particularly grateful to Alexander Bartich for the use of his Doug flag. I had enough work to do without having to design one of my own. How fortunate that he’d already done so, and that the Timbers Army have helped to popularize it. It’s always nice when you can incorporate existing cultural references into your work.

  There’s a strong soccer element in this series, and I know nothing about the sport, but fortunately, I have friends who do: Sean and Wendy Herrin and Kelly Garrett. Thank you for explaining the nuances, as well as how soccer compares to American football.

  I’ve always been fascinated by medicine, but it wasn’t until I set out to create a character with a medical background that I realized how much I don’t know. Sharon White and Cari Jermann spent a great deal of time in person and through email educating me. In addition, Christine Fletcher, a veterinarian and talented YA author, provided a number of valuable details that I can’t talk about here without creating spoilers.

  Another of my interests is meteorology, and again, I didn’t realize how little I knew about it until I started reading the Fox 12 Weather Blog. One day, I will find the time to study up on the subject. In the meantime, I owe a huge debt to KPTV channel 12 Chief Meteorologist Mark Nelsen for reading my manuscripts and fact-checking my climate data.

  While Zoey might be a computer genius, I am not. I am indebted to Max Bell and Neil Bradley for providing the technological information to make this series accurate. Both spent time educating me, but Neil went above and beyond, chatting with me endlessly on Facebook until he drummed some basic computer concepts through my thick skull.

  Finally, I’d like to thank my husband Bob Earls who knows much more about politics, government, and history than I ever will. He’s spent more hours than he probably cares to count discussing the fine details of the plot with me and talking me out of bad decisions. While it might be annoying to be blindsided by statements like, “you know, Canada would never let all its western ports go without a fight,” I’d rather hear it before publication.

  About the Author

  In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron.

  Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.

  Connect with Lisa online:

  Website: https://www.lisanowak.net/

  Blog: https://lisanowak.wordpress.com/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaNowakAuthor