Set the Stars Alight
Page 36
Donald W. Olson, forensic astronomer and astrophysicist at Texas State University, whose book Celestial Sleuth explored Geoffrey Chaucer’s Franklin’s Tale. This, along with the true account of a 1773 ship found buried beneath the former site of the World Trade Center, first sparked the idea for this story.
The seventeenth-century Swedish warship Vasa, so heavily ornamented and armed, by order of the king as a symbol of his hopes for his reign. Sadly, it proved unseaworthy in its top-heavy state and sank within minutes of embarking on its maiden voyage. It served as subtle inspiration for the Jubilee’s origins.
St. Clement’s Caves in West Hill, Hastings, East Sussex, which served as one of the cave-network inspirations for the story—and where Victorian balls truly were held beneath ground in the 1800s.
The many other places of subterranean wonder—some of which made their way into the book, and many of which could not, for sheer lack of story space. I’ll be sharing more about these on social media when this book releases, and I hope you’ll tune in to share the wonder!
The poet Luci Shaw, who drew my attention to the meaning of the phrase, “Pay attention.” May we all stretch toward the wonders around us—may we pause to think on their significance.
To the Rabbit Room folks, who brainstormed wonder with me, and brought to my attention the delight of Chimney Swifts, among many other awe-striking things, and who lent a hand with translating Latin to help come up with a motto for the worshipful company of clockmakers: Katie Daniels, Matt Kunz, Jennifer Major (yes, pig latin counts!), Elizabeth Allen, Ima Virginia Justus, Gatlin Bredeson, Beth Bowen, Bill Smithfield, Dustin Ashenfelder (and here is where we ask—how many rabbits does it take to translate four words into Latin? Answer: Depends on how many translations you want!). So thankful to have had such outpouring of help. The Worshipful Company of Clocksmiths thanks you, too.
The “Worshipful Company of Clocksmiths” is a nod to the very real Worshipful Company of Clockworkers. The slight name change has been to honor their own traditions and mottoes, a nod that those included in the story are slightly different from (though definitely inspired by) theirs.
In like manner, the fictional Committee for Maritime Archaeology borrows its inspiration from the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology. To the OCMA: Many thanks for the intriguing work you do in studying things once-submerged or currently submerged. The fictional CMA surely departs from how things are truly done in the OCMA and was invented to protect the integrity of what you do, not wishing to change it for story’s sake.
The Bow Quarter of London, which served as inspiration for Candlewick Commons. Once a matchstick factory, now a hub of London flats and the lives lived there.
Cecil Court, that bookish cobbled road lined with aged tomes. The place in all my London wanderings long ago that felt most like home. And next in line, the British Museum Reading Room. Lucy loved it because I loved it. When in London, friends, do be sure to stop by.
To the kind gentleman at the star party my family attended. You were waiting outside on the patio with your telescope while the lecture transpired inside. And while I tried so hard to track with the astrophysics being discussed within, my silly brain couldn’t quite wrap itself around the lofty subjects, and it was my husband whose countenance lit up at it. So I slipped out the side door to take a turn watching our kids run on the lawn, and you graciously explained to me your telescope. How it worked, what we would see first in the sky, and how you used to race with your very cherished friend to see who could find the constellation first. The astrophysics that night were fascinating. The stars were glorious. But it was your story of community and friendship among the star party society that dug its way into this story’s heart, and I thank you for sharing yours.
To NASA. Never could I ever have imagined I’d get to thank NASA in the acknowledgments! But thank you, thank you, to the NASA Wallops Island flight facility for allowing me to take part in the launch of the Antares rocket launch carrying the NG-12 Cygnus spacecraft to the International Space Station. The tours, the press conferences, the chance to speak with the scientists and taste the cookies the astronauts would be baking once the oven arrived . . . It was unforgettable. And, of course, so was the launch. You made Dash’s work that much more real to me for the writing of this book, and I thank you.
To the crews of the International Space Station. We wave at you often from our driveway in the dark as the ISS passes on by . . . and we hope your days are filled with wonder. You certainly help spin wonder into our lives! Maybe you’ll wave back sometime?
The P.A.G.E.S. Crew book launch team—how can I thank you for the way you give of yourselves to help these stories make their way into the world? I’m so grateful for the way you pour your hearts and skills into the bookish world.
To my Ben, who is so embodied in Dash. I had more fun than I can say writing him, writing the easy camaraderie and laughter and cheesy jokes and banter that he and Lucy shared. In many ways, they are us. Their story, reaching so far back, is so akin to ours. I’m thankful for your friendship, I’m thankful for your love. P.S. Thanks for not minding my stealing your shoes.
To Mom and Dad, for giving us stories that echo with the Great Truth.
To my brother and sister and brothers- and-sisters-in-law. Your friendships and examples are treasures to me!
To Raela Schoenherr, who sat with me beneath the redwoods at a writing conference many years ago and first heard the idea for this story. To Raela again, and Karen Schurrer, and Elizabeth Frazier: all three editors extraordinaire along with the entire Bethany House team, who have ushered this story on to completion and made it better in a thousand ways.
To Wendy Lawton, agent and friend, who believed in this story for so very long and with so much heart.
And to the Maker of the Stars, the Author of Wonder, the Creator of our hearts, who, as the watchmaker says, is “coming, and coming, and coming after you. Always.” Thank you for pursuing my heart. For not giving up on me, and for breathing life into this world in the most beautiful ways. You give us hope. You give us life.
Amanda Dykes is a drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She’s a former English teacher and the author of Whose Waves These Are, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten Romance debut, as well as three novellas. Find her online at www.amandadykes.com.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Books by Amanda Dykes
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Epigraph
Prologue
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Epilogue
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
List of Pages
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