Thank you.

“Thanks.”

It’s not something we’re encouraged to say a lot these days. The myth of the self-made person is quite pervasive in Western society, and the pressure to pull yourself up and succeed is immense. I was reflecting on how I’ve got to where I am now, and I want to pause and thank a few people.

One of my colleagues made a comment to me the other day that a completed book is never a solo effort; it’s the result of the hard work of numerous people, both directly and indirectly. That got me thinking, so here (in no particular order) are a few of the people who have helped me on my writing journey:

Simon: The first person to read any of my work. He kindly delved into the Inspector Ambrose stories, and has been the first person to see any of my work as it’s come out. Thanks, Simon.

Laura: Someone who has given me lots of excellent feedback, along with many small adjustments to my copy edits. Her eye for detail and upbeat analysis has always been amazing and insightful. Thanks, Laura.

Lisa: As someone with experience in publishing, Lisa has helped me plot my journey from here. Her wisdom and insight has been necessary to help me get through my uncertainty. I don’t take it for granted, and I know she means every work she says. Thanks, Lisa.

Tanya: As a published author, Tanya was able to give me insight into he novel-writing ways before I was even close to starting on my manuscript. Thanks, Tanya.

All my beta readers: There are quite a few people who have read my work in its unpublished form, so I won’t try to name all of you! But the insights of my friends, colleagues, and family have helped me round out my work as I’ve gone along; each person brings a new perspective and notices different things. Thanks, beta readers.

My wife: Without my wife’s support, I wouldn’t have got far. I can’t even begin to express my gratitude for the support I’ve received from my wife over the past couple of years. I know she doesn’t give compliments lightly, so I’ve appreciated every piece of feedback she’s given me. Thanks, Tiff.

So there you go. If you’ve made it this far, you may be thinking “that’s nice, but what’s your point, Ian?” Well, I’m glad you asked. Go back to the top of this post, and you’ll see what I mean: a book is the result of the hard work of innumerable people. If it takes a village to raise a child, it certainly takes a family to write a book.

Thanks. 🙂