Читать книгу A Land Divided - Jack Wills - Страница 6

Acknowledgments

This novel is written with Eastern Oregon as the setting throughout most of the book. Although some places and people are real and named, they are presented in a factual manner as presented in the news (or other public domain information) or in a fictional manner. Any reference to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation has significant public exposure and is established fact or is clearly fiction. Facts regarding the occupation can be viewed online. I would like to acknowledge the many media organizations for their tireless work to obtain the news regarding the events surrounding the occupation. Much of my background information comes from The Oregonian, The Register Guard, The Statesman Journal, The Bend Bulletin, Oregon Public Broadcasting, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, but other organizations have significantly covered the occupation and the issues surrounding it. I have also depicted the area, including the towns of Burns and Hines. These depictions are purely fictional and do not represent those areas factually or real places are used fictionally. I also read Rage on the Right by Lane Crothers. This book provided information that I used as background for some parts of the book.

I would like to thank the following people for their support and hands-on work to help make my book a reality: BriAnne Wills, my eldest daughter and an author in her own right, was my primary reader and editor before the submission to my publisher. The effort she made to improve the novel was nothing short of amazing. Jackie “Jack” Hanna, my youngest daughter, was the initial inspiration for the story. We spent an evening in Sun River, Oregon, fantasizing about a possible story line. Cindy Cannon, my loving partner, read and critiqued the book; but more importantly, she made the space and time for me to labor over the creation of the book. Jerry Allen, my “brother from another mother,” responded rapidly to my request to read the manuscript. He provided a quick and very helpful critique and editing response. Scott Richards, my birding photographic buddy and friend nearly forty years, has been a companion during my exploration of the area surrounding the refuge, and he is also inspiration for some of the characterization in the novel (only he would know for sure). Mary Wills, my sister and fellow in commiseration, and her husband, Jim O’Donnell, provided willing ears for talking about the progress of the manuscript.

I would also like to acknowledge Mark Sussman, senior publication consultant for Newman Springs Publishing, for his persistent patience in explaining the publishing process and in helping me get connected to Newman Springs Publishing. I thank publishing directors, Beau Rankin and James Gordon for shepherding my project to completion.