Читать книгу The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die: The first book in an addictive crime series that will have you gripped - Marnie Riches, Marnie Riches - Страница 6

Novels are not developed in a petri-dish, and I’m glad they’re not. Writing is perhaps the most fun I could ever have with my clothes on. But it’s arduous graft too. In fact, the path to publication can be so fraught with travails and disappointment, at times, that this author would not have travelled far down it without the help of the following people:

I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my family for their love, unflagging moral support and encouragement, so thanks to Christian, Natalie and Adam, always.

For his loyalty, patience and friendship, I would like to thank my partner-in-crime – special agent, Caspian Dennis. Had he not championed my writing so valiantly, The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die would still be just another file on my laptop.

Thanks are due, of course, to my editor, Katy Loftus and the team at Maze/HarperCollins for their energy and professionalism in publishing and marketing the series, enabling me to push George and van den Bergen out into the big, wide world, where they belong.

Two people whose help was invaluable during the research phase for this novel are Sebastian Tredinnick and my bez, Louise Owen. What they don’t know about Heidelberg ain’t worth knowing. Cheers, guys!

Huge thanks are due to these fine people:

To fellow writers, Steph Williams and Wendy Storer for listening to my almost constant fretting, griping and melodramatic nonsense. They kept telling me I could do this, so I did. To Ann Giles, aka Bookwitch, who persuaded me I have something to offer the crime genre. And to poet, Martin de Mello for his sage-like pronouncements on the other bits of my life.

The idea for The Girl Who Wouldn’t Die took shape during a dinner I had with author, Melvin Burgess, where I realised I could draw inspiration from my own youthful experiences and turn them into the sort of thriller I’d always aspired to write. Ta, Melvin!

Author, Anthony McGowan persuaded me to keep going with the manuscript, even in the face of a difficult birth, so thanks, Tony. The literary stretch marks and knackered pelvic floor have been worth it.

Font of publishing wisdom and excellent mate, Shannon Cullen has spurred me on every step of the way. She told me that I had a voice that people would want to read and steered me in the direction of the Abner Stein Literary Agency, which led me to the esteemed Mr. Dennis. Her encouragement has been vital in my getting to this point. Thanks, Shannon.

Finally, thanks to the charismatic and strong women I met through Commonword/ Cultureword in Manchester. George is for you, ladies! I hope I’ve done her justice.