A Commodore of Errors (50 page)

Jaime Pineiro cheered me on from the helm of his beautiful sailboat as we traversed Biscayne Bay in the afternoon—day after glorious day—while I was writing the book.

Keith McKinney responded with memorable enthusiasm when I first told him my idea for a novel so many years ago while vacationing on the North Fork of Long Island. His words of encouragement sustained me until I began writing a full decade later.

Frank Reider also responded fervently when we discussed my book idea over lunch way back when. Frank's ardor for the book remains undiminished and for that I am grateful.

Dave King wrote
Self Editing for Fiction Writers
, which is
the
indispensible book for the first-time novelist, or any novelist for that matter. Dave's blue pencil marked up my pages and brought my rough draft to life. Thank you, Dave. I recommend you and your book to every writer I know.

Marty Smith set me on the right path many years ago, yielding only a cocktail napkin and a ballpoint pen while we sat at the bar at my brother's wedding.

Stephen Pollan, another great and generous man, has been more helpful to me than he may know. He listened with compassion when I informed him that I wrote a novel and had certain hopes for it. That he took me seriously, that he took my call at all, I am so grateful for. He cared enough to help me out and for that, how can I ever adequately thank him? I will start by saying: Thank You, Stephen.

Stephen put me in touch with Herb Schaffner and Herb took over from there. To my great and everlasting delight Herb “got” my book. “It needs some
work, though,” he said. Herb served dual roles as both my editor and agent. More than that, he has been my trusted advisor on everything to do with the book business. He and his colleagues at Schaffner Media Partners are consummate pros. This book would be nothing but a yellowed manuscript by now if you had not come along, Herb. I cannot thank you enough.

Julie Matysik acquired the book for Skyhorse and was my editor, and what a fine editor she was for my book. She took great care with the manuscript, took great care with me—a first-time novelist—walked me through the whole process, answered my calls, answered my emails. Julie has been a joy to work with. Thank you so much, Julie.

Thanks to the great team at Skyhorse: Tony Lyons, Bill Wolfsthal, Esther Bochner, Nina Boutsikaris, and Abigail Gehring.

My grandmother told me that I should write a book one day and that it should be about her. Well, Nana, I did and it is. I think you would have liked it.

My mother, Betty Jacobsen, filled me from a young age with great storehouses of confidence that I could do anything I set my mind to. For that, and for her, I am most grateful.

My son, Liam, will turn six when his father's book comes out. For as far back as he can remember his father has been writing a book. Thank you for your great understanding, Liam. So sorry that you can't read it until you're eighteen.

My wife, Silvana, was enormously patient with me while I wrote this book. When a woman as beautiful as Silvana has that kind of faith in you, a guy can't help but feel like the luckiest guy in the world. I know that I am.

And, finally, to the kindred souls who have mustered over the years in the foyer between Fourth and Fifth Company, this book's for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Captain John Jacobsen, a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, spent fifteen years plying the world's oceans as a ship's officer on cargo and passenger vessels. Today, Jacobsen is a harbor pilot in the Port of Miami and the Chairman of the Biscayne Bay Pilots Association. His notes and diaries over the years inform his writing. He lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife and son.