Cubop City Blues (21 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

E
arlier versions of parts of this book originally appeared in the following publications:
Cerise Press, Havana Noir, Las Vegas Noir,
The Normal School, Shaking Like a Mountain, Switchback,
and
Water-Stone Review.

This book would not exist in its present form without the intelligent and careful editorial suggestions of Elisabeth Schmitz, my editor at Grove/Atlantic, her associate, Jessica Monahan, and Michael Hornburg, managing editor; Mark Statman and Rufi Cole, who read the manuscript and offered valuable advice; and my agent, Elaine Markson, whose encouragement, support, and friendship over the years has been invaluable.

My son, Pablo A., has acted in his usual capacity as sounding board and tuning fork. I show him everything I write. Arístides Falcón Paradí provided much of the information about Cuban music and folklore. My colleagues at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Emerson College in Boston, offered me their trust and friendship. Without them I would be bereft. I also wish to thank Dylan Everdell and Heather Fabrizzi, for their island hospitality and warmth.