Read Riders of the Storm Online
Authors: Julie E. Czerneda
Riders of the Storm
The Clan Chronicles:
Stratification:
REAP THE WILD WIND (#1)
RIDERS OF THE STORM (#2)
Â
The Trade Pact Universe:
A THOUSAND WORDS FOR STRANGER (#1)
TIES OF POWER (#2)
TO TRADE THE STARS (#3)
Species Imperative:
SURVIVAL (#1)
MIGRATION (#2)
REGENERATION (#3)
Web Shifters:
BEHOLDER'S EYE (#1)
CHANGING VISION (#2)
HIDDEN IN SIGHT (#3)
IN THE COMPANY OF OTHERS
Stratification #2
DAW BOOKS, INC.
DONALD A. WOLLHEIM, FOUNDER
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
ELIZABETH R. WOLLHEIM
SHEILA E. GILBERT PUBLISHERS
http://www.dawbooks.com
Copyright © 2008 by Julie E. Czerneda.
All Rights Reserved.
DAW Book Collectors No. 1449.
DAW Books are distributed by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious.
Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author's rights is appreciated.
Nearly all the designs and trade names in this book are registered trademarks. All that are still in commercial use are protected by United States and international trademark law.
ISBN: 978-1-1012-1557-9
DAW TRADEMARK REGISTERED
U.S. PAT. AND TM. OFF. AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES
âMARCA REGISTRADA
HECHO EN U.S.A.
There are people you can't imagine your life without, even though you'd never imagined them part of your life years ago. After all, what would a Canadian biologist and a New York editor have in common?
More than you'd think.
Certainly more than I thought, twenty-two years ago (oh, yes) when I sent out my first novel and began that dream. Sheila Gilbert, after all, of DAW, publisher of my favorite books. If our paths ever crossed, I hoped not to gibber like an idiot.
Fourteen years ago, we did speak. On the phone. Which she answered. Herself. Nothing's more terrifying on a cold call, believe me. The brain slides off the desk and lands with a splot. There was gibber. Eventually, as we worked by phone, fax, and e-mail, I became immune. Okay, no. I'd freeze at her name like a deer in the headlights.
I was on my second novel for Sheila when we met in the flesh. Huge hotel lobby, mass of intimidatingly famous sorts, and there she was, smiling at me. I couldn't believe my eyes. You see, I'd worked for years with a tiny, mind-like-a-steel-trap editor who knew everyone and everything in her field, had the work output of thirty normal beings, yet was incredibly gracious and easygoing in person. Sheila? Multiply all that.
I knew then I had a friend on my side, and there was nothing to fear but the writing itself. As I've aimed higher and wider with each book, Sheila believes in me before I do. If I soar a little too wide, I can trust her to swat.
What we have in common? A love of family, of the absurd and wonderful, of big ideas. Our labors together are marked by visits and long conversations, puzzles and DAW Dinnersâ¢, and by friendship. Sheila's part of my life.
Wasn't she always?
© 1997 Michael Gilbert
An even dozen!!! How fun is that? By such a number does a career continue, and I have many people who've helped both career and this book happen.
My thanks to the never-say-it-can't-be-done folks at DAW for the gorgeous presentation of this book. I'd like to thank Elizabeth Glover for her design and to mention, with hugs, Joshua Starr for his patience and helpfulness throughout. Luis Royo went the distance for this cover and, as always, it's exactly right. Thank you very much.
Several individuals, through their generosity at charity auctions and other functions, supplied names for characters in this book. I hope you enjoy! (There was no maiming.) My thanks to Cindy Raskin, Howard Slapcoff, Karina Sumner-Smith, and Kelly Scoffield.
These people kindly read manuscript for me: Timothy Bowie, Jana Paniccia, Jihane Billacois, Janet E. Chase, Ruth Stuart, and Shannan Palma. Suffice to say, the finished product is far better for their input. Thank you!
I've had wonderful hosts over the past year and would like to thank the concoms of Ad Astra, Eeriecon, and Polaris for their hospitality and support. My thanks to Donna Young of the Wright Center and all those who attended her marvelous educator's workshop in California. My special thanks to the many involved with LTUE, especially Charlie, Steve, Aleta, Zina, and Josh, for not only a great convention, but for saving me from that northern snowstorm.
My tenth anniversary contained special celebrations: a fabulous launch at Bakka-Phoenix Books (Toronto), a Science Alumni of Honor Award from the University of Waterloo ably hosted by Bonnie Fretz and Sharon McFarlanel, and the best-ever launch party/reception thrown by DAW at World Fantasy for myself and Kristen Britain. Good times!
Which reminds me. I'd like to acknowledge all those Newsgroup Friends who, aided and abetted by it's-never-enough Jana and whatever-you-need Roger, recorded a DVD of congratulations for that party. Yes, it makes me cry every single time. Fiends, the lot of you.
As our son reminds me, I need to write my Baker's Dozen novel next. Best get back to work.
Thank you!