Song of the Shaman (21 page)

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the People’s Republic of Brooklyn for inspiring me to write this book. I am ever grateful to those who helped me along the way:

My agent, Regina Brooks, for her steadfast support. Nancy Peske and Lisa Shea for insightful editing. Catherine Texier for historical fiction guidance. Janet Goldstein and Elizabeth Marshall for sage publishing advice. Deirdre Fishel for story feedback. Elizabeth Kugler for proofreading. Laura Duffy for dramatic book cover design. A picture is worth 72,000 words.

I also wish to thank again the many friends, family, and colleagues who took the time to read parts or all of the manuscript, offer valuable comments, or help spread the word. My life, and this book, is richer because of you:

Amy Torres, Bisi Ideraabdullah, Brooklyn Society Writers, Dalia Hagiescu, Emma Farry, Folade Bell, Joan and Eddie Olbrich, Liat Justin,
Margaret
Vendryes,
Margo Galpin, Maura Collins, Natasha Dure, Noel James, Regina O’Malley, Robin Harris, Sue Trott, Trisha Wang, Yvonne Presha. Thanks to all my wonderful writing teachers over the years.

Most of all my deepest gratitude and appreciation goes to my husband Carlyle and to my sons Hayward and Auguste, whose love formed the roots of this story. Thank you for encouraging my creative journey.

Grateful acknowledgement is made to:

National Museum of the American Indian

CEDIA: Center for the Documentation and Investigation of the Arts

Professor Ron Mills de Pinyas and Jorge Luis Acevedo

About the Author

Annette Vendryes Leach
is a graduate of The New School where she majored in Creative Writing and Comparative Religion. Annette worked as an advertising copywriter for many years before founding a literary book club. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and two sons. Please visit
annetteleach.com
.