The Dragons of Noor (32 page)

Dear reader,

This book would not be in your hands were it not for the gifted mentors, colleagues, and friends listed below. I owe my warmest thanks to Regina Griffin and Ruth Katcher for extraordinary story insights, sharp eyes, and pruning shears. Thanks to Nico Medina and all the people of Egmont USA who continue to do six impossible things before breakfast every day; to Paul Young for the gorgeous cover illustration; to Susan Burke for early consults; and to my agent, Irene Kraas, who is my lioness.

I’m ever grateful to Justina Chen, who graciously opened her mountain cabin in summer and winter for writing retreats (so many authors’ books bloomed there); to
Indu Sundaresan, who read the part of the Dragon Queen aloud and gave her a fierce and noble voice. My thanks to the Diviners: Peggy King Anderson, Judy Bodmer, Katherine Grace Bond, Justina Chen, Holly Cupala, Dawn Knight, and Molly Blaisdell, writers whose divining rods find water in the driest of places; to Jaime Temairik, for her artful rendition of the Othic Alphabet and Web site art; and to photographer Heidi Pettit, for the festive launch party photos (
www.litartphotography.net
). Praise and gratitude to the intrepid independent booksellers and librarians who keep books alive in the modern-day world—heroes all.

Finally, the Dragons of Noor slap their tails applauding The Nature Conservancy for their Plant a Billion Trees campaign. Readers interested in helping The Nature Conservancy Plant a Billion Trees in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil are invited to visit them at
www.plantabillion.org
or stop by my “giving back” pages at
www.janetleecarey.com
.