Setup on Front Street (19 page)

Years ago, when I was playing music for a
living and without any aspirations to writing whatsoever, it was Marda Burton,
New Orleans writer, who convinced me I could become a novelist. At her urging,
I sat down and began the terrifying task of putting a made-up story on paper.
Setup On Front Street
isn't my first
novel, nor my last, but Marda is just as responsible for this one as she has
been for every one that I will ever write.

Thanks to so many successful independent
authors who have finally opened my eyes to the realities of publishing. Without
their trailblazing efforts, I'd still be sending out query letters to
uninterested agents.

Thanks to Wes Hunter of Truman-White Chevron
in Key West for the info on the big Buick Electra 225. I needed a car like that
for a situation in this book and Wes was kind enough to explain it all to me.

And speaking of Key West, I want to thank
all my friends here on this beautiful island for their support and
encouragement, and a big thanks to Key West itself for being a great noir city.
You won't find any of the clichéd Margaritaville stereotypes in these pages.