The Boatmaker (40 page)

GRATITUDE

Getting
The Boatmaker
launched was not an individual task. My gratitude to those who contributed comes in layers and in depths.
The guardian angel of this entire project has been Jeanne McCulloch. Jay was the first publishing professional who thought this book deserved to be published. And she backed up her opinions with action. She has become not only a mentor but also a wonderful friend.
Jay introduced me to the remarkable folks at Tin House Books, beginning with Meg Storey, a deft and insightful editor. The boatmaker's vessel is much sleeker and sturdier than it would have been without Meg's touch. Nanci McCloskey's enthusiasm and savvy about marketing have been instrumental in getting
The Boatmaker
down the ways. Jakob Vala's fine eye has given the words a cover and interior design that bring out the best in them.
Lauren Cerand has been much more
than a very effective publicist. She has been the trusted guide every first-time author needs to the rich and rapidly changing world of book publishing.
Every writer needs an inner circle of Old Believers who read his work before it is ready for the eyes of the world. I have been fortunate to have three: Alan Benditt, Nina Sernaker and Elisabeth King. With infinite care and love, they read an early draft of
The Boatmaker
. Their response made me feel there was something in this tale worth pursuing. Elisabeth deserves special mention for her selfless love and support.
Deeper down is the family, which is the matrix from which everything comes. I am grateful to my other brothers, Joshua and Charles Benditt, for their enthusiasm on reading the manuscript in draft. Long ago my mother, Marcella Benditt, kindled my love of reading and writing. She taught us what a well-made thing looks like.
Finally, all the way down, near the keel of the dream, where there are no images, this book is dedicated to the memory of my father, Earl Benditt, who was an original and a boatmaker.
Godspeed, Skipper
.