What does freedom look like? Is it having enough wealth to carve my own path, control of my destiny? Is it revenge or justice or simply accepting the past for what it is, as damaged and painful as it may be?
I spent so long searching for the family I lost in the ashes of that burnt Acadian village that I almost missed the family that’s right in front of me: Fagin. Nico.
Now there’s a new choice, one of hundreds—big and small—to come: Run and let dark forces divide and conquer us or stay and let love mend my soul into something stronger than it was before.
I can see freedom. I know my choice.
I follow Nico.
The End
* * *
Acknowledgements
Bringing a finished novel into the world— polished and ready for public consumption—is not a solitary process. It’s true that writers sit alone at their desks, open a vein and spill their souls onto an empty page, hoping to have an impact on the world, one reader at a time. But if an author is lucky—and smart—they assemble an army of experienced publishing professionals who provide expertise, and have a network of family and friends who cheer and support the birth a tiny miracle that the writer can, one day, lift to the heavens from Pride Rock and proclaim: “I made this! Behold the glory of my creation!”
I have been incredibly lucky. I am occasionally smart, too, because I have an army.
First, I owe everlasting thanks, and profound gratitude, to the amazing and dedicated Indie publishing professionals who provided expertise, and a good kick in the pants to jump start my motivation (when needed):
Thank you, Dawn Ius—my book coach through Author Accelerator—for your guidance, encouragement, and for setting deadlines as I tore the original story—told from the wrong character’s perspective—down to the studs and rebuilt it. I couldn’t have gotten the book done without your expertise and support. Love you, girl! (And a huge thank you to Author Accelerator for connecting me with Dawn. Your book coaches are awesome!)
Thank you to editor, Ryan Boyd, who helped tighten the story in its final revision stage. You always provides concise, actionable feedback in a life-giving way that makes me want to be a better human, not just a better writer. I don’t say this because I’m your mother, although giving birth to you was one of the great joys of my life (ok, maybe not the birth itself because...pain). I love working with you, and the experience yielded one of the funniest bits of feedback I’ve ever received (“Mom! The em-dashes!”).
Many thanks to Dr. Joe Pesce, astrophysics expert with George Mason University and the National Science Foundation, who provided invaluable assistance with the time travel science pieces of the book. Up for another book project, Joe? (Psst... writers: If you don’t know about the Science and Entertainment Exchange, a program of the National Academy of Sciences that connects content creators with scientists for all types of creative endeavors, you should!)
Finally, a huge thank you to the talented people who provided a myriad of Indie publishing services to get the book ready to publish: Chrissy at Damonza.com for the KICK ASS book cover design. It’s fabulous; Bryan Cohen of Best Page Forward for the fantastic book blurb; Mark Dawson and James Blatch of The Self-Publishing Show podcast and Self-Publishing 101/Advertising for Authors training courses); Michael Anderle, Craig Martelle, and the entire 20BooksTo50k® community for your storytelling passion and publishing expertise in the Indie publishing community.
Beyond the professional relationships, I’m lucky and grateful to have family and friends who support and encourage me in all things (except for the unfortunate crunchy perm phase in the 80s. I mean, what the hell, guys... you just let me go out like that without saying a word?)
To my family: Jason (my amazing first-born and a talented writer in his own right), daughter-in-law, Sami, and kids — Serenity, Kieran, Sahara, Chloe, Kayley, and Alex (and the aforementioned Ryan). Thank you for loving me and being the support system I need even when my coffee isn’t strong enough, I’m hangry or haven’t had enough sleep. You’re the best of me and I love you.
THANK YOU to my writing brainstorming group in Chicago: Hollie Smurthwaite, Llewella Forgie, Susan Levi, Lyssa Menard, and Danielle Baron. I’ve learned so much about writing, and the art of creative brainstorming, from each of you. When I was stuck, you helped unstick me. When I needed beta readers, you were there. THIEVES would’ve been much harder to write without you. I’m proud to call you my friends and fellow authors.
Thank you to Linda Rodriguez, Sally Tyler (for signal boosting the book cover voting on your Facebook page), Michael Kampf, Jen Batson, Andrea Surovek, Sharon Dillon, Erin Leavell, Susan Wade, Tyler Risk, Mary Canada, Maggie Kujawa, and Maria Perez, and so many others (you know who you are. I see and love you) for the support and enthusiasm.
Finally, a massive THANK YOU to you, the readers, for coming on this journey with me. I hope you enjoyed reading THIEVES as much as I loved writing it. There’s more Clémence and Nico to come.
Lyn South
July 2020
Citations
Boyd, Ryan and South, Lyn. “The Queen’s Riddle” Copyright 2020.
Anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet. “Riddle #9: My Dress is Silver”. Beowulf Longman Cultural Edition, pg 171, Riddle 9. 2004.
Wyatt, Sir Thomas. “I Find No Peace.” Public Domain,
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About the Author
Lyn South is a Chicago-based Science Fiction and Paranormal Romance author. Her favorite characters to write are fierce women who rise from the ashes to overcome impossible odds. She loves dogs--especially her Goldendoodle, Indy--motorcycles, outdoor adventures, and all things British. Her first book, THIEVES, is a Science Fiction Time Travel
