After some research, we discovered that the branding of the novel was all wrong. High school English forever ruins many people on Shakespeare, even people who like to read. So why was I trying to sell people more of what they didn’t like? I ADORE the first cover for this book. The gifted artist who made the cover designed the image right down to the detail of Gruoch’s eye color, just as I asked them to do. The problem? I’m an author, not a cover designer. The book didn’t say Scotland. Of course no one would look at it.
So here were are with a new name, a new cover, and a new plan. Will it work? Hecate only knows. Thank you for reading!
Second Addendum to the Author’s Note
Summer 2016
Just a quick addendum to track the endless fun this book provides! My beloved novel has been through three editors in an effort to weed out all the typos. They are all fabulous people, and I use their services regularly. That said, I was surprised to receive a note from a reader telling me there were a lot of typos in the book. I was confused. When I went back to check the document, I discovered that one set of corrections I made to the book never saved. The edits simply had not saved. How does something like that even happen? I blame the ravens. Alas, the saga continues.
Acknowledgements
A debt of gratitude to:
My family for their tireless support of my writing career.
Muhterem Boz Karsak for all the sigara börek.
Cat Carlson Amick, Becky Stephens, and Jessica Nelson for their help in shaping this novel.
Carrie Wells for answering panicked texts.
My street team, the Airship Stargazer Ground Crew, for all the posts, tweets, fashion advice, positive vibes, and friendship. Your help is much appreciated. Love you guys!
My B.I.C. group members for all of the positive encouragement.
Margo Bond Collins for saving me from the yellow wallpaper.
The many hands that have touched this manuscript over the years. Thank you.
The bloggers! I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the book bloggers for their reviews, promotions, guest posts, and most of all, their time. Thank you for sharing your love of books.
My fans. Thank you for all your help and feedback in the rebranding of this book. I hope I picked a cover you like. Thank you for the feedback!
About the Author
Melanie Karsak is the New York Times bestselling author of The Airship Racing Chronicles, The Celtic Blood Series, Steampunk Fairy Tales, and The Harvesting Series. She also tinkers around with mermaids, witches, and Scottish heroines. A steampunk connoisseur, white elephant collector, and zombie whisperer, the author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College.