to my writing coach , bruce mcallister , a teacher and inspiration throughout my journey ; to all my writing allies ( you know who you are ) , hugh howey for nodding , jeremy laszlo for his computer-magic , julie mcnair and the helping hand of uncle sam , j.k. rowling , sonora joes for keeping me well caffeinated , the random person that first discovered coffee , and to all the bookstores and coffee shops where my muse and i liked to meet up .