ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To my agent, the indefatigable John Parker, and my editor the inestimable John Jarrold, and to Steve Stone, artist non pareil! And to Rob Holdstock and Chris Evans for taking Waltz In Flexitime all them years ago.
To my brave readers of the 1st draft – Dave W, Dave McG, Eric, Ian, Fiona, Alison, Stewart, Derek H, Neil, Phil, Al, Craig, Barry, and Niall.
To Stewart Robinson, long-time buddy, soulbrother, musician and guru manque - without whom I might have ended up an MP or an engineer – and Alison, Bobby, Alan, Dave R. and Ann, Colin and Adrienne (and the six-legged beastie known as Tranceport).
To David Wingrove, writer among scribblers, prince among men, whose unfailing friendship and sharp-eyed criticism has helped me reach higher.
To Bill King, Eric Brown, Keith Brooke and Ian McDonald, the four Musketeers of British SF. Salute, mon braves! And to Bill Hicks, who rocked!
To Dave McGillivray, staunch friend and fellow C&C Red Alert addict, and Derek Cameron who knows a good game when he sees one. To Melanie, woman of grace and astonishingly good taste in music; and to Antje – Tuus! And to Gary Gibson, publishing magnate and king of the layouts!
To the Glasgow SF Writers Circle, past and present, including Veronica, Duncan, Neil, Gary G, Gerry, Phil, Paul, Al, Irene, Elsie, Graham, Jims Whyte and Steel, Roddy, Barry (the Ferg), Richard, Craig, John, Andrew J, Mike M. Also, Cuddles, Vince, Brian Waugh, Jim Campbell, Russell, Neil at Fshock.
To Peter and Sarah, and the Cobleys of Leicester, and to the Bradys and the Mackenzies, wherever they may be.
To my English teacher, Miss (Ada) Matheson – well, you did tell me not to stop writing…
To Iain Banks, Elizabeth K Ewing, Bill Grant, Noel Hannan, Bruce Sterling, Norman Spinrad, Simon Ings, Ken McLeod, Jack Deighton, Charles Stross, and Steve Brown – bestowers of advice, encouragement, inspiration and Tao!
To Nick Mahoney and Ian Sales, for the immortal Lyre and Turkey Shoot. And to JFM for squeegeeing my 3rd eye before I even knew I had one.
To the old Strathents Crew, 1979-1983 – they knew no fear! Likewise, the GCCS crowd at Strathclyde Students Union, circa 1983-1988.
To the writers who have inspired me by their example, among whom I include (as well as those already mentioned), Harlan Ellison, John Buchan, JRR Tolkien, David Gemmell, Robert Silverberg, George RR Martin, Tim Powers, David Brin, JV Jones, Roger Zelazny, Vernor Vinge, Jack Vance, Walter J Williams, Robert E Howard, and many more.
And for the music that has provided the score for the writing process – Porcupine Tree, Tranceport, Peri Urban, Black Sabbath, BOC, Berlioz, Shostakovich (specifically the Leningrad Symphony), Carl Orff (Carmina Burana), Vaughan Williams (Tallis Fantasia etc), Van Der Graaf Generator, IQ, Yes, Monster Magnet, Paradise Lost, NIN, Sisters of Mercy, The Tea Party, Ozric Tentacles...and the rest.
And in no particular order, I would like to offer thanks to Gigantor, Noggin the Nog, Marine Boy, Ben Okri, the Prisoner, King Tut`s WahWah Hut, Airfix model kits, the Koei Corporation, and the Café India buffet. Oh yeah!