No book is ever written alone, especially one that’s unfolded over a decade—as this one has. Aside from the host of names most appropriate to thank in the Chapter Notes, here are the shoulders this book stands on.

The inspiration for this book came seemingly from nowhere, from the invisible place where the muses live. If you’ve ever had an idea visit you, and then keep on revisiting, you know you can take no credit for it. In that spirit, I want to thank the spirit of inspiration. Perhaps one day we’ll understand more about how this works. In the meanwhile . . . come again?

The first versions of the book were presented as interactive talks, and I’m grateful for the dozens of people who showed up, listened well, and gave me such kind and helpful feedback. Thanks especially to Chris and Emily White (it is Chris who informed me that “this is already a book; now I just need to sit down and finish it”), Chris Cloud, Michelle and Paul Radford, Johnny Price, and Brannon McAllister. Many thanks to the Leaf Institute for hosting the second talk. 

The transformation from talk to book was—as those of you familiar with such things will understand—not as simple as expected. Thanks to my beta readers for your patience, your comments, questions, and suggestions, and for being willing to have your faces present in my mind as I wrote. Thanks especially to Lindsey Jones, Emily Gray, Chris Fyock, Eric Barnhart, Stephen St. John, Brian Habig, Adam Bloom, Jon McCord, and Jonathan Allston.

To my family, daily source of wonder and canvas, I love you. To the One who got this all started, s.d.g.