Warm Nights in Magnolia Bay, Babette Jongh [book club books txt] 📗

Before a word has been written, the book already exists, both fully formed and formless. The story taps a writer on the shoulder and whispers in their ear. It conspires with the universe to bring together a team capable of bringing it into the physical world. The part where the author applies seat to chair and taps out 100,000 words is only a small part of the process. So many serendipitous events, people, and animals made this book happen, so I have many to thank. This book would not exist if not for:

Damon Suede, who said, “Talk to Deb.”

Cat Clyne, who said, “Send a proposal.”

Deb Werksman, my wonderful and supportive editor, who said “Yes!” and welcomed me to the Sourcebooks family with a warm smile, open arms, and a believing heart. Her confidence in me and the stories I am called upon to tell inspires me every day.

The incredible Sourcebooks team, who do the fingernail-biting work that makes me nervous just to think about. Georgia (my dog who inspired the character) thanks them too, because their dedication means that I have more time to write while she warms my feet. (Because as we all know, you can’t write a good book if your feet are cold.)

Nicole Resciniti and Lesley Sabga at the Seymour Agency, who remind me that I can sail through the air and grab for the bar without worrying I might fall. Together, they neutralize my fear of heights.

Lisa Miller, whose Story Structure Safari class taught this pantser how to plot, and the Expedition Gang, whose brainstorming power helped me create a coherent plot for the entire series.

The Plotting Wenches, my tribe of fellow writers, plotters, and schemers, who supply advice and encouragement. When any one of y’all says, “this stinks, and here’s why,” I get excited because I know you’ll help me figure out how to make the pile of whatever I wrote come out smelling like a gardenia.

My family, who inspires me and distracts me and loves me and reminds me on a regular basis that we have a pool in our yard, and that sometimes I need to step away from the computer.

My husband, Hans, who keeps my world spinning by taking care of me and this place and the animals who live here so I can write. (No thanks, BTW, to the Life 360 app for reminding him that I haven’t left the property in the last two months. That might be none of his business, just saying.)

My sister (whom I have never called by her actual name but in the way of the south, she is, simply, Sister), who is a retired nurse. If anything I have written about medical subjects is wrong, it is her fault, not mine. (Sister, I’m just kidding. I’ll take partial responsibility at least.)

My team: Jennifer Newell and Katrina Martin, for tackling technology on my behalf.

My tribe: friends who forgive me for writing instead of socializing; fellow animal communicators, students, clients, and animals (including mine!) who continue to teach me daily.

My readers: I wrote this book for each one of you. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey, and maybe even recognized your own gift of animal communication within these pages. If that recognition feels like an invitation to explore and deepen your abilities, it is. Understanding breeds compassion, and that’s something the world needs. Together, we can save the world, one happy ending at a time. Let’s do it.

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