Acknowledgments
Authors are asked to promote not only their books but themselves, with book tours, book trailers, interviews, blogs, and an active social media presence. And connected to these campaigns is the most irritating promotional addendum of all: the acknowledgments page.
SAM SACKS, “AGAINST ACKNOWLEDGMENTS,” NEW YORKER
In lieu of listing esteemed colleagues and famous friends (including Oprah and three Supreme Court justices) who offered invaluable insights as they pored over this book, I wish to thank a small team at Zondervan whose hard work and critique have added immeasurably to the final product. I am deeply indebted to Katya Covrett, executive editor, who kept very close tabs on the book from beginning to end. Twice she steered the manuscript out of a messy morass, helping me to become grounded and to see the way forward. My frequent interaction with Dirk Buursma, senior editor-at-large, in the final editing process has truly been a pleasure. Jesse Hillman, senior marketing director, has had a keen eye for detail and a commitment to carry my story to a wide audience. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Stanley N. Gundry, senior vice president and publisher. Without his confidence in me decades ago in the early 1980s—and since—I would not be a writer today.
Even with the best team of professionals, however, I could not have written this book without the encouragement and repeated editing of my husband, John Worst. Fully aware of the emotional toll the writing was taking, he maintained a steady hand every step of the way. He loves words, and his replacement verbs or nouns can be found, I’m sure, on every page.