Out Past the Stars
Page 38
The other BodyGuards were waiting on the landing pad. They all snapped to attention at Emmory’s silent command and Gita stepped forward.
“Your Imperial Majesty, welcome home.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing a book in the midst of burnout was a new experience for me, made even more challenging by doing edits in the midst of a pandemic and then more edits as a series of necessary protests rocked my country. The sense of loss as I say good-bye to these characters and this story that has dominated a decade of my life is nothing compared to the sense of loss felt by Black people in a system that relentlessly grinds them down and treats their lives with such callous disregard.
Black Lives Matter. Black Trans Lives Matter.
I have been lucky enough to be a white person telling the story of a woman with Indian ancestry in a world filled with as diverse a cast of characters as I could manage. A world that has some hope for a future better than what we have now. Any mistakes and shortsighted bias in this or other books are solely my responsibility and not on the endless list of people who’ve helped me along the way with numerous representation questions.
This is a long list of thanks, buckle in, kiddos.
I would be remiss to not mention the people who kept me alive through this—my partner, Don, for their unfailing ability to make me laugh at precisely the right moment. My friends and family who checked in, who listened when I cried about not being able to write, who sent me messages and showed up to give their love and support. Everything I do here, I do because of you. Thank you especially to Lisa, Rob, Beena, Mike, Jenny, Rook, Hannah, Jenn, Lion, Katrina, Jo, Kallyn, and CJ. I love you all.
A special shout out to Cass Morris for talking with me about language for a ridiculous amount of time purely so I could make a joke work. You are an amazing human being and friend. I love you lots.
To my agent, Andy Zack, for your unfailing support and tireless effort. Thank you for taking a chance on Hail and on me and for all the work you do.
Thanks to the amazing people at Orbit, starting with my previous editor, Sarah Guan, and my current editor, Nivia Evans, who took up the difficult task of finishing out this trilogy with a great deal of grace and insight. Creating a book isn’t a solo endeavor and my thanks go out to Paola Crespo and Laura Fitzgerald in Marketing, Angela Man and Ellen Wright in Publicity, Rachel Goldstein in Managing Editorial, Lauren Panepinto and her amazing team in the Art Department, Stephan Martiniere for his stunning covers that brought the world of the Farian War to life, and anyone else I may have forgotten to name specifically.
To the Crew on Patreon: Allyson Burns, Amy Ottinger, Ana Ramsey, Andrew Marshall, Anna Sierra, Annie Muirhead, Beena, Blair MacGregor, Brandi Blackburn, Brenda, Brendon Towle, Caroline Morris, Cass Morris, Christine Hanolsy, Christine Mendoza, Christy Stevens, CleverByHalfProductions, Crini, Crystal Bollinger, CynnieZee, Cynthia Porter, Dan Cole, Danica Redfern, Danielle Billing, Dee, Donnie J., E. W., Emory Noakes, Evaine Devereaux, Florence, Freaktiful, Girl In Space, Glori Medina, Greg Sideyr, Heather Ruth, Heather W., Ian Stewart, Jean Hontz, Jennifer Miller-Smith, Jenny Hanniver, Jeremy Barber, Jessie L. Kwak, Jo O’Brien, Jo Van, Jon Grilz, Josh McGraw, K. Doore, Katherine Moehrke, Kathryn Jonell, Keith Frampton, Kellie Hultgren, Kelly, Kelly Bradford, kerry leehan, Kristen Blount, Kristi Chadwick, Kristyn Merbeth, Larisa LaBrant, Lisa Baxter, Marissa Priest, Matias W., Matt Doyle, Megan Cross, Melissa Shumake, Michael Mock, Natalie J. Case, Paul Holmes, Paul Moss, Paul Weimer, Rae, Rae Grimm, Sandra Clifford Teeple, Sara Piorr, Steve Radabaugh, Tamra Von Strodt, Tara Salinas, The Gayest Jess, Tony James, Tormented Artifacts, Tracey Abla, Uffe Stegmann, Veryl Ann Grace, Vicki Pech, Vivek P., Wendy Perez, and Winx & Ink—I love you all, thanks for going the extra kilometer to support the work I do.
Lastly, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you dear readers. Thank you for your love of Hail and company. Thank you for coming on this journey with me. Thank you for your reviews and your art and your endless support. It means the universe to me and I’m looking forward to our next adventure together.
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meet the author
Photo Credit: Donald S. Branum
K. B. WAGERS is the author of the Indranan War and Farian War trilogies with Orbit and the new NeoG novels from Harper Voyager. They hold a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies and a second-degree black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu. A native of Colorado, K. B. lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains with their partner and a crew of recalcitrant cats. In between books, they can be found attempting to learn Spanish, dying in video games, dancing to music, and scribbling new ideas in their bullet journal. They are represented by Andrew Zack of The Zack Company.
Find out more about K. B. Wagers and other Orbit authors by registering for the free monthly newsletter at orbitbooks.net.
By K. B. Wagers
THE INDRANAN WAR
Behind the Throne
After the Crown
Beyond the Empire
THE FARIAN WAR
There Before the Chaos
Down Among the Dead
Out Past the Stars
NEOG
A Pale Light in the Black
Praise for
THE FARIAN WAR
“Action- and emotion-packed, folding political tension, personal relationships, and trauma into a vivid space opera that does not pull any punches.”
—Library Journal (starred review) on Down Among the Dead
“Twisty and clever and magnificent, full of political maneuvers, space action, and genuine feeling. The end broke my heart in the best sort of way. I cannot wait for the next book.”
—Beth Cato on There Before the Chaos
“Wagers achieves a rare balance of action… tension, and quiet moments, keeping pages turning while deepening the portraits of Hail and the friends and foes around her. Fans of the original trilogy will welcome Hail’s return, and any space opera reader can easily jump in here.”
—Publishers Weekly on There Before the Chaos
“A perfect blend of political intrigue and realistically conveyed action.… Kick-butt women, space battles, complex relationships, and fiendish plots abound.”
—Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog on There Before the Chaos