New Jersey Me

by Ferguson, Rich;

  For their research assistance, thanks to: Bob Amberg (regarding the trees, plants, and vegetation of the Jersey Pine Barrens); Dr. Erna Toback (Mr. Jeepers); Patricia Lane—aka mom-in-law (Mary Kay fact-checking); Dr. Bob (drugs); Dr. Massimo Rossetti (veterinary medicine); Chuck Testa (Ojai Taxidermy); Mukti Garceau & Ishmael Gonzalez (fact-checking my rusty French); Chief Thomas R. Darmody & the Lacey Township PD; Mark Sceurman & Mark Moran, editors of Weird NJ.

  My thanks continue: Stephen Elliott, Ashley Perez, Megan Nico DiLullo, Joe Daly, Reno Romero, Stephanie Barbé Hammer, Nick Belardes, Chevalier’s Books, Jace Daniel, Eddie Gomez, and Aris Janigian—thanks for supporting this book and my writing over the years. Cat Gwynn, thanks for your amazing photos and Buddhist cool! Rev. Dave Stambaugh (inspirational Jersey conversations); Jersey pals—Steve Cronin, Mark McGovern, and Mike Madonia (bits of you are in this book). Scott Rodas of the Ocean County Library and Richard D. Helfant, Executive Director and CEO of Lucy the Elephant (thanks for your long-distance support). Merçi beaucoup to the amazing musicians that have assisted in the recording of various portions of this novel, or have accompanied me while performing it live: Tyson Cornell (guitar), Butch Norton (drums), Jeremy Toback (bass), Josh Haden (bass), Michael Barsimanto (percussion), and Andrew Bush—producer/engineer extraordinaire (Grandma’s Warehouse, Echo Park).

  Much love and gratitude for my parents: Mom, thank you for teaching me how to read, and always nurturing my creativity. Dad, thank you for your support, especially during the hard years, and for always reminding me to keep a sense of humor. Brother Bob, bits of you are in this book, too. Ruth and Steve, thanks for being you, Jersey true, love you both.

  To my wife, CLS Ferguson: thank you for your love and support, and for giving me the courage and inspiration to pull this book out of the drawer, to finish the job I started. A shout out to my dog, Sadie, for remaining faithfully by my side as I typed and typed all my rewrites. To the dynamic ladies at Rare Bird: Julia Callahan, Hailie Johnson, Winona Leon, Alice Marsh-Elmer; thank you for your wonderful work and support. To my publisher, Tyson Cornell: a world of thanks, my friend, for believing in me, and my book when it was a glorious mess.

  Lastly, I am forever indebted to my editor, Seth Fischer, and my writing mentor, Sid Stebel. You are truly two fine gentlemen that kicked my ass until I bled a story.