by Tara Omar
Norbert held back a tear as he watched the boy disappear into the night.
A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S
To the following people I extend my sincere appreciation for their invaluable contributions to the production of The Merman’s Mark:
Catherine Boulle, for her perceptive editing input and human resource management; Anton Enus, for his encouragement and sagacious writing advice; Danilo Acquisto, for his support and marketing efforts in South Africa; Sumaya Sablay, for her insightful review; and to my editor Megan Tennant, for the painstaking effort she put into this project and the profound effect she had on its outcome. I am also exceedingly grateful to Michelle Kasper, whose meticulous editing and impeccable design took the story far beyond my expectations.
A special thanks is also extended to Lynn Mitchell, Terry McMahon Putz, John Cotey and Scott Fech for being such inspiring teachers and mentors, and to my parents, Lee Ann and Donald, for filling my childhood with stories, creativity, imagination and wonder.
I also thank all those persons who have invested time and wisdom into my life but remain unnamed.
Lastly, I cannot begin to describe the depth of gratitude I owe to Nassar Omar, who insisted I write the book in the first place and whose selfless and unwavering commitment to my personal development goes well beyond words.
A B O U T T H E A U T H O R
T A R A O M A R is an American writer and entrepreneur living in Cape Town, South Africa. She graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in theology and art, and has also studied viticulture and penguin handling. Things that get Tara really excited include seabird rehabilitation, South African cricket, and cheese. She can be found online at www.taraomar.co.za.
T H E M E R M A N ’ S M A R K
