Sun Bear, all I can do is hurl my gratitude into the spirit world as I never met you. Your book Black Dawn, Bright Day did much to shape my apocalypse and its aftermath.
Michael Meade, of the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, your work on myth, the hero’s journey and the initiation of the soul has been a great inspiration. Thanks for enriching me and so many others.
Vanessa Blackburn of Corvid Aid, whose charity cares for injured corvids, thanks for patiently answering all my questions about crows while I wrote the first draft. The limping crow who foraged outside my office window throughout that year still visits me now.
I’m especially grateful to John Jarrold for helping me knock the first draft into something readable – no small task considering the size of the original manuscript. Also to Fraser Lee for very specific and useful notes – which I’m still using!
On the subject of editing, this last year has been quite a learning experience. Without the input of Steve Haynes, my editor on Blood Fugue, I doubt I’d have been prepared for the magnitude of re-write that was essential for Black Feathers. My attitude, a direct result of working so closely with Steve, meant that I was ready – and willing – to step up and swallow some big cuts and changes. I owe you about a zillion pints and my soul on a plate, Steve!
This “critical maturity” has been a long time coming and was a turning point. Without it, I would also not have been ready for Brie Burkeman, an old-school literary representative who wanted my serious commitment to change before she would take me on. There’s a very special place in all this for her, hyper-agent and no-bullshit driving force that she is. Thank you, Brie. You’re a guiding light.
Several authors have given me a great deal of their time and support while this book developed. Their combined contribution is monumental. To Will Hill, Alison Littlewood, Graham Joyce, Tom Fletcher, Tim Lebbon, Mark Charan Newton, Carole Johnstone, Conrad Williams, Paul Meloy, Matt Cardin, Cliff McNish, Jasper Bark, Don Roff, Sam Enthoven, Adam Nevill and John Costello my sincere and humble thanks.
Big hugs to the bloggers and reporters who read and react to my work most frequently. This is just a few of you: Jim Mcleod, Paul Nadine Holmes, Colin Leslie, Nat Robinson, Lisa Campbell of The Bookseller, Mark Goddard, Adele Wearing, Dave de Burgh, Ben Bussey and Clare Allington.
Two gentlemen warrant particular mention for their backing: Michael Wilson of This Is Horror and Adam Bradley of Morpheus Tales, both of whose support has been constant and unflinching. Thanks, guys. I appreciate it everything you’ve done.
Others who’ve had a hand in the evolution of this novel include Kim Harris, Mary Ann von Radowitz, Rob Goforth, Kim Hoyland, Philip Harker and Anna Kennett. A black feather for each of you.
Of course, the manuscript would never have become a book without the fine team at Angry Robot taking it on, guiding it to readiness, clothing it, displaying it and inviting the reading world to witness its birth. Thank you, Lee Harris, Marc Gascoigne, Darren Turpin and Roland Briscoe.
Most important of all, my family. Each of you have always done everything you can to help me write, never giving up on my efforts, even when the way forward seemed impossibly blocked. I know I’m hell to live with when things don’t go to plan, so my love and thanks to all of you for keeping the faith.
And to the limping crow who visited daily through the many months spent quietly in the office, you know best of all that I did not write this book alone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joseph D’Lacey is best known for his shocking eco-horror novel Meat. The book has been widely translated and prompted Stephen King to say “Joseph D’Lacey rocks!”
His other published works to date include Garbage Man, Snake Eyes and The Kill Crew. He was named the winner of the British Fantasy Award for Best Newcomer in 2009.
When not realising his fantasies on paper, he dabbles with yoga and continues a quest for the ultimate vegetarian burger recipe.
He lives in Northamptonshire with his wife and daughter.
josephdlacey.wordpress.com
twitter.com/josephdlacey
Table of Contents
BLACK FEATHERS
PROLOGUE
PART I - AMONG CROWS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
PART II - TO WALK A BLACK FEATHERED PATH
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
EPILOGUE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Black Feathers Page 38
