And to give you and the rest of the crew visiting the Dickeyverse insight into the amazing women in Brick’s life, let’s just say we’re influenced by things we don’t consciously think about—sometimes by things we read in passing that stick with us. When I was in Argentina working on Resurrecting Midnight, I picked up a novel from a street vendor in Recoleta. Diario de una Prepago Adolescente by Ale. G. It was a random purchase. I couldn’t speak or read Spanish at the time. It was the first novel in Spanish I had bought, and I promised myself that I would learn the language in order to read it for pleasure. I had no idea what the novel was about; was just supporting a street vendor and a writer who was unknown to me. After I became more fluent in Spanish, I realized this was the amazing story of a girl who was down and out and reluctantly became an escort. Something about her journey and that lifestyle intrigued me, and it motivated me to try and see it from a different angle. I think that was the seed that led me to create Penny, Christiana, and Mocha Latte, and to define them not just by their occupation but as human beings facing life’s challenges.
Drumroll, please!
Hear ye! I want to give a shout-out to everybody who helped, and here is the Dickey Short List.
Stephanie Kelly, my amazing editor at Dutton, thanks for once again stepping in and doing what you do. You remain invaluable. Much love and respect from me to you. Emily Canders, the publicist of all publicists at Dutton, thanks for all the hard work! Sara Camilli, my agent extraordinaire, and everyone at the Sara Camilli Agency (Hey, Ray!), we’re getting closer and closer to book number one hundred! Hmmm . . . might be Gideon time. Hey, Gideon. Meet the other Reaper.
Kayode Disu, my London-based Nigerian brother by another mother, thanks for reading bits and giving me your feedback. Always appreciated, bro! Jason Frost, thanks for the photography tips! Sabra, my neighbor from way back when we lived in Carson, I listened, and I remembered.
Do the Mo’; do the Mo’; do the Mo’!
Special thanks to my friend and fan in Texas, Brianna Nicole Henry, and her amazing fan page @ClubEJD. You rock! Join the club e’r’body! Free admission, two book minimum, and free cyber-parking. LOL We be having fun chopping it up out there on Twitter.
In case I forgot anyone, which wasn’t intentional, here’s your chance to shine.
I wanna thank ______________________________________ for _____________________________ because without their help, I’d be __________________________ at a ________________________ with _________________ and wishing I was _________________________ in _______________________. You’re the best of the best!
ericjeromedickey.com
@ericjdickey
IG: ericjeromedickey
Holla!
EJD
Here since ’96.
19SEPT18
5:16 P.M.
Latitude: 33.9989018
Longitude: —118.3425759
ERIC JEROME DICKEY is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels as well as a six-issue miniseries of graphic novels featuring Storm (X-Men) and the Black Panther. He also penned the original story for the film Cappuccino, directed by Craig Ross Jr. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Dickey is a graduate of the University of Memphis, where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha, and also attended UCLA. Dickey now lives on the road and rests in whatever hotel will have him.
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The Business of Lovers Page 34
