The Mermaid's Mirror - L. K. Madigan [95]
But it was a beautiful sunny day, and I had the beach to myself——a rare pleasure.
As I walked across the wet sand, a sea lion stuck its head out of the water. We gazed at each other for a while; then I waved. It watched me for another long moment before sliding beneath the surface.
Wading in the cold surf, I watched a skittering of sandpipers race close to the foam, digging their bills into the sand as the waves retreated. I admired a clique of pelicans skimming close to the water, and a solitary grebe bobbing on the surface. Then I sat on a rock and listened to the ocean's music. As waves curled around the Cauldron and washed over the Boneyard, I pictured Lena's fateful ride on a November day just like this one.
When it was time to go, I climbed the path leading away from the shore ... pausing to pay my respects at the stone memorial to Mark Foo, a surfer who died at Maverick's.
My fictional town of Diamond Bay is based on the coastal towns south of San Francisco. Likewise, my fictional big surf spot, Magic's, is inspired by the real-life Maverick's. In writing The Mermaid's Mirror, I took many liberties with the geography, oceanography, and marine biology of northern California. I'm an enthusiast, not an expert. Any errors in local flora, fauna, climate, or tides are mine alone.
If you are interested in learning more about marine life, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has an amazing website: www.montereybayaquarium.org. I'm grateful to Jim Covel in particular for answering a question about the region's bioluminescent marine life.
I relied on my favorite wave-rider—my sister—and several other sources to describe the rush and danger of surfing. Again, any errors are mine alone.
The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting beaches, promoting open access to beaches for everyone, fighting ocean pollution, and educating the public about the environment. Learn more about them at the website www.surfrider.org. I have chosen to make a donation to this foundation in honor of the The Mermaid's Mirror, which is, after all, my love letter to the sea.
L. K. Madigan
November 13, 2009
Half Moon Bay, California
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Mom and Dad, thank you for reading and praising my childhood book about mermaids (eighty pages, complete with illustrations). And thank you for providing a home where creativity was applauded. Your early encouragement may well be the reason The Mermaid's Mirror exists today.
If this book manages to capture the heart and soul of surfing, it is due to the influence of my sister, Michelle. She shared her surfing experiences with me, and I did my best to convey her joy and awe. She lives far from the ocean now, but will always have the heart of a surfer. Love you, Peeps. I promise one day I'll finish the sequel.
Awesome editor Margaret Raymo shines a light on my work, illuminating places I forgot to explore. Thank you for believing in my story about the surfer girl and the mermaid. I am extravagantly glad that this book, which is so close to my heart, has finally made it out into the world. Oh, and thanks for letting me keep the zombie joke.
Deep appreciation to the entire Houghton Mifflin Harcourt team, especially Karen Walsh, Lisa DiSarro, Linda Magram, and Carol Chu.
Super-sharp agent Jennifer Laughran continues to astound with her wit, wisdom, and editorial insight. I am eternally grateful to have her as champion of my books.
I worked on this book sporadically over eight years, and many writers critiqued it in a variety of versions. If I tried to list them all, I would end up forgetting someone, so forgive me if I limit my thanks to the intrepid members of my current critique group: C. Lee McKenzie, Heather Strum, Melissa Higgins, Yvonne Ventresca, and Sara Bennett Wealer. They dare to read unwieldy first drafts and never run away screaming.
Special thanks to Lisa Schroeder, who reminded me of the differences between writing for middle-graders and writing for young