The Descent

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It  is  a  fairy  tale  that  writers  are  recluses  quietly  cohabiting  with  their  muse.  This writer,  anyway,  benefited from a world of other people's ideas  and  support.  Ironically, ascent  informed  important  moments  in The  Descent 's  genesis.  The  book  began  as  an idea  that  I  presented  to  a  climber,  my  friend  and  manager,  Bill  Gross,  who  spent  the next  fifteen months helping me refine the story.  His genius  and  encouragement  fueled every  page.  Early  on  he  shared  the  project  with  two  other  creative  spirits  in  the  film world,  Bruce   Berman   and  Kevin   McMahon  at   Village  Roadshow   Pictures.   Their support made  possible  my  're-entry'  into  New  York  publishing.  There  a  mountaineer and  writer  named  Jon  Waterman  introduced  me  to  the  talents  of  another  climber, literary  agent  Susan  Golomb.  She  labored  to  make  the  story  presentable,  cohesive, and true  to itself. With her sharp eye  and  memory  of  terrain,  she  would  make  a  great sniper.  I  thank  my  editors:  Karen  Rinaldi  for  her  literary  candor  and  electricity, Richard    Marek    for    his   dedicated    grasp    and   professionalism,    and    Panagiotis Gianopoulos, a rising luminary in the publishing world. I want  to  add  special  thanks  to my  nameless,  faceless  copy  editor.  This  is  my  seventh  book,  and  I  only  learned  now that, for professional reasons, copy editors are never  revealed  to  writers.  Like  monks, they  toil  in  anonymity.  I  specifically  requested  the  best  copy  editor  in  the  country, and whoever  he  or  she  is,  my  wish  was  granted.  My  deep  appreciation  to  Jim  Walsh, another of the hidden minds behind the book.

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