Saturday, February 18, 2023

Dedicated to....

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: In all the years we’ve been together at Jungle Red–how many has that been?--there’s a topic we have all considered, and read, and thought about, and wondered about.

But I am pretty sure we’ve never talked about it here!


How wonderful that one of the most generous, talented and beloved people in  our mystery community brings up the subject today. I am so touched by this thought-provoking essay by the wonderful Art Taylor.

 

Dedication

by Art Taylor

 


The very last words I wrote for my new story collection—The Adventure of the Castle Thief and Other Expeditions and Indiscretions—were the dedication. My ultimate choice seemed so appropriate I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it sooner (hold tight to find out), but the process itself proved surprisingly complex.

 

I may not be alone in wrangling over dedications, at least in terms of my very limited test sample—of one: specifically my wife, Tara Laskowski. She’s finishing the manuscript for her third novel, and she asked just this week, “Who should I dedicate this one to?”

 

“Me,” I said—of course.

 

But then we talked further, and the questions became more layered.

 

Should a dedication automatically go to a loved one? Mother, father, spouse, child, sibling? And what’s the hierarchy there?

 

Should you use the dedication to shout-out someone who’s given particular support or assistance on this specific book? Or should anything like that be reserved for the Acknowledgments? 

 

Or how about another writer who was an influence or a mentor? A teacher who proved formative? A specific reader who’s a big fan of your work? A bookstore that’s enthusiastically supported your career?

 

I dedicated my first book, On the Road with Del & Louise, to Tara and to our son Dash—“at age three, already teaching me that every day can be an adventure—as long as it includes cars.”

 

The Boy Detective & The Summer of ’74 and Other Tales of Suspense was dedicated to “my parents, Gene and Jenny Taylor, a bushel and a peck.”

 

But The Adventure of Castle Thief….  

 

“Who should I dedicate this one to?” I asked Tara.

 

“Me,” she said. (Of course.)

 

The title story of The Castle Thief is set in an Irish castle—a study abroad trip for a group of American students. The students become fast friends, even with a couple of romantic relationships brewing, but when a Burberry scarf goes missing and then other treasured items start to disappear, the group’s closeness begins to fracture a bit. Is there a thief among them? Who among them would do such a thing? The professor leading the trip joins his star student in investigating those questions—playing Sherlock and Watson in a quest to save the whole trip from ruin.

 

When Tara and I honeymooned in Ireland, we stayed in Ashford Castle—a destination which lent some touches here. But the stronger inspiration for the story was a study abroad trip I led to Ireland several years later, a group of terrific students from George Mason University (where I teach) and another castle on that itinerary too: Markree Castle near Sligo. There were no thefts on that trip (goodness no!), and none of the students became models for any of the story’s characters (goodness no times two!), but the way a sense of community formed among them—the energy, the closeness, the wonder… the sense of all that does have, I hope, a very real presence in my fictional take on a study abroad group—what became a traditional, clue-driven ensemble mystery (and spoiler alert: a happy ending ahead).  

 

Another story, “Restoration,” is markedly different: noir to the core, with a hard lean toward speculative fiction. A young couple with children finds themselves in the market for a new insurance policy rooted in cutting-edge technologies: In the event of a fatal crime, the company will produce a clone of the victim—restoring a lost mother or father to the family in a short period of time. Despite the high premiums on the policy, the wife is willing, but the husband is weak—and their difference of opinion becomes trouble for everyone.

 

“Restoration” was inspired by a stray comment in one of the fiction workshops I teach at Mason. In discussing a draft by one of her peers, a student was trying to find the phrase “witness protection” but instead stumbled into “victim replacement.” It was a negligible little malaprop, a little laugh for the class, but quickly my own wheels started turning . . .

 

Beyond these specific incidents—an example of community coming together, a workshop comment that sparked ideas in fun directions—teaching college creative writing classes has proven inspiring and enriching in other ways. My students are remarkably ambitious and determined and thoughtful, and their story drafts bristle with ideas and energy and enthusiasm. Our workshops reveal them as talented readers as well—committed to their craft, encouraging one another toward their best work, offering smart perspectives, and spurring sharper revisions ahead. And they recognize the need to dig down into the work, dig deeper, work harder.

 

Many of the Jungle Reds have taught in one capacity or another, and so they might already be nodding their heads at all this, and I trust others, whether you’ve taught or not, will recognize as well the good fortune I’ve enjoyed here.

 

…all of which brings me back to the dedication to the new book.

 

It may have taken me a bit to get to the idea, but once I thought of it, I knew nothing else would work.

 

To my students

at George Mason University,

who keep me grounded and

also open the world in fresh ways


HANK: Isn't this funny and wise and perfect? Just like Art. What do you think about this, reds and readers? Authors, what do you think about dedications? Readers, do you read them? And try to decode them? (I do!)

 

 


Art Taylor is the author of two collections—The Adventure of the Castle Thief and Other Expeditions and Indiscretions and The Boy Detective & The Summer of ’74 and Other Tales of Suspense—and On the Road with Del & Louise: A Novel in Stories, winner of the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. His short fiction has won three additional Agatha Awards as well as the Edgar, Anthony, Derringer, and Macavity Awards. He is an associate professor of English at George Mason University. www.arttaylorwriter.com.

 

 

 


54 comments:

  1. Well, now I know I need to get your new book, Art. The stories you talked about sold me, but I also love the title and the cover. Thanks for talking about dedications and how you arrived at this particular one. And, Hank, I read a book from cover to cover, that means title page through the acknowledgements, notes, and author info.

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  2. I always read the dedications. Sometimes I wonder at the story behind them, and sometimes, they make me smile. Sometimes, they do both, but I always appreciate that window into the author's life.

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  3. I always read the dedication . . . usually I take them at "face value" and don't try to decode them, though . . . .
    Congratulations on your new book, Art; I'm sure your students are thrilled by your lovely dedication . . . .

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  4. Art, congrats on the release of your new book. I always read the dedication and the acknowledgment section. I do smile when I know the person who the book is dedicated to.

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  5. That's a perfect dedication, Art. I do think long and hard about dedications. Some are more obvious than others. I had turned in one for a particular book, and then our dear friend, author Sheila Connolly, died. I asked my editor if I could swap in a different dedication, and I could, just. I always tried (and try) to channel Sheila's adventurous spirit and work ethic (although four books a year is tough), and that book is dedicated to her.

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  6. Art, the cover is gorgeous, the stories enticing! Congratulations on your new book!
    I too, read a book cover to cover. The dedication always makes me think, "There's a story there!"

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  7. I love reading the dedications. As for writing them, sometimes they're easy, sometimes I have to think a while. Sadly, a number of my books have been dedicated to the memory of someone loved and lost. The other day, I came up with an idea of whom one of my upcoming books should be dedicated to and the thought made me smile--a good indicator that I've chosen well.

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  8. What a thoughtful essay, and a great dedication. I usually read them in other peoples books and some are - we hope- heartfelt to family or friends, but read pretty routine. And some are perfect. In my first book in a long time (Brooklyn Bones), I wanted to thank the unexpected friend that helped me get there. She had died, but the few years we knew each other did change my life. So I stole the words I needed from the best! EB White. Can anyone guess what they were?

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    1. Triss: I wonder if it's this one. "“It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.”

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    2. You bet. I couldn't write something more perfect than that.

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    3. Aw, love this. And Amanda, good call!

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    4. Triss, I miss your Erica Donato books.

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  9. Yes, I read both the dedications and acknowledgements in a book.
    As for this dedication, your GMU students are lucky to have you as a teacher, Art!

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  10. Welcome Art, and wonderful essay! I too spend a lot of time thinking about dedications. Luckily by now I've written enough books that many bases are covered (including the Jungle Red Writers.) For THE INGREDIENTS OF HAPPINESS (coming in July), I dedicated the book to an old friend, Dr. Howard Blue, who died of a heart attack way too young. He also has a bit part in the book and that made me smile!

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    1. AW, that's so touching. xooxoo Cannot wait for this book to come out!

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  11. Oh yes, I always read the dedication and the acknowledgements, and I definitely try to decode them.

    I enjoyed this essay, Art, thank you. I agree with Grace: Your students are fortunate to have you as teacher.

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    1. Yes, seems so strange that this might be the first time we've talked about it!

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  12. I do read the dedications in the books I read. But I don't try to decode them if they are vague, I just roll with it.

    And if I ever write that mythical book, my dedication will be to my parents because they were the ones who not only encouraged my reading habit, they made sure I always had a wealth of material to choose from.

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  13. Thanks for all the kind words, everyone—and the enthusiasm about the dedication I ended up with! Great to hear stories here about how people read books, about other dedications (some of these made me smile too!), and about interest in my new collection too, of course—go grateful on all counts!

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    1. You're amazing, Art! And this essay is lovely in every way.

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  14. OH, my, what a story. ANd what a lesson in human dynamics.

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  15. Good morning, Art,

    I read EVERYTHING, and I do try to decode it all. My belief is that the author worked hard to get the book into the hands of the readers, and every word deserves to be read.

    (Hank, I’m exhausted! I was up until the wee hours of the morning reading The House Guest. I considered not going to bed until I finished it, but decided I’m too old to be pulling all-nighters. Something tells me not much will get done in my house today!)

    DebRo

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    1. Hah, Deb, I'm in the middle of The House Guest, too, and there is work to be done here today. But who's going to do it? LOL

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    2. Once again, Blogger! The above comment is from Judy Singer.

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    3. Finished The Guest House - couldn't put it down. An excellent read, engaging characters and a plot that keeps you wanting to know what the heck is going on here!

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    4. Judy, that’s funny! I’m thinking of working on a chore for fifteen minutes, and then rewarding myself with fifteen minutes of reading, and continuing this pattern throughout the day!

      DebRo

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  16. Oh yes, I always read the dedications. Many years ago I was substitute teaching and reading a book a day on the days I wasn't called. I so clearly remember thinking 'I can write a better book than this' so I started writing. One of the first things I decided was I would dedicate it to the principal who only ever called me at the last minute because she knew, even at the last minute, I would go in. Sadly, my book never got published.

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  17. My favorite dedication story? When I had finished my first novel, I asked my mom if she would like me to dedicate it to her. After all, she had believed in my talent as a writer long before anyone else did, and it always said it would be the perfect occupation for me. And she from my earliest years encouraged an extravagant love of reading and books. But my mom... Let's say she believed in setting goals.

    She said, "No. I want you to dedicate your THIRD book to me."

    Reader, I did so, with the following:

    To Lois Fleming
    "You may have tangible wealth untold,
    Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
    Richer than I you can never be--
    I had a mother who read to me.

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    1. I think we can all agree you certainly had a very wise mother, Julia! Thank goodness for her!

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  18. Julia that is so touching and brilliant. I love it. The big payout to having read to our children is they go on to be parents who read to their children and the cycle continues. This immediately brings to mind a question I should ask them, "What was you favorite book(s) growing up that we read together?"

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  19. Maybe next JRW will ruminate on the growing trend to thank those who brought the book to print (Acknowledgements). I actually enjoy reading them, although some are a little heavy on the multitude of people who work for their editors and publishers. But you get to know a lot about the authors and their families and people in their lives.

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  20. Great post! Yes, I always read the dedications and try to figure out the whys and wherefores!

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  21. I always read the dedications and acknowledgments - feels like a way to reach out and touch the author behind the page. I dedicated my first solo standalone to my co-author for the 5 earlier books which were all about a neuropsychologist (titles like AMNESIA and DELUSION...) - I wrote TO DON DAVIDOFF TO WHOM I OWE THIS PARTICULAR KIND OF INSANITY. Or words to that effect. The rest I've dedicated to my loved ones (daughters, husband, sisters...) AND so much fun to read about everyone out there racing to the end of HOUSE GUEST. Heh heh heh heh...

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  22. Art, congratulations on your new novel! THE CASTLE THIEF sounds intriguing. Amazing how a stray comment led you to come up with quite a story.

    As a reader, I always read the Dedication and often I am curious about the people mentioned. Often it is a parent or a teacher or a relative. I remember Agatha Christie dedicating a novel to her brother in law who wanted more blood in the story. LOL. I remember an author dedicating a novel to a teacher. Great idea to dedicate your novel to your students in the novel with the Irish setting.

    We met at several mystery conventions and I remember your novels and short stories.

    Diana

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  23. Such a lovely, thoughtful post, Art. I can't believe we've never talked about this here! I ALWAYS read the dedication and acknowlegements. Looking forward to your story collection!

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  24. I always read the dedication and the acknowledgements, wondering about those people honored. Art, your post about dedications is lovely!

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  25. That is a lovely dedication, Art. I confess, at this point in my career, I find dedications to be a lot of work since I've thanked every person I've ever met (54 books - 54 dedications, I don't get out much). LOL.

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  26. You'll have to wait for my upcoming guest post on the beloved Jungle Red Writers to find out who I dedicated MURDER VISITS A FRENCH VILLAGE to, but I promise you, you'll like it! Dedicating a book is not just a way of highlighting the people who fill our lives with joy, inspiration, and energy, it's also a reminder that those individuals are real support for us authors. March 10.....

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  27. Clare: Wild Irish Rose was my first novel and Rhys and I decided to dedicate it to the whole family. During Covid we had a weekly Sunday Zoom meeting to keep closely in each others lives and that was on our minds as we wrote the dedication. The second part of the dedication was to the readers of the series. We heard from
    many people that reading the series was keeping them sane during lockdowns when they couldn’t see many people. It was lovely to feel that connection!

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  28. Catching up again on the comments, and so grateful to everyone for their enthusiasm about the post and the new book—and grateful too for the stories you're sharing as readers and writers. Thank you so much!

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