Both quantum physics and astrophysics are racing to figure out dark matter and dark energy because without understanding them we don’t really understand the universe. We don’t really understand anything.
If you want to know more about this research, you should read Einstein’s Telescope: The Hunt for Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe by Evalyn Gates and The 4 Percent Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality by Richard Panek.
And you should take physics classes, because beyond Newton and falling apples lie ideas that are wilder and more amazing than most of the novels on my shelves.
The most fascinating problems have yet to be solved. The coolest imaginable questions are still out there, waiting to be answered. I encourage you to be the one who answers them. There is as much room for dreamers and poets in science as there is in the arts. There is room for you.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There are so many people to thank for this book. There always are, but this time even more than ususal. Of course, first and foremost, this book wouldn’t be in your hands without the belief and support (not to mention the genius ideas) of my editor, Annette Pollert. Behind Annette stands the entire crew at Simon Pulse, which is unrivaled. I’m so grateful to be part of their team.
Caryn Wiseman, my agent, has as always worked tirelessly on my behalf. Without her I’d be wandering the streets somewhere with a half-finished manuscript clutched in my hand. I can’t thank her enough for being in my corner.
The Gathering Dark has been through many drafts and, as you might have noticed, it’s a long book. These two things make it necessary to thank the other writers who helped me with even more gusto than usual. My writing family—Lisa Amowitz, Heidi Ayarbe, Pippa Bayliss, Linda Budzinski, Dhonielle Clayton, Trish Eklund, Lindsey Eland, Cathy Giordano, Cyndy Henzel, and Kate Milford—have read drafts, held my hand, Skyped, called, laughed, cried . . . you name it. I love you ladies!
Saundra Mitchell not only read (and shredded) multiple drafts of this book, she put up with infinite texts, phone calls, e-mails, random-showings-up-at-her-house . . . well, you get the idea. I’m lucky to count such an amazing friend among my authors, and such an amazing author among my friends.
Sonia Gensler and Kay Cassidy also gave me invaluable feedback on drafts. I owe them cupcakes. Lots and lots of cupcakes . . .
Musical suggestions and corrections came from Theodore Harvey and my husband, Erik. Thanks for pointing me toward the right pieces and filling in the theory gaps, guys!
The thing about The Gathering Dark is that it’s science fiction. Science fiction. As in, I couldn’t just make up whatever the heck I felt like and call it good. To that end, I need to thank the scientists who helped me. Any mistakes in this book are the result of my stubbornness or error. These guys did their best to steer me straight. Dr. Jerry Curran and Dr. Steve Spicklemeier pointed me toward research materials without looking at me like I was in over my head, which I appreciate.
Without Dr. Matthew Muterspaugh, though, this book would be a wreck. Not only did he point me to source materials, he also answered a blue ton of questions, read drafts, offered explanations, and even suggested solutions when I’d fiction-ed myself right into a physics box. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I’m also grateful to Eileen Abbott, for her generosity to the local United Methodist Preschool. And without Ashlee Miller, my children would have run wild while I wrote this novel. My mom and dad also provided as much love and support as a girl could ask for—without them, I’d be lost.
And of course, last but never least, my husband, Erik. Thank you for putting up with my odd obsessions and all the physics books. And for not laughing when you catch me staring off into space, making things up. But mostly thanks for loving me. I love you, too, you know.