AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For fiction …
“For me, writing a first novel was a harrowing experience. Special thanks to Bruce Bortz, the most perspicacious editor and publisher around.” — Bill O’Reilly, Those Who Trespass: A Novel of Murder and Television

“Thanks to Bruce Bortz for taking a first-time author and making him a published author, and for raising his own concerns and listening to mine.” —Jeffrey Cohen, For Whom the Minivan Rolls: An Aaron Tucker Mystery

“Thanks, again, to Bruce Bortz, who perseveres when all signs indicate he shouldn’t, and I’m glad.” —Jeffrey Cohen, Author, A Farewell to Legs: An Aaron Tucker Mystery

“I need to lavish praise on Bruce Bortz, and his firm, Bancroft Press, not just for his input in the novel itself, but for his penchant for dreaming big dreams. His work ethic, determination, and doggedness would have made him a Wall Street titan, had he chosen that route instead of the more difficult pathway of publishing.” —Ken Morris, Man in the Middle 

“To my publisher, Bruce Bortz, and Elly Zupko, his enthusiastic and intelligent assistant: I truly appreciate your support, invaluable input, and patience. I realize I wasn’t the easiest person to live with.”—Ken Morris, The Deadly Trade

“Thanks to Bruce Bortz, who patiently endured a prolonged dance with a particularly skittish author, but with whom I embark on this adventure with nothing but high hopes. And thanks to Elly Zupko, who pulled my manuscript from the slush pile and started me on my way.”
—Tom Matthews, LikeWe Care

“I can't thank you enough for all the attention you've given Home Inspection, and for the value of your insights. Wow! Clearly, you have a gift for this. Others just put their critique in terms of gut feeling, and can't (or don't want to take the time to) articulate in a useable way what is wrong with a manuscript and what would make it better.”
—Dr. Dinah Miller, Home Inspection

 “More than anything else, aspiring first-timer novelists need an opportunity to show the public their wares. For giving me the break that so many deserving writers never get, I am eternally grateful to Bruce Bortz, my publisher, editor, and friend. I also thank him for his wisdom and perceptive eye. Both have greatly benefited this work.”
—Arch Montgomery , Hank: The First Novel of the Gunpowder Trilogy

“Thanks to Bruce Bortz and Elly Zupko for editing and publishing Jake. The opportunity is rare, but you have provided it.”—Arch Montgomery, Jake: The Second Novel of the Gunpowder Trilogy

“I want to thank Bruce Bortz for finding the light and following his instincts. He has created a special publishing house, one that truly illuminates and enlightens. I am privileged to be a part of Bancroft Press’ burgeoning reputation.”
—Jonathan Scott Fuqua, The Reappearance of Sam Webber

“Small publishers offer the unpublished writer a chance to step into the light. Bruce Bortz loves bringing books to life. Without him, Lonesome Song would be another mass of bits encoded on a hard drive. I’m not sure how you thank someone for making a dream come true.”
—Elliott Light, Lonesome Song: A Shep Harrington Smalltown Mystery

And non-fiction …

“I especially wish Bruce Bortz for, among other things, a new definition of the publishing marketplace.”
—C. Fraser Smith, Lenny, Lefty, and the Chancellor: The Len Bias Tragedy and the Search for Reform in Big-time College Basketball

“Thanks to Bruce Bortz, who first envisioned this book, awoke in a cold sweat, and still decided to go through with the project. This is a brave man—not to mention the best publisher a guy could ask for.”—Kevin Cowherd, Last Call at the 7-Eleven: Fine Dining at 2 A.M. , The Search for Spandex People, and Other Reasons to Go On Living

“I thank publisher Bruce Bortz. Bruce thought this was a fine idea, and came up with the money and the production expertise to make it happen.”—Stephen Hunter, Violent Screen: A Critic’s 13 Years on the Front Lines of Movie Mayhem

“There’s no thank-you big enough for Bruce Bortz. He read eight years’ worth of columns in one week and guided me, humorously, intelligently, and respectfully, through the arduous and baffling process of shaping a book out of them. For the book, he also asked me to write a bunch of additional columns on work because, he said, I hadn’t really focused on the subject in any of my previously published columns.” —Sandi Kahn Shelton , You Might As Well Laugh: Surviving the Joys of Parenthood

“He kept telling me I had something valuable to say. I now believe he was right.”
—Julius Westheimer, Generation of Wealth: Time-Tested Rules for Worry-Free Investing

“I am deeply grateful to Bruce Bortz. He recognized the need to re-examine the links between loneliness and premature death, and was willing to assume the risks, as well as expend the time and energy, involved in bringing this book to fruition. His support and patience, as well as his wisdom and enthusiasm, are deeply appreciated.”
—James J. Lynch, A Cry Unheard: New Insights into the Medical Consequences of Loneliness

“To Bruce Bortz, thanks for taking the chance, while allowing me to retain my voice throughout.”
—Gus Russo, Live by the Sword: The Secret War Against Castro and the Death of JFK

“Thanks to Bruce Bortz, who saw in these essays, gathered together, something like the book I saw in them.” —Robert Kanigel, Vintage Reading : A Personal Tour of Some of the World’s Best Books

“ Bruce Bortz gets special thanks for his hard work, diligence, and perseverance on the many and complicated editorial aspects of this project. When someone shows an unwavering desire to publish the very best book possible, who could ask for more?”
—Mary Gabriel, TheArt of Acquiring: A Portrait of Etta & Claribel Cone

“I am especially grateful to Bruce Bortz, whose unique publisher’s perspective was accompanied by much encouragement and numerous thoughtful suggestions on the text.”
—Kenneth Lasson, Author, Trembling in the Ivory Tower: Excesses in the Pursuit of Truth and Tenure

“Thanks to Bruce Bortz, who not only conceived the idea of this book, but took a gamble on me.” —Jon Morgan, Glory for Sale : Fans, Dollars, and the New NFL

“Few editors have won my all-around praise, but I have only accolades for Bruce Bortz.”
—Jonetta Rose Barras, Last of the Black Emperors: The Hollow Comeback of Marion Barry in the New Age of Black Leaders

“Thanks to Bruce Bortz for his counsel and support.”
—Alice Steinbach, The Miss Dennis School of Writing and Other Lessons from a Woman’s Life

“I acknowledge with thanks Bruce Bortz, who appreciated this story, guided me through its development, and saw it to fruition.” —Susan Laubach, The Whole Kitt & Caboodle: A Novel Leading Towards Investment Enlightenment

“Many, many thanks to Bruce Bortz for forcing me to focus, and for challenging me to dig deep inside myself to reveal more of my feelings than I thought I could.”
—Herman Cain, CEO of Self: You’re in Charge  

“I want to thank Bruce Bortz, who motivated me to finish this book.” —Stephen Schmitz, Gradebusters: How Parents Can Turn Underachievers Around

“You put it in words far better than I ever could.”
—Nathan Chapman, Co-Author (with Bruce Bortz), The Chapman Way to Enrich America : Investing in Our Domestic Emerging Markets