The title of this collection, "Raised by the Fox," is a tribute to an author and publisher who had a significant impact on my efforts to get published. Janet Fox was a fine author in her own right, but I knew her through the mail as the publisher of Scavenger's Newsletter. "Scav" was published monthly from 1984-2003 and was in my view the premier newsletter of it's time about market news for small press publishers and writers.
I remember the time I had submitted some cover art for her. She liked it and wanted to use it, but had issue with one image - a bound, nude figure that could have arguably been male or female. Her response was very encouraging and we worked together to alter the piece to both of our satisfaction, her being very careful of the sensitivities of the artist, and me being very careful to make sure I would get my cover art published. I still have that note from her, which read, "Happy to accept your piece. If it helps the reason I decided your nude was female was the size of the, 'er' posterior, maybe that is a stereotype, but I think it's just a physical difference. I really hate to be 'politically correct' but sometimes the pressure is there. Anyway I like this new design, too. "
Scavenger's Newsletter publisher's listings and advice helped me publish my first story, "The Porch," which is in this collection, and helped me find many a publisher for my work.
Janet Fox died on October 21st, 2009. I only learned about her death earlier this year when I began considering this collection and thought to look her up. Janet Fox's fine newsletter and dedicated support of the small press community was responsible for getting many great stories into print that would otherwise never have reached appreciative readers. That is one legacy that I'm sure she was proud to be remembered for.