"I humbly dedicate, with her approval, this book to Ms Harper Lee.
Her inspiration through her wonderful work of art, and kind letters,
gave my efforts meaning and promise."
- Jack Cowardin -

Harper Lee and I have exchanged letters and gifts over the last five years and I feel very fortunate and honored to be considered her friend. When writing about the difficulties first time writers have in getting published, she shared her own experience and details about her contract with Lippincott of Philadelphia that first published the famed "To Kill a Mockingbird" in 1960.

Her closing words to me in a letter received last December, 2008, hoped my novel saw "the light of print." She also said she would be honored to be my dedicatee.

The character Ata, Ora's grandmother, is modeled after Ms Lee's humble and noble, yet strong and vocal nature. Ms Lee is anything but vocal, as she shuns all publicity and appearance. Yet her work speaks volumes and will endure forever as part of the heritage of American literature.