The Society of Experience

Chapter 1

THE GREATEST MOVE I ever made was throwing the first novel I wrote into a fireplace (a virtual one). I walked away from the one sure thing I had in hand in order to pursue the book before you, and I have never looked back. I have applied this lesson, with its ensuing waves of terror and exhilaration, to other areas of my life since.

There was a time when I had more certainty that writing was unquestionably an individualistic if not solitary art form. And while the hardest aspects are completed in isolation, I can tell you now that, at least for those who wish to succeed, such is perception only. In the background of everyone’s narrative, no matter how self-achieved you might feel, are a multitude of helpers; some of whom are willing partners, while many others assist by virtue of just being themselves. There are plenty of people whom I have learned from, leaned on and found inspiration through.

I would like to thank poet/novelist D. M. Thomas who, through the Humber School for Writers, instilled in me some good habits, and through that experience came a writing group of nine years (Nate Simpson, Meredyth Young, Philippa Dowding, Paul Dore and Siobhan Jamison among others).

For technical advice on the medical front, I would like to thank Dr. Vincent Woo and Dr. Roger Rose for pointers. Some of the first scraps of this manuscript were conceived in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland — for that I wish to thank James Baird and the Pouch Cove Foundation. I also wish to credit Reg Hartt and his Cineforum, whose lecture I borrow a title from. Everything I needed to know about the scientific and literary lineage of time travel was made possible through Paul J. Nahin’s Time Machines: Time Travel in Physics, Metaphysics, and Science Fiction.

I would like to thank my parents, Marianne Karkkainen and John Cahill, as well as my brother, Darrin Cahill. I would like to thank Stephanie Fysh for providing editorial feedback on the early manuscript, Janie Yoon for taking me seriously and Lesley Grant for presuming I was going somewhere. As well, a parade of stressed-out public school teachers. Dorian Grah for being an early conspirator and a true light in the darkness.

The first draft and subsequent revisions of this book were completed in various bars and cafés kind enough not to kick me onto the sidewalk for exploiting their real estate: Lot 16 (RIP), Squirly’s, Last Temptation, Voodoo Child, The Embassy, Tequila Bookworm and Lipstick & Dynamite. Truly fine establishments, all.

The g**g at Wolsak & Wynn have been outstanding. Publisher Noelle Allen, managing editor Ashley Hisson and publicity co-ordinator Emily Dockrill Jones all believed in this thing, and boy does that make a difference. Working with Paul Vermeersch, senior editor of Buckrider Books, has been a dream: someone who wants what I’ve written to be as good as it can be and not someone else’s book.

You wouldn’t be reading this were it not for the effort of literary agent extraordinaire Kelvin Kong, who, with the help of The Rights Factory and Sam Hiyate, stickhandled this newbie with patience and acumen. The Society would be so lucky to have someone like him.

Most deservedly, this list of thanks would not be complete without making ample space for my partner, Ingrid Paulson. In life, in work, your encouragement, belief and validation have been invaluable to my journey. You are incredible.

Matt Cahill, August 2015

City of Toronto