No apologies necessary!!! If something is your idea, you deserve the credit, not someone that comes along and takes advantage of it. I usually dedicate a chapter and or add a note at the end of a chapter announcing the doner <-(why does that look mispelled??):O.
I would like to share a tip if I may. I hear a lot of writers lament about the exposure they get. It's natural... we all want exposure and commendation... but with the world being the way it is... if a fiction writer doesn't write for the JOY of it... they will EVENTUALLY find they've been wasting their time. It will quickly show in the quality and eventually show in the reviews.
I don't wanna sound like a philosopher or a lecture, so I'll leave at that.
Also, I am gonna read your RIP Devon poetry. Sorry for the loss of your friend!!
Peace, BCG