ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I’m blessed to know and work with a lot of wonderful people, all of whom deserve thanks.

First, thanks to my wonderful agent Sophie Hicks and everyone at Ed Victor: I couldn’t be more fortunate than to work with you. Without Philippa Harrison, I doubt the book would have been finished at all, and certainly it would have been much worse, so endless gratitude for riding in on a white horse at a critical juncture.

Everyone at Random House has been great, especially Dan Franklin, Betsy Mitchell, and Ellah Allfrey, whose superb suggestions went a long way towards improving the first draft. I’d also like to thank the sturdy proofreaders, Ellen Weider, and Maralee Youngs my fine designers and typesetters, whose skill and patience I can only admire.

The commenters on my blog have been a delight to me ever since I started it, and I much appreciate their thoughts and company. I’d particularly like to thank all those clever souls who gave generously of their time and effort to answer my call for nit-picks with an alarmingly well-informed array of suggestions and queries, which made the final polish much more useful than it otherwise would have been: Naomi Clark, James Donalbain Bremner, Jane Draycott, Jill Heather Flegg, Ursula L, Jos, Cowboy Diva, Robb, Joolya, Christopher Subich, hapax, Linda Coleman, Practicallyevil, Wesley Parish, Margaret Yang, Sunlizzard, Lauren, Ecks, Michael Mock, Sheila O’Shea, Alfgifu, and everyone who falls into the category of “Anonymous.”

At an important point, Tim and Joanna Harison recommended an essential book, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, which made a huge difference in getting over a pretty big crisis of confidence, so sincere thanks to them. Though I haven’t met her in person, I’d like to thank Julia Cameron as well: it was good advice, I took it, and I’d recommend it.

My excellent friends have been great, so thanks to everyone: you’re all fine people and a pleasure to know. I’d particularly like to thank Claire Bott, consultant on many things and stalwart ally; Peggy Vance, early reader and wellspring of confidence; and everyone else who encouraged me.

To my dear husband Gareth Thomas, for his suggestions, support, courage and faith, all my love.

And finally, I want to thank my family. When I wrote my first proper short story at eighteen, I showed it to my mother, knowing I could count on her for unqualified support. After that, I showed it to my father with some trepidation, knowing I could count on him to be frank. He read it, thought for a second, and said, “You could be a proper writer.” For these things, and for so many others: love and thanks. I couldn’t have done it without you.