My One Square Inch of Alaska (9781101602850) (35 page)

Thank you to the Antioch Writers’ Workshop for my current role as director and for providing instruction and inspiration to so many writers, including me, over the years.

Thank you to two friends from another book club, the Socrates Café, for providing their comments and insight as lovers-of-books-of-all-kinds about this novel, Peggy Coale and Laurel Kerr.

Thank you to Dr. Gary Nicholson, who provided valuable insight into cancer treatment regimens of the 1950s.

Thank you to a host of wonderful writers and publishing professionals who I am deeply grateful to also know as friends: Ron Rollins, for writing a letter of recommendation for the Montgomery County Arts fellowship; Jeffrey Marks, Nancy Martin, Marcia Talley, Charlaine Harris, for providing excellent advice in querying agents; Carrie Bebris, Trudy Krisher, Judy Clemens, and Sarah Durand McGuigan for both providing advice and reading early chapters. I am especially indebted to Katrina Kittle, Kristina McBride, Becky Morean, Marti Moody, and Heather Webber not only for patting me on the head and wiping my
brow when I needed the emotional support of close writer friends, but also for reading not just one…but at least TWO versions of the full manuscript and providing invaluable insight. An extra thank you to Katrina for also writing a letter of recommendation for the Montgomery County Arts fellowship and to Marti for providing an introduction to the agency that, in the end, would win my heart.

About that agency…thank you to Elisabeth Weed and Stephanie Sun, who not only believed in this story but provided valuable guidance in making it deeper and better. Thank you for also working with Jenny Meyer Literary Agency to find a publishing home for this novel in Germany. Thank you to Denise Roy, who brilliantly edited my novel with the intellectual precision of a surgeon and the heart of one who loves and understands storytelling. I am so delighted and grateful to be working with this amazing, savvy, dedicated publishing team!

And finally, thank you to readers who have followed my work over the years and are now joining me on this new literary venture, and to all new readers, too! I’m humbled and honored that you’re coming along on Donna and Will’s adventure.