Elizabeth the First Wife
Page 26
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Is it easier to write a second novel? Sadly, no. You still have to write every word, and it’s just as difficult to stay out of the fridge as it was the first time around. But if you’re lucky, you have a team to get you through the good days and the rough ones. I’m one of the lucky ones, so thanks go to:
My publisher, Prospect Park Books, and its positive and patient brain trust: Colleen Dunn Bates, Patty O’Sullivan, Jennifer Bastien, Caroline Purvis, and the sales and distribution team at Consortium. This one’s for you. Thanks to book designer Kathy Kikkert for her lovely work.
My multimedia empire builders, if writing in your bedroom and recording a podcast in your closet can be called an empire, including my agents, Yfat Reiss Gendell at Foundry Literary in New York and Katie Cates at Kaplan/Stahler in Los Angeles; my webmaster and designer, Emily Tellez; my photographer, Dana Bouton; and my hairdresser/life coach, Trina Mor.
My sources for the book: the California Institute of Technology, the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. At Caltech, many thanks to my friend Leslie Maxfield, the director of Academic Media Technology, and to the impressive bunch at the Caltech Women’s Club, including Dr. Carol Carmichael, who provided inspiration, encouragement, and some good dirt. Also, my gratitude to Dr. Robert Spero of the Jet Propulsion Lab, who factchecked my physics and found it wanting. Thanks for those helpful hints, Robert—now get back to work on those Laser Interferometer Space Antennae! All hail to the tireless volunteers and designers of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, who raise money for children’s music programs, especially president Beverly Marksbury, who graciously showed me around the house. And thanks to the terrific press office at OSF for behind-the-scenes information, tickets, and tours.
My writing teacher, Erika Mailman at mediabistro.com, and my fellow classmates, who helped me to shape the book from page one, including Jenny Williams, Sharon Jessup Joyce, Nicola Ruiz, Ann Turnicky, and Julie Flakstad. Every writer needs a gut-check group.
My name donors, Mary Pat Brandmeyer and Bumble Ward. Now that I’ve stolen your names for posterity, we should become better friends. Thank you for loaning me your monikers.
My hometown and the many Pasadena locals who have embraced my work with grace and good humor, allowing me into their homes, book groups, and previously unattainable private clubs. Special thanks to Larry Wilson, Patt Diroll, and Charlie Plowman of Pasadena’s fourth estate.
My own Pasadena Posse of friends who have supported me through my writing and so much more in the last year, especially Ryan Newman, Susan Pai, Sally Mann, and Danielle Waldschmidt-Gay. Plus the many excellent friends from afar who’ve cheered me on, including Alyssa Isreal, Andrew Ferren, Chris Connor, and my fellow Sagehens.
My readers, listeners, and the online community of the Satellite Sisterhood and the Chaos Crew, who keep me motivated and connected. Thank you for supporting my work, posting funny pictures of your dogs, and listening to the show. Who says virtual friends aren’t real?
My brothers and sisters and my entire extended family. It was an extraordinary year in which we lost both our parents but never our sense of humor. Remember the family motto: Stay low and brace for impact.
Finally to my boys: my husband, Berick Treidler, and my sons, Brookes and Colin. You’re the best.
Lian Dolan
Pasadena
February, 2013
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lian Dolan is a writer and broadcaster. Her first novel, Helen of Pasadena, was on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list for more than a year and was nominated for Best Fiction by the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association. In addition, she’s written for TV, radio, and magazines, including regular columns in O, The Oprah Magazine, Working Mother, and Oprah.com. She is the co-creator and host of the Gracie Award–winning radio show Satellite Sisters, now a podcast and blog. Her musings about modern motherhood are found on the podcast and blog called The Chaos Chronicles, which was developed for TV by Nickelodeon.
Lian graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Classics. A Connecticut native, she now lives in Pasadena, California with her husband and two sons.