The House That Lou Built

by Mae Respicio

  I’ve had the best debut experience, thanks to the team at Wendy Lamb Books and Penguin Random House.

  I’m grateful to work with my editor, Wendy Lamb, who helped me to dig deep and find the voice and heart of this book. I still can’t believe how fortunate I’ve been to write my first novel with you; I’ve learned so much, due to your thoughtfulness, patience, and expertise. Thank you for championing Lou’s story.

  A huge thank-you to Dana Carey, assistant editor, for your keen insight, enthusiasm, and care throughout this process.

  To Sarah Davies, my amazing agent, thank you for being excited about this book from the start and for guiding me on the road to publication. Setting roots within Greenhouse Literary has been a dream come true.

  A massive thanks to the following writer/editor friends, teachers, librarians, and historians for their helpful notes during various drafts: Cathy De Leon, Joanna Fabicon, Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, Alexia Paul, and Rachel Sarah. I also had two smart young readers who offered their thoughtful reactions: Koa De Leon and Eloise O’Day.

  Much appreciation to Sandra Kacharos from the County of Marin and Cassie O’Mara of the Tumbleweed Tiny House Co. for answering my many research questions.

  A special thanks to Hedgebrook for providing me with a magical residency and the time, space, and nourishment to focus on revisions.

  I’ll always be grateful to the late Les Plesko and his workshops. A PEN Center USA Emerging Voices Fellowship set me off on the right path long ago and introduced me to my fellow “Pennies,” who’ve given me loads of friendship, support, page-swaps, and writing dates through the years: Candice L. Davis, Natali Petricic Escobedo, Taylur Ngo, Melissa Roxas, and Eduardo Santiago.

  I’m lucky for my wonderful parents, Restie and Tina, and for the Koerner, Medrano, and Respicio families (shout-out to all my awesome cousins!).

  To my three most important people—Mark, Alden, and Cael—you inspire me every day…I love you! Thank you, Mark, for our stable, loving home, and the support to pursue my writing goals amid our ever-evolving family life.

  And finally, a special thanks to you, the reader—I hope you enjoyed Lou’s journey.

  What kind of house are you?

  About the Author

  Mae Respicio grew up in Northern California and has great memories of spending childhood summers dancing in a Filipino folk-dance troupe. Mae is a past recipient of a PEN Center USA Emerging Voices Fellowship. She’s been a writer-in-residence at Hedgebrook and Atlantic Center for the Arts and has published a variety of musings on parenthood. She lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area, not far from the ocean and the redwoods. This is her first novel. Visit her at maerespicio.com.

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