Identity

by Ingrid Thoft

  I have been embraced by the Putnam and Penguin Random House family and couldn’t be more pleased to be a member. Katie Grinch, Christopher Nelson, Lydia Hirt, Kate Stark, Alexis Welby, Mary Stone, and Meaghan Wagner have helped me navigate this new world with tremendous support and good cheer. Alan Walker, Howard Wall, and Dominique Jenkins helped smooth my way at key events, which I won’t soon forget. I’m tremendously grateful for Ivan Held’s support and continued vote of confidence.

  Mary Alice Kier and Anna Cottle have been Fina’s advocates in Los Angeles. Thank you for being such fierce protectors of my creative vision.

  I’m immensely lucky to have two amazing women as my stewards for this journey. Helen Brann is savvy and fearless, and I love having her in my corner. Christine Pepe makes me a better writer and does so with grace and humor. I have no doubt I hit the publishing jackpot with these two on my team.

  My family has made this an even more joyful experience. Thank you to Kirsten Thoft, Ted Nadeau, Zoë Nadeau, Ella Nadeau, Escher Nadeau, Lisa Thoft, Cole Nagel-Thoft, Arden Nagel-Thoft, Erika Thoft-Brown, Chris Thoft-Brown, Owen Thoft-Brown, Sophie Thoft-Brown, Riley Thoft-Brown, and Sharon Padia Stone. You guys are fantastic!

  Last, but never least, my mother, Judith Stone Thoft, and my husband, Doug Berrett, make all of this possible. Truly, since my mother gave birth to me, but that is the least of her contributions. Her love, humor, and endless enthusiasm sustain me each day. Doug Berrett is my go-to guy for everything. He is the best, and my heart still skips a beat when he walks in the room.