Ever since I could hold a Dixon Ticonderoga No. 2 pencil, it’s been my dream to write a book. And when that dream becomes a reality? There are no words. Okay, that’s not true. There are words. Thankful words. I’d like to share them here.
Gratitude beyond measure to Kathleen Rushall, who championed Kat from the beginning and sealed the deal, and to my amazing agent, Patricia Nelson, whose unflagging support carried me to the finish line.
To my fabulous editor, Julie Bliven, whose immense talent and keen editorial eye is evident on every page. Not only did you make Kat shine like the top of the Chrysler Building (), you are one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met. My novel sparkles because of you, Julie. Thank you.
To the dedicated team at Charlesbridge, including eagle-eyed copyeditor Hannah Mahoney, who taught me that aka has no periods and jelly bean is two words (who knew?), and to publicity maven Donna Spurlock for her tireless promotion of Kat. To Nathan Durfee for his dazzling cover and chapter illustrations, and to art director Susan Sherman for commissioning him.
To Sara Lewis Murre, life coach extraordinaire, who helped me to achieve my dream of becoming a novelist. There would have been no Kat if it weren’t for you, Sara. My gratitude to you is infinite.
To Nancy Butts, who entered my life as an editor and stayed as a friend. Nancy, you are my Spinal Sister forever. Bone-crushing hugs to you!
To Lara Williamson, whose unstinting across-the-pond support kept me going, draft after draft after draft. You lifted me up and cheered me on with your wisdom, warmth, and wit. I am lucky to call you my Peaboddy Pal.
To Dr. Alexandra Barzvi and Dr. Silvia W. Olarte, who aided my research by providing clinical insight into OCD, and to memoirist Traci Foust, who shared her personal struggle with the disorder in a flurry of back-and-forth emails.
To my writing buddy, Rose Cirigliano, whose friendship, wine, and Nino’s pizza nurtured and sustained me.
To David Wong, who read multiple drafts of the manuscript and provided invaluable insight. If bigwigging doesn’t work out for you, David, you know who to call.
To my early Kat readers: Irene Hwang, Marni Mann, Meredith Summa, and Amy Nagler. Your comments helped make the novel stronger. Mwah!
To Denise and John Biondo, who built my beautiful website and advised me on all things techie. Thanks for all your hard work, guys!
The path to publication is bumpier than a cab hurtling down Fifth Avenue, but my writer friends have made the ride smoother. Thanks to Camille Di Maio, Eileen Palma, Steven Tate, Janice Nimura, and Stacy Schiff.
To my agent sisters—aka #TheRevisionists—who are the most enthusiastic cheerleaders I know. All together now: “How great is Patricia Nelson?!?”
A special shout out to the Giles Twins, Amy and Jeff, and to Stephanie Elliot, whose daily talk-me-down-from-the-ledge missives never failed to make me smile. To the #2017Debuts, for signal boosts, fist-bumps, and writerly camaraderie. Gratitude beyond measure to Jonathan Rosen, Sally J. Pla, Katy White, Peternelle van Arnsdale, Kristin L. Gray, Christina June, and Jilly Gagnon.
To the Nerdy Book Club for hosting my cover reveal.
Kat Greene Comes Clean is not autobiographical, but I wouldn’t be coming clean if I neglected to mention that Kat’s fictional school, the Village Humanity School, was inspired by my own alma mater, the venerable City and Country School, in New York’s Greenwich Village. City and Country is responsible for teaching me to think outside the box.
To my C&C classmates: there are no friends like old friends. Daniel Alperin, Clifton English Kew, Noah Evans, Will Smith, Paul Canosa, Nicole Batchelor Regne, Scott Fierman, Michael Oppizzi…I’m talking to YOU.
And to the real-life Halle, China Jorrin, whose friendship left an indelible imprint on my life. You will always be the Iggy to my Mouse. (Or is it the Mouse to my Iggy?)
To the outstanding educators at the Brearley School, with special thanks to librarians Amy Chow and Patricia Aakre for helping me to navigate the independent-school library scene, and to the Dwight School, for welcoming me with open arms.
To the memory of the late great Louise Fitzhugh, author of my beloved Harriet the Spy, which defined my childhood and inspired me to become a writer. Louise, you and I would have been great friends.
And speaking of friends, I’ve been blessed with the best. I would like to acknowledge some of my oldest and dearest here: Kerry Zaimes, Robert Lischinsky and Tony Frye, Costa and Simone Peridakis, Jonathan Wachtel, Sonia Stephens, Gbenro Adegbola, Lauren Sobel Prario, Emily Baller, Papüs Sissoko, Rebecca Meyer, Mike Nealy, Maura Parker Quinlan, Adrian Wilck, Diane Seo, Jennifer Schecter, Pam Selin, Margie Sung, Amy Muntner, Anita Naik, Daniel Lewis, Mitch Yesagare, Julie Mardin, Millie Eng-Martinez, and the Tropp-Levy family. Thank you for putting up with me over the years. It couldn’t have been easy.
To my in-laws, Heinz and Inge Roske, and to my sister-in-law, Harriet Roske, whose familial loyalty and fierce support are appreciated enormously. Ditto to the Schultz, Karstadt, and Rosoff families. Thank you, guys!
To my parents, Les and Sheila Karstadt, who read my first novel, Beyond the Lily Pond—written at C&C when I was ten—and encouraged me to keep going. Thank you for indulging my wild imagination. That couldn’t have been easy either.
To my exceptional daughter, Chloe Roske, whose close reading and astute editorial comments shaped the manuscript in more ways than I can verbalize. Bumby, you are my sun, my moon, my stars…my heart. I am lucky to be your mother.
To my wonderful husband, Henry Roske, who has been by my side for almost three decades and who continues to amaze me with his kindness, intelligence, and unconditional support. Henry, I couldn’t have done this without you. Quack quack.
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