This book has been many years in the writing—and rewriting—and I would like to thank the numerous people who helped bring it to life. I wrote the first version during my senior year in college, and I would like to thank my roommate, Karla Painter (who always wanted to see more of Adrian), and my friend Susan Taylor for participating in late-night brainstorming sessions and offering such discerning insights at the birth of these characters. I appreciate my parents, Richard and Janice Bonilla, for the inspiration they gave me. I am grateful to my Rice professors, particularly J. Dennis Huston, Terrence Doody, Sandy Havens, and Frank E. Vandiver, who believed in me and pushed me to grow as a writer.
I would like to thank early readers Tom Reveley, William Goyen, and George Williams for their comments and encouragement. As I grew as a writer and Simon Says grew as a book, I received invaluable critical help from the members of my critique group, Pamela F. Service, Marilyn D. Anderson, Elsa Marston, Pat McAlister, Keiko Kasza, and Marcia Kruchten. I would also like to thank later readers Charles A. Finn HI, James M. Janik, and Jean Gralley for their thoughtful feedback.
When I was striving to launch my writing career, I received generous encouragement and heartfelt advice from Stephen Sondheim, who urged me to believe in my vision for this book, but warned that I would have a hard time finding a publisher who was willing to gamble on a complex, demanding novel that kept the reader thinking as the work unfolded. Then he added that it was better for me to realize this so young than to break my heart at forty-five over the discovery—a prophetic comment, until Harcourt decided it was willing to take the gamble. I would especially like to thank my editor, Karen Grove, and managing editor, Lynn Harris, who have been committed to Simon Says from their first reading. I cannot imagine an editor who could have been more dedicated, asked better questions, or offered wiser guidance in shaping this book than Karen.
Finally, I would like to thank my husband, Arthur B. Alphin, who listened patiently to the story of this book on our first date—and went on to support me unfailingly as I pursued my dream of showing my own work to readers. Although this is my only published book written before I met him, his love and faith in me have become an integral part of its final version.