Publishing a women’s fiction novel has long been a dream of mine. Taking my publishing career in a new direction required much more than an idea that percolated in my brain for years. It took a team of people who shared my vision. I want to thank those who have helped bring Lake in the Clouds to life.
First is Amy Pierpont, editor-in-chief of Forever/Forever Yours, Grand Central Publishing. Amy, it’s been a joy to work with you again. Thank you so much for your insight and support. Thanks also to Junessa Viloria for her editorial input. Junessa, same sentiment applies. So glad to be working with you again, too!
Also, my thanks to the rest of the Grand Central team, Sam Brody, Associate Art Director Daniela Medina, and Publicity and Marketing Director Estelle Hallick. It’s been a pleasure to put my dream in your hands.
Special thanks to Christina Hogrebe and Meg Ruley with the Jane Rotrosen Agency for hearing my wishes on this new direction, helping me hone the idea, and finding it a home.
To Mary Dickerson, first reader, plot rescuer, and friend extraordinaire. I’d be lost without you.
Finally, I must thank my family and make a few public declarations. The Getaway is not one of those stories where the names have been changed to protect the innocent. I am not Genevieve. Don’t let my multiple sets of china convince you otherwise. Auntie M is not Helen. She never sneaked out of the house at night. I know this for a fact because we shared a room until she left for college, at which point I promptly redecorated. In hindsight, it was wrong of me to get rid of her bed—mainly because I’ve had to hear about it for decades! The fact that COVID prevented our sisters’ trip to Salzburg is only coincidence.
And to my children. You’ve grown up with a mother who writes fiction, so you know to remember that I tell lies for a living. While some events in this book might strike you as somewhat familiar, unfortunately, you are not inheriting a ranch in the Texas Hill Country. However, any time you want to come waterski, remember that “the good water was an hour ago.”
You know I love you more than anything.
Finally, as always, to the readers, whose support allows me to have the best job in the world except at deadline time. I hope you enjoyed The Getaway, my labor of love about family. Only, not my family. Really. I’m not Genevieve, and I’m not running away to Colorado.
I have another book to write about the Prentice family.