NO WRITER I KNOW of is able to function without a supportive community. With two young children at home, I would not be able to find time and energy to write without the loving support of my wife, Melissa. Years spent visiting and sometimes living at my in-laws’ farm has taught me time and time again the vital connection between land and families. For the stories and knowledge they have shared with me I am grateful, as I am grateful to my own parents for raising me with the freedom to take risks, for forgiving me when I fail, and for teaching me how to go on.
As a graduate of the creative writing MFA program at Mankato, I’ve been fortunate to have stayed in touch with many friends. Nick Healy, who read this story when it was just a kernel, is one such wise voice who guided me along the way. Nick also introduced me to the Wednesday Writers in Mankato: Nate Leboutillier, Nicole Helget, Tom Flynn, Aaron Frisch, Rick Robbins, and Gordon Pueschner all provided inspiration and help. Here at Normandale Community College, where I’m part of a thriving AFA program in creative writing, I’ve been able to work with other fiction writers like John Reimringer, Alicia Conroy, and Charlotte Sullivan and many others, gifted writers who understand the importance for teachers of writing to stay active in the craft. They’ve read various chapters, giving encouragement at just the right times.
I’m grateful to the state of Minnesota for an Artist’s Initiative Grant that allowed me travel to Southwest Minnesota and see the places featured in this novel as well as mentor with accomplished writers like Caroline Leavitt.
Along the way I’ve also made friends with good people like novelist Peter Geye, whose exciting feedback about the novel this summer gave me the courage I needed to send it out. Peter also introduced me to agent Laura Langlie, who has been wonderful every step of the way.
Editor Mark Doten at Soho Press believed in this book enough to take a chance on it. Read this work knowing that his keen insights and brilliant edits helped make this what it became. If it shines, it’s because Mark saw the raw material and helped polish it into the present form.
Invariably, this will go out into the world and I will realize that I have forgotten someone here. There are too many to list. I knew a long time ago that I wanted to be a writer. I was only able to become so because of the great teachers and books and friends and family and students who’ve inspired me.
I’m grateful. Thank you one and all.