Acknowledgements

Most of this book was written and edited on the lands of the Gadigal and Bidjigal people of the Eora nation. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of these beautiful and ancient lands and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

My sincere thanks to:

Martin Hughes, for believing in this story and in my ability to tell it. I’m not sure what twist of fate or chance led me to pitch to you in three minutes flat, but I’m glad it did.

Laura Franks, for excellent, insightful and compassionate editing.

Kate O’Donnell, for impeccable copyediting and entertaining marginalia.

Alissa Dinallo, for the exquisite cover design.

The whole team at Affirm Press, for making the most untamed of my dreams come true.

Jane Novak, for agreeing to represent me in the middle of a wedding (and a plague). I’m so grateful to have you in my corner.

The Australian Society of Authors, for practical support for local writers and for the Literary Speed Dating events, which sound terrifying but in fact are hugely supportive and enjoyable.

Linda Funnell and Writing NSW, for equipping me with the tools I needed to edit the first drafts of this manuscript and a roadmap for later submissions.

My first writers’ group: Julie Janson, Geraldine Star and Nicole Sheridan. Thank you for investing in Grub, Elijah and Zed, and for making me a better writer.

Kate Goldsworthy, for edits on an early incarnation and sage publishing advice. I feel so fortunate to have worked with you (twice!) so early in my writing career.

Lori-Jay Ellis and Craig Cauchi at Queensland Writers’ Centre. Being long-listed for Publishable felt like winning the lottery. Thank you for your ongoing and significant support of new and emerging writers in this country.

Ben Falkenmire, for engaging and thoughtful feedback.

Amy Sambrooke and Varuna House. Being shortlisted for the Publisher Introduction Program came at a time when I stood at a crossroads with this novel; your feedback helped me to go on.

Al Campbell – mother, carer, author, and friend. You stood in the forest with me as I held this story. Thank you for helping me to find a way through. You inspire me to be a better writer, and person.

Michael Ondaatje for ‘White Dwarfs’; Margaret Atwood for Surfacing; Jeanette Winterson for Written on the Body – for the inspiration.

D. – gone too soon. Thanks for generously sharing your knowledge and for the camaraderie during challenging years.

Sophie McNamara, for a near-lifetime of friendship.

Imogen Halstead, your intelligence and creativity change the way I see the world, for the better.

My family with love:

Margaret Sasson who instilled in me an appreciation of language and of storytelling. David Sasson, who always told me to follow my heart. Chloe Sasson, for sharing her books with me from the very beginning. My nanna Claire Sasson, who in every memory I have is being kind to me. Tim Colman, Viviane Colman, Dylan Colman. Phil Andersen, Anne Andersen, Melinda Andersen, Pete King, Hunter Andersen-King, Riley Andersen-King. Ben and Annika – every day you fill my heart with so much joy that it feels like it’s going to explode. Chris Andersen, whose unwavering belief that I could write this novel made all the difference; life with you is a sweet adventure.