ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you people.

S. Maclntee, Terry and Brooke W, Kerry B, Barry L, Gelblums, Grace, Ian, Lisa M, D Wingo, Karey W, Ben B, Pat DG, Patrick C, J Scruggs, Katherine M, Eli, Kimi F, Christine V, Katie R, Jocelyn H, Wes P, Eric and Cindy B, C Lightsey, Wendi L, McLeods (M, C, M, J, A), M Baroody, M St. Louis, K Martin, Sara V, J McQueen, Danielle B, Erin T, Jordan L, G Singleton, Sebastian M, Scott G, Scott H, Chloe S, Munchos JC, J Marks, Joy, Megg Sully, Janelle, Kat R, Haven, Marianna S, J Ellerby, Mike W, Mark C, Phil F, Philip G, M Sanders, Gary H, J Skipper, C Howard, Hilarie B, Jeremy G, Isaac, Lauren F, Sampson, Lauren C, Jenn and JB Crane, Joanie B, Pip, Cormac, Jeff R, Rebecca A, Lee K, Amy B, Jill C, Robin H, Robyn M, Gabe H, Gabe and Mary in Maine, Susan O, Kathy P, Denis J, J Arthur, M Northridge, Julie O, Jacob, Nick M, Sabrina M, Eileen J, Maria, J Apatow, A Wise, L Misco, Clyde E, D Gessner, Nina DG, Stuart D, Nick F, Don A, Mark D, J McNally, D Bering, D Nikitas, B DeVido, A Oliver, Noah V, Benji B, Mark L, Rob B, Gary, Will, Thisbe, Kent F, J Keaney, Don R, Becky B.

Thank you schools.

Germantown Academy, Franklin & Marshall College, Western Michigan University, Northwest Missouri State, University of Iowa, Ball State University, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Coastal Carolina University, Francis Marion University, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Warren Wilson College, Sewanee, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of Alabama.

Thank you all good North Carolina Festival of the Book people.

Thank you to the many kind people I’ve met at bookstores, in classes, at readings, at panels and everywhere else; there are so very many of you, and your kind hearts have kept me going. My debt to you is great.

My cousins, Liz, Julie, Patrick, Eric, Carliss, Clint, Zelle, Wilson.

My aunts and uncles, Laurie, Mark and Pat, Dow and Deborah, Greg M.

My grandparents Benjamin S. and Julia Land.

Thank you parents.

Kenneth Land (who first showed me words and how one loves them and makes them).

Nancy Land (who first showed me what stong means, and what gentle means, and what care, unblinking, means).

Special thank you to the MacDowell Colony and all the good people and animals there, Michelle A, Deb, David, Blake, Mr. T, Monadnock, old Black Bear.

Special thanks to the good people at Random House, Steve Messina, Vicky Wong, Daniel Menaker, Jennifer Jones.

Thank you John Michael Johnson.

Thank you Killer Films.

Thank you David Monahan.

Thank you Sarah Messer.

Thank you David Green.

Thank you Rebecca Lee.

Thank you Wendy Brenner.

Thank you Dal Connor.

Thank you Joshua Locey

Thank you Emile Hirsch.

Thank you John Pritchett.

Thank you Cecelia Webber.

Thank you Heather McEntire.

Thank you Selah Saterstrom.

Thank you Stephani Tewes.

Thank you John Gray

Thank you Justin Lee.

Thank you Jynne Martin.

Thank you Kristen Foster.

I could not have made this book without the help of the following individuals.

Bill Clegg believed first and always.

Amy Williams is my sister and hero and champion and most adored.

Lee Boudreaux got everything, understood all of me, when first we spoke.

A most special thank you to Laura Ford, who granted me her steady patience and faith, and her brilliant work, and her brilliant mind; without these, I couldn’t have seen this one through.

John Jeremiah Sullivan is a shaman and showed me many things I could not see but soon did.

Brett Land taught me to love the world, again, feverishly, and showed me, again, what it is a writer does.

Matthew Land taught me to work, ferociously, and without pause.

My brothers, I love you always, you are my best friends, the kindest people I know; most thanks of all be to you.