Friends and family who read shitty snippets and messy drafts, and/or offered advice, support, cocktails: David Shields, Peter Heller, Claire Dederer, Dani Shapiro, Brigid Schulte, Jennifer Senior, Tree Swenson, Jan and Laura Breuckner, Denise Kiernan, Joe D’Agnese, Elliot Reed, Lou King, Reid Adams, Blaise Schroeder, Don Ryan, Andrew Chapman, and Neal Bascomb.
Parents who shared their time, their memories, and allowed me to write about their complicated and amazing boys: Clark and Julie, Mario and Eve, Paul and Jen, Grimes and Brenda, Lou and Tina. Also Karen Colangelo, Marshall Stack Reid, and the crew from Inner Space.
Kickstarter supporters whose donations fueled the road trip that was the impetus for this book. (Here, many years later, is your thank-you prize.) A bonus shoutout to Lou and Reid for being part of the adventure. Also Adam Wiener.
Places to write and/or drink: Wellstone Center (thanks Steve), Whiteley Center (thanks Kathy), the Ace Hotel (NYC & L.A.), Wheelhouse Coffee (RIP), Assembly Hall, Uptown Espresso, Bauhaus Coffee, Picolinos, Java Bean, Walter’s Scoop, Kings Hardware, Seattle ferries, Amtrak.
For inspiration and moral support: my colleagues, fellow writers, and readers at Amazon, Goodreads, and Audible; and the many partners I’ve befriended in the vital literary nonprofit community via the Amazon Literary Partnership.
At Ecco and HarperCollins: I can’t say enough about the support, diligence, and care this book received from Dan Halpern, Miriam Parker, and, especially, my editor, Zack Wagman; big thanks to Martin Wilson, Sonya Cheuse, Andy LeCount, Ashley Mihlebach, Kristin Bowers, Meghan Deans, Ashley Garland, and others who helped bring this book to life, including Emma Janaskie, Allison Saltzman, Michelle Crowe, David Palmer, Shelly Perron, Victor Hendrickson, plus Megan Lynch and Michael Morrison.
To my agent and friend, Rob Weisbach, thanks for believing in this story every uncertain step of the way, and for always being there.
Huge, heartfelt, “hella” shoutouts to the young men who let me tell a piece of their story: Willem, Nate, Max, Nick, Nathan, Niall, and others.
Special thanks to my father, Phil, aka Jughead, and to my bold and crazy brother, Jeff.
And to Mary and my boys . . . I love you so.