Making the leap from writing narrative nonfiction to writing fiction has been equal parts terrifying and thrilling, and I’m eternally grateful to so many people for cheering me on, offering invaluable feedback and encouragement, and generally ordering me to just sit in my chair and finish the damn thing.
Thank you to my brilliant and lovely editor, Sarah Crichton, for taking a chance on me and helping me to realize the best version of this story. She is a legend in this business for good reason. Her passion buoyed me throughout the process, and I’m so fortunate to have her in my corner. Thanks, also, to her intrepid assistant, Natalia Ruiz, who has a superhero talent for getting stuff done.
Thanks to the entire team at Henry Holt: Amy Einhorn, Marian Brown, Laura Flavin, Alyssa Weinberg, Gabriel Guma, Emily Mahar, Hannah Campbell, Vincent Stanley, and all the dedicated salespeople who advocated for and cheered on this book. You’ve made a harrowing and stressful process exponentially less harrowing and stressful.
Thank you to my agent, Simon Lipskar, for all the things over all the years. I can always count on you for honesty, unflagging support, a raucous evening of poker, and God’s Ass Popcorn. I appreciate you more than I can say.
Thank you to my film agents, Sylvie Rabineau and Jill Gillett, for loving this book so much it makes me blush. I so appreciate all of your work on my behalf.
A very sincere thanks and exuberant “Yo” to two fellow Philadelphians, Liz Spikol and Patti Brett, who regaled me with tales of growing up in Center City in the 1970s. If you ever find yourself in Philly, check out Patti’s bar, Doobies, which stands proud at 22nd and Lombard and is one of the city’s most beloved dives. Thanks, also, to my trusted No-town scallywags: Mary Agnew Turley, Jason Buck, Laura DeSpain, and Melisa Monastero-Steinberg, with honorable mention to Billy “Yo Cuz” Abate, my two Sabs, Chinch, Booch, Guy, and other names I borrowed from real life.
Thank you to my luminous writerly accomplices who read various versions of this book and nudged me along: “The Lady” Joshilyn Jackson, Sara “Donkey Smoocher” Gruen, Emma Garman, Ada Calhoun, Susannah Cahalan, Gilbert King, Dan Conaway, Maud Newton, Denise Kiernan, Joseph D’Agnese, Anna Schachner, Lydia Netzer, Margaret Talbot, Liza Mundy, Kim Michele Richardson, Ginger Eager, David Bumke, and Alison Law. And thanks to a few more who listened to me vent and bought me cocktails: Erik Larson, Renée Rosen, Melanie Benjamin, Maureen Callahan, Lindsey Fitzharris, Adrian Teal, Diane Bierman, and Tom Hess.
Thank you to my voluble little dinosaur, Dexter, whose only contribution to this book was to literally crap on its pages. He is the best parrot in the world, regardless.
Thank you to Chuck, my unequal half, who will no doubt discern some reference to civil engineering in this story. He is my favorite person, regardless.
Most of all, thank you, person-holding-this-book, and all the smart and kind and generous booksellers and librarians who helped it find its way to you. Your interest in and commitment to old-school storytelling is a force of good in this world. I will keep writing as long as you keep reading.