ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation and love to my friends, family, patrons, and those who have supported me and all my quirky creative endeavors. I could have done none of this without you. Your wise insights, encouragement, and belief in me throughout the years, and while writing this book, have kept me going and kept me sane. Thank you for everything.

Paul Biba, Gina Carter, Daniel Cook, Thomas and Peggy Czechowski, David Dastmalchian, Ethan Ellenberg (agent extraordinaire), Eric Gage, Erik Howden, Keiko Iijima, Pamela Jewel, Yukiko Kawabata, Michelle Knopf, Yoshio Kuboyama, Linda Lombardi, Luca, Karen Masuda, Julyan Ray Matsuura, Kōitsu and Sanae Matsuura, Motoki and Mikito Matsuura, Joanna Matsunaga, Chris McClory, Andy McLellan, Priya Monrad, Susie and Steve Molnar, Amoretta Morris, Miwa Nito, Gabriel Novo, Yuki Otsuka, Evan J. Peterson, Rich Pav, Doris Pavonarius, Dollar Rain, Dennis Faxholm Rasmussen, Steven Redford, John H. Roberts, Kaho Saito, Gina Schwaderer, Michelle Shene, Courtney Ellis Smith, Erika Sone, Kazumi Sone, Leah Strebin, Sue Sullivan, Patty Suzuki, Jean Taylor, Jas Todd, Steve Urick, Dan Watson, Annette “Boss” Wilkinson, Mari Yagi, Mélissa Yoyotte, and my entire Clarion West family.