I wish to express my gratitude to the staff and students of the University of British Columbia Creative Writing MFA program, especially Joseph Boyden, Gail Anderson-Dargatz, Annabel Lyon, Sara Graefe, and Merilyn Simonds. I learned not to be comfortable, and to ask better questions. Your voices inspire me daily.
Thank you to the tireless staff at Inanna Publications, who are kind and have incredible attention to detail.
I am lucky to have had many thoughtful readers, including Kim McCullough, Katie Wagner, and Christina Sheppard. Special thanks to Heidi Grogan, who opened my heart.
Thank you to all the birth and adoptive parents who shared their stories. You are incredible.
A round of appreciation for the ladies of the Husky Energy Land Department of 2002, who allowed me to be their pet and were tickled pink when I told them I would be a writer.
Much love to my family, who is always there for me, and my daughters, who write fiercely too. Lastly, James, who is everything from a creator of calming jingles to my soulmate.