Thank you to the Jacana Literary Foundation for being brave enough to publish a novel about breaking through entrenched forms of expression and to my editor Jenefer Shute, whose delicate touch belies a laser-like acuity in separating the good from the bad.
While writing this novel as part of the MA in Creative Writing at the University of the Witwatersrand, I was very fortunate to have the support of Karen Lazar and Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, as well as the infinitely perceptive Gerrit Olivier. They patiently turned my words over every which way and offered sound and sane comment. The input of my fellow travellers Jessica Liebenberg, Dennis Dvornak and Billy Rivers was also invaluable. Thanks also go to my parents for their supernatural faith in me. Finally, I owe a debt of gratitude to my intrepid readers Danièlle Crouse, Vicky Jacob-Ebbinghaus and above all, my husband James.