I wouldn’t have completed this novel if it hadn’t been for the encouragement of my early readers and “critics”: Kate Mayberry, whose first name I borrowed for the main character and who spurred me on to make it as funny as possible, Athena McKenzie, Vivian Vassos, Arlene Stacey, Suzanne Boyd, Meredyth Young, and Jamie Reid for providing support and insight.
The novel would have remained a personal exercise if it weren’t for the invaluable judgment of my film-rights agent, Jerry Kalajian, who, after reading the first draft, gave spot-on notes and believed in me as a fiction writer. Then there is the incomparable Diana Beaumont, my dear friend, wise editor, and superlative agent, who saw something in this story of mine and pushed me to get it right. And the glamorous Grainne Fox, who jumped on as coagent and made it happen in North America. Huzzah, indeed!
I’d like to thank my fabulous editors, my own version of the “three tenors,” namely Isobel Akenhead from Hodder & Stoughton, Brenda Copeland from St. Martin’s Press, and Jennifer Lambert from HarperCollins Canada, who believed in this book and willingly worked together across borders and time zones and made it so much better. And to everyone behind the scenes at all three publishing houses in London, New York, and Toronto, some of whom I’ve met and others I know only by name, who gave their expertise in copyediting, design, layout, marketing, sales, publicity, and the digital universe, I say thank you, thank you!
I’d also like to thank Griffith Saunders for the use of his name. I also thank his parents, Doug Saunders and Elizabeth Renzetti, for saying yes and for giving me a roof in London for my research trips.
And continuing gratitude to my family and my friends and colleagues at Zoomer magazine, particularly Julie Matus, and my slew of “horsey” friends and others who continue to cheer me on.
Finally, thanks and love to my own Mr. Rich, Richard M. Ilnycki, who makes my life complete, and that is certainly fortune enough for me.