Really, every writer needs an agent as steady and wise as Lisa Grubka to talk her off all the ledges, and an editor as clear-eyed and thoughtful as Melanie Tortoroli to make things better. Many thanks as well to Tara Singh Carlson, Georgia Bodnar, Sheila Moody, Meredith Burks, Lindsay Prevette, Kate Stark, Andrea Schulz, Brian Tart, and the rest of the wonderful team at Viking.
People who love where they live happen to be some of the most delightful folks on the planet. I’m indebted to the friends and strangers who told me their stories and to the researchers who illuminated my thinking. Katherine Loflin’s work in particular laid the foundation for this one. Special thanks to Gertie Moore, Holly Doggett, Jessica Esch, Kate McCarty, Sean Hagan, Sarah Sutton, Alisha Niswander, Nancy Barton, Kate Milo, Betsy Birmingham, Kevin Brooks, Rory Beil, Tom Smith, Mike Williams, Melissa Sobolik, Matt Tomasulo, Kelley Brackett, Rupa DeLoach, Alwyn Luckey, Ken and Vanessa Vanhille, and Brian Mogren. Good souls, all.
In Blacksburg, Jane Aronson, Laureen Blakemore, Robin Boucher, James Creekmore, Neal Feierabend, Diana Francis, Scott and Joyce Hendricks, Kristy Hudson, Laura Krisch, Susan Mattingly, Ben Schoenfeld, Betty Watts, my neighbors, and everyone from the Blacksburg Citizens Institute informed, participated in, or unwittingly aided my Love Where You Live experiments. I’m grateful to them.
Beta readers Neal and Jolene Henshaw, Megan Rust, Rhonda Burch, Amber Daines, and Jacob Rawlins offered encouragement, advice, and a shot of confidence when I needed it. Other friends and family members who cheered me on or provided key insights include Stan and Linda Warnick, Jon and Heather Coombs, Laura Oler, Adrienne Penrod, Erika Layland, Jessie Charles, Jen Galán, Chris and Marin Riegger, Nate and Lucynthia Rockwood, Jon and Cami Felt, Danille Christensen, Brittany Cornelsen, Michelle Lucas, Nicki Watson, Jen Averett, Althea Aschmann, Shirley Andersen, Rita Rowe, and others too numerous to mention.
My writing group has (digitally) had my back for years. Thanks to Teri Cettina, Denise DiFulco, Meagan Francis, Heather Greenwood Davis, Kate Hanley, Sandra Hume, Jeannette Moninger, Gwen Moran, Leslie Pepper, Kate Reilly, Gretchen Roberts, Emily Rogan, Denise Schipani, and Caroline Tiger.
None of this would have happened without the early faith and enthusiasm of my parents, Richard McGrath and Judi Fox, and gifted teachers over the years, including Beverly Maeda, Jean Lahey, Carol Hallenbeck, Patrick Lampman, and Jeff Driggs.
Most of all, thanks to my family. Quinn, Ella, and Ruby give the places I live meaning. They are home for me.