Fugitive Colors is a work of historical fiction. I researched extensively and interviewed dozens of experts for background information about Paris in the 1930s, Nazi Germany, the history of modern art, and specifically “Degenerate Art.” I would especially like to tip my literary hat to Lynn H. Nicholas for her masterpiece, The Rape of Europa:The Fate of Europe’s Treasures in the Third Reich and the Second World War, and to Stephanie Barron, curator of the powerful exhibit and book Degenerate Art: The Fate of the Avant-Garde in Nazi Germany, shown at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1991—simply brilliant.
Many thanks again to the Hollywood Film Festival’s Opus Magnum Discovery Award for recognizing and honoring my manuscript. A girl never forgets her first . . . prize; or her first published short story. Hadassah Magazine, you brought to life “The Painting” years ago. That moment, that stunning cover artwork, meant everything to me—it was the prequel to Fugitive Colors, and where Ernst Engel first made his appearance.
To the Jerusalem Post and Moment magazine: Thank you for the incredible opportunities you gave me, to edit and report on the most fascinating news, which not only landed on paper but also deep in my soul.
To all those who suffered for their art, their passion—artists whose canvases and brushes were plundered and stolen from their hands. Your legacy lives on, I hope, through Julian Klein’s voice; your story was told . . . and your truth.
And to those who have graced my life and my work:
Liza Fleissig of the Liza Royce Agency—the incomparable feisty agent with a laugh that could be heard from New York to Chicago— discovered my manuscript and took Fugitive Colors the distance, and to Ginger Harris-Dontzin. Julie Matysik, my brilliant editor at Arcade, who can magically spin an ordinary word into gold.
To the editors along the way: Lisa Eisen, a woman who wears many hats in my life; my beautiful soul-sister and bad-ass editor with a wicked red pen, the incredible Sally Arteseros, the talented Nathan Englander (for his insightful suggestions on character development); to super strategist Daniel Kim (whose advice I never pass up); and to all those who read my novel and threw their suggestions my way, especially the “Deerfield Moms,” who demanded to know more about Julian’s childhood. They suggested including a prologue from his past (hope I did you proud, Ladies). A personal note of gratitude to Sam Harris, president emeritus of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and author of Sammy: Child Survivor of the Holocaust, who read Fugitive Colors and gave me the greatest of all compliments:“I’m proud of you. You got it right.”
To the women who make me a better woman: Beth Richard (your voice is music to my ears, Sistah), Lisa Newman, Julie Kreamer, Rebecca Fishman, Randi Gideon, Ellen Katz, Leslie Kaufman, Amy Klein, Bonnie Rochman, Malina Saval, Dina Kaplan, Sharon Feldman, Staci Chase, Paula Goldman, Julie Gorden, Marnie Wilcox, Leslie Golub, Terri Frydman, Revital Frydman, Susan Barr (mother-in-law extraordinaire), and Bonnie Schoenberg (who proves over and over that “forty-plus” is really two twenty-year-olds dancing inside one woman—Amen!).
To my Support Squad. I am blessed with a large family who deserve a few shout-outs: Jonathan Frydman (for always keeping me grounded), Jimmy Frydman (my “bookend”—for always showing the logical side to an emotionally charged Big Sis), Jason Frydman, Richard Barr (my number one fan and book distributor), Steve Schoenberg, Jason Richard, Suzanne Cahnmann, Leonard Cahnmann, and Joseph Frydman. And to the next generation: Josh, Jonah, Jacob, Tommy, Ben, Tamar, Ziv, Zohar, Danielle, and Sabrina.
To my inspiration: Grandpa Ephroim Frydman (nearly 102 and still the handsomest guy in town), and Grandma Rachel, who taught me the meaning of life, love, and survival—I can picture you now serving up God’s favorite dishes in Heaven’s Kitchen (HE just better clean his plate . . . ).
A special thanks to an amazing cousin and friend, Gary Lincenberg, for his brilliant legal mind and warm heart, and for using his talent and skill when I needed him most.
To my mentors: Sue Chernoff (best boss ever), Sherren Leigh, Steve Leibowitz, Mitch Pilcer, Joel Weisman, Hershel Shanks, and Suzanne Singer—for teaching me the ins and outs of journalism. Never take “No” for answer.
To my GIRLilla Warfare team, especially my incredibly talented designer Dave Stepen. And to Marcy Padorr for putting my work on the map and just being so damn wonderful.
To Solomon Schechter Day School for encouraging me to write, write, write . . . and to always ask questions.
To my fabulous baristas: Without my daily dose of “Grande Extra Hot Mocha” and “plugging” into my local Starbucks (home-away-from-home), none of this could have percolated.
And to my Happily Ever After: Davey Babe, Noa, Maya, Barski, Chloe, and Izzi—you make the journey so much sweeter, the drama stronger, our home so much warmer. Loving you is the best chapter of all. xoxo