Belzhar (22 page)

I
AM
FORTUNATE
TO
HAVE
BEEN
SURROUNDED
BY
wise and generous people while writing this book. I consider myself particularly lucky to have been the recipient of the advice and expertise of Courtney Sheinmel, a wonderful writer, reader, and friend. It was Courtney who also introduced me to her friend, the writer Julia DeVillers, who not only made helpful suggestions, but also introduced me to her exceptional daughter Quinn DeVillers, who had a lot to say, all of it incredibly smart and useful.

Emma Kress, an extraordinary teacher and writer, offered her own wisdom; and Adele Griffin, a writer I truly admire, was an early and very thoughtful reader. Thanks are due to Delia Ephron for her perceptiveness, support, and friendship; and to Kaye Dyja, for giving me an honest and thorough teenager’s perspective. And to Jennifer Gilmore, for her sensitive eye, kindness, and all else. And to Martha Parker, for being present every step of the way. And to my mother, Hilma Wolitzer, for teaching me everything she knows about writing novels. And, of course, to my husband, Richard Panek, for his support and love. Thanks, too, to Laura Bonner at WME, for all her terrific work and unflagging enthusiasm.

I am also grateful to Michelle Kutzler, DVM, PhD, DACT, who gave of her time to talk me through the finer points of goat delivery. My agent, Suzanne Gluck, while not (to my knowledge) versed in that particular field, knows everything about how to help a writer bring a book into the world. Through Suzanne, I made a very happy home at Dutton and Penguin Young Readers, where I have been the recipient of the great kindness and care of the terrific Don Weisberg.

Finally, I owe a large debt of gratitude to my editor, Julie Strauss-Gabel, whom I cannot thank enough for her thoughtful suggestions, patience, and overall brilliance. Without Julie’s counsel, neither Belzhar nor
Belzhar
would exist.