Bunheads (32 page)
“Very good,” I say. “Now take a deep breath. Let’s dance.”
Writing this novel has been an incredibly cathartic, humbling process, and it took a small village to see it to fruition.
This book would not have been possible without the guidance and patience of my dear friend and fellow writer, Emily Chenoweth. I would like to thank my incredible editor, Elizabeth Bewley, who sought me out and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. My literary agent, Brettne Bloome, has been the book’s biggest cheerleader from the inception of this project.
Thanks to my parents, Fran and Bob, who’ve always encouraged me to dream big and to strive for things seemingly beyond my grasp. And a big hug to my younger sister, Hannah, whom I hope to be like someday.
My partner in crime, Josh Charles, lived with me through possibly one of the biggest life transitions I’ll ever experience, during which I wrote this book. Babe, if we could get through that, we can get through anything. Your generosity, support, loyalty, curiosity, and extraordinary talent inspire me every single day.
Some of the most influential people in my life rarely receive the acknowledgment they so deserve. In order of chronology, these ballet teachers had a profound impact on my dance career: Jill Silverman, Kristen Beckwith, Anna-Marie Holmes, Alexandra Bullock, Jacqueline Cronsberg, Sandra Jennings, Gloria Govrin, Patricia McBride, Suzanne Farrell, Susan Pilarre, Kay Mazzo, Suki Schorer, Nancy Bielski, and Wilhelm Burmann.
A standing ovation for the professors who influenced the way I view the world, and have given me the tools and confidence to take on this project: Professor Christian De Matteo, Professor Robert A. Ferguson, Professor Nalini Jones, and Professor Erik Gray.
I am grateful to Peter Martins and the New York City Ballet for allowing me to achieve my dream of dancing with one of the best companies on the planet. It was an adventure of a lifetime, and my experiences there, both onstage and off, helped inform the person I am today.
And I would like to acknowledge the die-hard balletomanes up in the fifth ring. I danced for you guys every night.
Copyright © 2011 by Sophie Flack
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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First eBook Edition: October 2011
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
ISBN: 978-0-316-19322-1
