Perfect on Paper (43 page)

First and foremost, heartfelt thanks to my own personal gridmeister, Pete Mitchell, who provided not only the grid, but more than a few of the clues, for the puzzle on
page 325
(or my Web site, if you’re holding an ebook). Equally heartfelt thanks to the lovely and talented Vica Miller, who invited me to read at her literary salon, and to my agent, Molly Lyons, who was open-minded enough to attend a literary salon showcasing the work of unpublished authors.

Many insightful readers have given me support over the years, but special mention is due to Maureen Brady and the writers in her advanced fiction workshops, who provided invaluable feedback—notably Laurie Silver, who asked to keep reading even when she was no longer required to do so. Thanks to my editor, Kerry Donovan, who shepherded me through the publishing process with unflagging good cheer, and her team at NAL.

Thanks to all my friends in crossworld, especially my fellow Brain Cell Killers: Nousheen Afshani-Wezorek and Joe Wezorek; Carmen and John Dreyer; Carol Ezeir and Ned “Eduardo” Robert; Will Irving; Sharen McKay and Keith Yarbrough; Bill Sullivan; Virgil Talaid—and to my beloved Dougs, Ashleigh and Heller.

Thanks to my endlessly supportive family: my mother, Margaret, and the late Harry Siefert (who may be the only father on the planet who was thrilled when his daughter married a drummer). My sister, Joan Siefert Rose; her husband, Jim; and my dear nephs, Andy and Ian. Any and all Gosses, Luwisches, Zawises, and Stows. And to those people who might as well be family: Vykie Whipple and her boys; my Camp Oneka girls; Amy Lipman; Ellen Yampolsky; and Henry and Linda Kellerman. And to the late Michael J. Campo—wish you were here.

Finally, a special thanks to my paragon of a husband, Edgar, who never stopped believing in me (despite formidable odds to the contrary).

Janet Goss
lives in Greenwich Village with her husband, Edgar, and their spoiled-rotten behemoth of a cat, Gomez. She is currently working on a new novel that will be published by New American Library in 2013.