A Hundred Summers (45 page)

Acknowledgments

I pinch myself daily. I have the best job in the world, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support and advice of a host of talented people.

The zeal and instinct of my literary agent, Alexandra Machinist, are the stuff of legend. For her advice, for her persistence, for her staying up most of the night after a film premiere to finish reading this manuscript, and for a thousand other services, I am forever grateful. To the rest of the fabulous team at Janklow & Nesbit: thank goodness you’re on my side!

The enthusiasm and support (to say nothing of the birthday flowers!) from the lovely people at Putnam are an author’s dream. My editor, Chris Pepe, and her assistant, Meaghan Wagner; my publisher, Ivan Held; Katie McKee, Lydia Hirt, Alexis Welby, Kate Stark, and Mary Stone, to name just a few among the marketing and publicity mavens; the art department geniuses who created this gorgeous jacket; copyeditors, proofreaders, salespeople: you are my heroes. Thank you.

Special thanks are in order to my valiant book tour wingmen: Steve Wayne, George Knight, Bradford Bates, Justin Armour, Ted Ullyot, and Dr. Caleb Moore (who also provided valuable diagnostic assistance for Nick Greenwald’s broken leg). You are the truest gentlemen.

The fellowship of other writers has meant so much to me this year. Hugs to Lauren Willig, Karen White, Chris Farnsworth, Darynda Jones, Mary Bly, and Jenny Bernard, among others, for all the support, advice, friendship, and sheep humor.

My family and friends have offered untold and unsung assistance to my writing gig. While it’s impossible to name you all, I have to single out for special effort Sydney and Caroline Williams, Chris Chantrill, Renée Chantrill, Caroline and Bill Featherston, Melissa and Edward Williams, Anne and David Juge, Robin Brooksby, Jana Lauderbaugh, Elizabeth Kirby Fuller, Jennifer Arcure, Rachel Kahan, and of course my beloved husband, Sydney, and four loud (oops, I mean wonderful!) children. I’m so lucky to have you all in my life.

Finally, to all the readers around the world who have lifted and inspired me with your e-mails, Facebook posts, tweets, and messages of all sorts: thank you, thank you. You make it all worthwhile.

About the Author

Beatriz Williams is a graduate of Stanford University with an MBA in finance from Columbia University. Her widely acclaimed first novel,
Overseas,
is an international bestseller and has been translated into seven languages. She lives with her husband and four young children in southwestern Connecticut, where she divides her time between writing and laundry.