Based on a True Story (23 page)

Acknowledgements

To every friend who offered unwavering support and resisted the temptation to say, “Aren’t you done yet?” I am deeply grateful. In particular, I want to thank Karen Evans and Sarah Withrow, who read early drafts of the novel and made wise suggestions for changes that I was too myopic to see myself. Generous English friends, among them James Payne, Greg Cheverall, Joanne Shurvell, and Phil Jackman, provided insights into the exotic ways of the British. My agent John Pearce was a steady and reassuring hand on the tiller, and the wonderful staff at House of Anansi made certain that this ship made it safely to harbour. Sarah MacLachlan showed faith from the beginning, and I was incredibly fortunate to have as my editor Janie Yoon, a true partner in all ways. Melanie Little was scrupulous and sensitive in her copyediting.

No acknowledgements would be complete without thanking my mother, Mildred Renzetti, and my parents-in-law, Pat and Lou Saunders, indefatigable providers of support and babysitting. I’m also deeply grateful to my children, Griff and Maud, for enjoying being babysat, occupying themselves so industriously, and rarely complaining when Mom got that far-off look in her eye.

My stellar colleagues at the
Globe and Mail
, who bear no resemblance to the crew at the
London Advance
, kept me laughing and in love with newspapers. The Bloor-Gladstone branch of the Toronto Public Library was an oasis of calm in which to work and chew fingernails.

Above all, I want to thank Doug Saunders, without whom this book would not have been possible. He provided encouragement, excellent editing advice, and scotch in measures exactly commensurate to my needs. He is the best partner in crime a woman could have.

About the Author

ELIZABETH RENZETTI
is a columnist for the
Globe and Mail
, and for several years worked in the newspaper’s Los Angeles and London bureaus. She has been the editor of the Books and Arts sections of the
Globe and Mail
and editor of
Elm Street
magazine. Her work has been anthologized in collections of essays, and she regularly appears as a radio and television commentator.

About the Publisher

House of Anansi Press was founded in 1967 with a mandate to publish Canadian-authored books, a mandate that continues to this day even as the list has branched out to include internationally acclaimed thinkers and writers. The press immediately gained attention for significant titles by notable writers such as Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, George Grant, and Northrop Frye. Since then, Anansi's commitment to finding, publishing and promoting challenging, excellent writing has won it tremendous acclaim and solid staying power. Today Anansi is Canada's pre-eminent independent press, and home to nationally and internationally bestselling and acclaimed authors such as Gil Adamson, Margaret Atwood, Ken Babstock, Peter Behrens, Rawi Hage, Misha Glenny, Jim Harrison, A. L. Kennedy, Pasha Malla, Lisa Moore, A. F. Moritz, Eric Siblin, Karen Solie, and Ronald Wright. Anansi is also proud to publish the award-winning nonfiction series The CBC Massey Lectures. In 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 Anansi was honoured by the Canadian Booksellers Association as "Publisher of the Year."