Roost (19 page)

When I’m done, I’ve uncovered my mother’s funeral bulletin. Such a perfect photo Dad chose. There is light in her eyes, a little curl in her hair, and she is wearing her favourite green sweater. I think I should be sad, that seeing it again should make me sad and I should take it down like the other expired notices. But instead I find myself placing a magnet in each corner of the bulletin, adjusting it so it’s neat and straight on the fridge, and I smile. She would want to come to the party.

Sincere thanks to the entire Board and staff of Freehand Books, particularly JoAnn McCaig and Barbara Scott for acquiring and supporting
Roost
from pitch to print. My Managing Editor, Kelsey Attard, for her unwavering commitment to this project from proof to promotion and whose every communication was delivered with an infectious optimism. My Editor, Robyn Read, who has been immensely generous with her time, expertise and friendship through multiple drafts of this book, particularly the early days before she parked on my lawn, when the book did not have a plot and ham and cheese croissants hadn’t yet been discovered. And yes, we can and we did say
Rainman
. My mentor, Betty Jane Hegerat, for her extraordinary ability to simultaneously deliver praise and critique so comments like “I had no idea what was going on here” came across “this is really good.” Thanks for leading and following, but please never “get out of the way.” Paul “Coach Q” Quarrington, whose advice and validation through the Humber School for Writers set this entire process into motion. Gwen Davies for being there from the get go as my first writing teacher and facilitator. The Writers Guild of Alberta with support from the Canada Council for the
WGA
Mentorship Program, which bridged the all important gap
between the tenth draft and the publishable manuscript. Todd Babiak for generously reading
Roost
and providing a blurb that somehow makes me feel way cooler than I actually am, and Natalie Olsen for designing the cover and capturing the essence of the book so completely.

To my many friends, clients and family who have supported me as a person through this process whether with their words or through gifts of writing time sans children I am eternally grateful. Special thanks to those who specifically supported me as a writer: Patricia Arab, Melanie Battle, Reta Dennis, Rebecca Gulbransen, Erin Haysom, Tanya Heck, Bianca Johnny, Jennie King, Amanda Maclean, Char Martin, Jesse Wallace, Kelly Weedon, Chas Young. My one and only Halifax writing group: Mary Clancy, Dennis Earle, Nancy Newcomb, Atulya Saxena, and Mary-Evelyn Ternan. My big sisters, “Amy the Great” Weedon for cheerleading and Amanda Brazil for laughing at my jokes. My father, Peter Weedon, for his encouragement and support and my mother Diane Wallace, my original mentor and editor, my always mother, for her unparalleled support and guidance. This book is your success too. To my three babes: Pippa, Hugo and Odessa for keeping me grounded and inspired with your wild and wooly ways and tolerating me on the days I was up writing at five in the morning and was an asshole by eight at night. To my husband, Dave Bryan, my first fan, for accepting me unconditionally. Through open cupboard doors, small portions, and jackets on the floor, you never doubted this would happen. You are one cool accountant.

Last, thanks be to God. How great thou art, how great thou art.

Ali Bryan is a personal trainer who grew up in Halifax and attended high school in Sackville, New Brunswick. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s University and completed a graduate certificate in creative writing from the Humber School for Writers under the tutelage of Paul Quarrington. She was a finalist in the 2010
CBC
Canada Writes literary contest for her essay “Asshole Homemaker” and a bronze medalist in the 2012 Canada Writes Literary Triathlon. Ali lives in Calgary with her husband and three children. Her real name is Alexandra.
Roost
is her first novel.