The City Baker's Guide to Country Living (32 page)

With gratitude and great affection, I would like to thank the following people who made this book possible:

My super hero agent, Alexandra Machinist, who makes the whole process of selling a book and all that follows look effortless. I am so thankful to have her in my corner.

My editor, Pam Dorman, for her brilliant, insightful editing and steadfast support, and for saying keep in touch all those years ago. It was her early encouragement that kept me writing through all the messy revisions and days full of doubt. Never in my wildest daydreams did I imagine that Pam would actually wind up as my editor, and I couldn't be more delighted or grateful that she did.

All the wonderful people at Viking Penguin, who did such a beautiful job ushering this book into the world, including Brian Tart, Andrea Schulz, Lindsay Prevette, Kate Stark, Carolyn Coleburn, Jeramie Orton, Seema Mahanian, Rebecca Lang, Mary Stone, Roseanne Serra, Hilary Roberts, Jeannette Williams, Tricia Conley, and the sales team at Penguin Random House.

My writing teachers, especially J. G. Hayes, who made it possible to begin, and Michelle Hoover, who saw me through to the end.

All the folks at GrubStreet writing center, who make an education in creative writing accessible to everyone.

The members of the Novel Incubator community, especially Susan Bernhard, Michele Ferrari, Kelly Ford, Lissa Franz, Mark Guerin, Cynthia Johnson, Anjali Mathur, Kelly Robertson, Emily Ross, Patricia
Sollner, and Jennie Wood. Thank you so much for your tireless feedback and happy encouragement.

My partners in crime on
The Debutante Ball
: Jennifer S. Brown, Aya de Leon, Abby Fabiaschi, and Heather Young. Thank you for making this nerve-racking year so much fun.

Kate Racculia, mentor and friend, who gave me the greatest revision advice: bring on the dad. I can't imagine what my debut year would have been like without all of your wonderful guidance and good cheer.

Chris O'Connor—incredible writer, astute reader, cofounder of VGAWP and sender of the world's most inspiring (and profanity-laden) text messages—no one could ask for a smarter critique partner, a more enthusiastic champion, or a better friend.

My dear friend Andrea Raynor, who said I should be a writer when I told her I had just dropped out of art school.

Writing pals Margaret Zamos-Monteith and Catherine Elcik, for their friendship and unwavering confidence in this book.

The Albritton family—Bill, June, and Brit—for their love and support.

Bridget Collins for baking, Lorraine Lee Hammond for old-time banjo, and Corey Raynor for Vermont.

The chefs—Luc Robert, Charlie Binda, and Greg Everard—for answering all my savory cooking questions, giving me time off so I could attend workshops and meet deadlines, and the endless teasing.

My mom, Carol Rizzo, and my sisters Lisa Cataldo and Brenda Miller-Holmes, for believing that I could, and for being so excited when I did.

My dad, Douglas Miller, who loved good stories about regular people. Always loved and deeply missed.

And most of all, thanks and love to my Elizabeth Albritton—first reader, first editor, first everything.

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