The Underground (30 page)
Authors: Ilana Katz Katz
My family always supported my writing. My father, Rabbi Paul Levenson, and my mother, Marlyn Katz Levenson made sure that every room of our childhood home dripped with books. My mother also endured weekly trips to the library with all four, less than well behaved, kids to foster a love of reading. Special thanks to my sister Yonah Levenson Hirschman for proofreading and editing various versions of this book, and to my brother Dode Levenson, whose writing accomplishments far outweigh my own. You helped me learn about plot, dialog, and writing a synopsis. You also encouraged me to keep going just when I needed it. Thanks to my brother Bobby Levenson for reading an early draft and cheering me along from the sidelines.
I thank my unbelievably wonderful aunts, Judy Clapp and Irene Rimer. You have both been invaluable in my life in so many ways including offering encouragement with my writing endeavors.
I’m also very blessed to have families that extend beyond my homestead. My yearly pilgrimage to Ashokan Fiddle and Dance Camp has been a vital part of recharging my batteries, particularly when I was discouraged. I especially want to thank Betsy Kubick, Debra Clifford, Dotty Moore, Eric Brock, Kathleen Moore, Rebecca Kalin, and last, but not least, my dear friend Rebecca Unger a.k.a. Dr. Reba.
The New England Chapter of the Romance Writer’s of America has been instrumental in my education about the business of writing and finding like-minded friends who are extremely funny and supportive. Both traits are important when surveying the publishing arena. I could not have done this without the help, encouragement, and wisdom of some key people who are part of this amazing organization, including Annette Blair, Janet Campbell, Jenny Brown, Jessica Smith, Marie Force, Mike Myers, Pam Claughton, and Traci Fleischman and Valerie Harris.
A number of people believed in me when I didn’t think I could continue to work on this project. I have never forgotten their encouragement. Thank you all for your love and support: Alexa Albert, Amy Goldminz, Avi Weiss, Bonnie Watson, Carol Miller, Claire and David Weis, Darryl Settles, Dave Jilk, Deb Elliott, Dell Lunceford, Eve Goldminz, Fernando Albertorio, Hank Kniskern, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Helena Collins, Jennifer Cohen Katz, Jennifer Coon-Wallman, Joanna Meiseles, Jodi Solomon, Jodi Turek, Julie Nussbaum, Kathy Van Patten, Larry Coury, Lisa Owens, Lori Rutter, Lynne Levenson, Marci Sapers, Michele Janis, Michael Tucker, Michael Walsh, Michelle Katz, Mike O’Connor, Nina Ghareeb, Pam Janis, Paul Nowinski, Paul Sandberg, Peggy Conant, Paris Stulbach, Valerie Sandberg, Sandra Herman, Simone Hnilicka, Susan Ruf, Tori Stuart, and Will Herman.
I also want to thank two significant people who fueled my writing aspirations: I was very fortunate to take courses in college with Pulitzer Prize winner Madeleine Blais more than twenty years ago. Her ability to tell moving, true stories about people with a beauty and sensitivity is unmatched.
I must also thank my previous agent, Marly Rusoff, for believing in my storytelling. I will always be thankful for my experience working with you.
I want to thank my husband, Warren Jay Katz, who I love with all my heart and soul, for inspiring me to pick myself up and keep learning and working hard.
Finally, I want to thank all readers who continue to support writers in all ways. I sincerely hope you enjoy my stories. Many more are on the way.
Sincerely,
Ilana Katz Katz
Boston, MA
www.ilanakatz.com
[email protected]
twitter: @katzkatz
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