Grace's Table (22 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A novel springs first from the mind of its author, but is then touched by many others, each of whom leave their mark, if not necessarily on the final work, most certainly on the life of the author.

Of those people, special thanks must go to friend and mentor Kris Olsson. Your gentle wisdom, subtle questions and well-timed silences helped me to pause, think and find confidence, and your humour and friendship kept me grounded in the real world.

Heartfelt thanks to Caroline and Lynda who have been with me since the first word; Alison and Julie for never losing faith even when mine was lagging; and Jane and Christine for helping keep the dream alive. Thanks also to Jocelyn, Louise, David, Sue, Michael, Sarah, Mick, and my Tuesday friends for your support and encouragement; and to Wayne, Janina, Martin, Andrew, and the enviably younger Grissie cohort – for your friendship and laughter.

Thanks to Varuna, The Writers' House in Katoomba, NSW. The publishing fellowship I was awarded at this unique and invaluable place came at a crucial time in the novel's progress.

Gratitude and thanks to Judith Lukin-Amundsen – your relaxed and generous conversations were as important to me as your insightful editorial notes. Thanks also to the professional and supportive team at UQP: Madonna Duffy, Jacqueline Blanchard and Meredene Hill – your enthusiasm and energy for books is boundless.

Finally, thanks to my family – to John for never questioning the purpose of it, and to my sons, Aaron and Liam, your curiosity about the ways of the world is ever contagious, as is the humour you bring to our table.

First published 2014 by University of Queensland Press

PO Box 6042, St Lucia, Queensland 4067 Australia

www.uqp.com.au

[email protected]

© 2014 Sally Piper

This book is copyright. Except for private study, research,

criticism or reviews, as permitted under the Copyright Act,

no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,

or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior

written permission. Enquiries should be made to the publisher.

Cover design/illustration by Allison Colpoys

Author photograph by Christine Sharp

Typeset in
12/15pt Bembo
by Post Pre-press Group, Brisbane

Printed in China by 1010 Printing International Limited

Cataloguing-in-Publication entry is available from the National Library of Australia

http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/

ISBN (pbk) 978 0 7022 5004 0

ISBN (pdf) 978 0 7022 5237 2

ISBN (epub) 978 0 7022 5238 9

ISBN (kindle) 978 0 7022 5239 6

University of Queensland Press uses papers that are natural, renewable and recyclable products made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The logging and manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.