Is This Tomorrow: A Novel (35 page)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’m thrilled I get to say “thank you for changing my life” to the gods and goddesses at Algonquin, especially to my genius editor Andra Miller. Huge thanks to the amazing Bob Miller, Ina Stern, Elisabeth Scharlatt, Peter Workman, Michael Taeckens, Megan Fishmann, Kelly Bowen, Craig Popelars, Lauren Moseley, Brunson Hoole, Carol Schneider, Sara Rose Nordgren, Emma Boyer, Katie Ford, and the rest of the stellar team. I can never thank my adored agent Gail Hochman enough, and big thanks, too, to Jody Klein, Bill Contardi, Gabe Szabo, and Joanne Brownstein.

For research help, thanks to my two young, wonderful assistants, Madison Wilson and Robby Auld, and profound thanks to researcher Victoria Romero. Joe Flores gave legal help and hilarious stories of male nursing in the
1960
s; police officers Peter Noonan and Al Loustalot (thanks to his granddaughter Victoria, too), were invaluable; and Kathleen Decosmo, Pat Carey, Amelia Quinn, Maggie Balistreri, Wendy Schwartz Kaplan, Loucille Fournier, and Mo Bordenca opened up the world of
1950
s and
1960
s nursing to me. Joseph Clark and John McHugh solved my forensics problems and I had delicious help about pie baking from master pastry chef Gale Gand. Thanks, too, to Jeff Clarke, Judy Cohen, Cara DeBeer, Gina Hyams, Bonni Miller, Linda Matlow, Eileen Oliver, and Caroline Muir.

For wading through drafts and offering insights: I have depended on Rochelle Jewell Shapiro, Leora Skolkin-Smith, Katharine Weber, Robb Forman Dew, Liza Nelson, Gina Sorell, Jane Praeger, Lisa Cron, Jeff Lyons, Jeff Tamarkin, Molly Moynahan, Jennifer Gooch Hummer, Jessica Brilliant Keener, Clea Simon, and Dori Ostermiller. For support and cheer: Victoria Zackheim, John Truby, Leslie Lehr, Linda Corcoran, Jo Fisher, Sarah McCoy, Amy McKinnon, Dawn Tripp, Jo-Ann Mapson, Elizabeth Brundage, Liz Flock, Peter Salzano, Sandy Novack, Sheila Weller, Helen Leavitt, Ruth Leavitt, Nancy Lattanzi, Kathy L. Patrick and the Pulpwood Queens, and Barbara Drummond Mead, whom I miss dearly. I would be remiss if I did not also thank my Facebook and Twitter friends who cheered me on as I posted about writing this novel.

I owe special thanks and love to Jodi Picoult for fairy-godmothering me, to Anne Lamott for her heart as big as Jupiter, and to Adriana Trigiani for her warmth and kindness.

And of course, to my partners-in-crime and the absolute loves of my life, Jeff and Max.

Is This Tomorrow

A Note from the Author

Questions for Discussion

A Note from the Author

In the
1960
s, I moved from my grandmother’s Brookline apartment to a new development in Waltham, Massachusetts. The suburbs! Our own house! My father never tired of telling me that “here was life.” My sister and I could run around on our own, the schools were great, there was fresh air and sunshine. There were even spindly little trees planted, the promise of big leafy greenery to come. This new dream meant happiness, safety, community. Or did it?

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