Wingshooters (22 page)

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the following people for their help with this book:

Jennifer Gilmore and Kyoko Uchida, my wonderful readers, for their thoughtful comments on an early draft. Ron Hicks, who shared his knowledge about hunting and guns. Kate Nintzel, who pushed me at just the right time. Richard Parks, my agent, for his kindness, effort, and unflagging support.

Thank you to Johnny Temple, Johanna Ingalls, Ibrahim Ahmad, Aaron Petrovich, and the entire crew at Akashic Books, who have believed so deeply and worked so hard not just for this book, but for three of them now. It’s impossible to overstate how committed and amazing they have been. I’m truly blessed to be a part of the Akashic family.

I’m grateful to my friends and the faculty at Cornell, who brought me to Ithaca for a pivotal season in the life of this story; and to my colleagues at Children’s Institute, who continue to provide me with great understanding and flexibility. Thanks also to Elizabeth Bailey and Betsey Binet, for their feedback on the many things I put in front of them.

Love and belly rubs to the English springer spaniels whose spirits run through this book: Maddie Gilmore, the original; Georgia Harris, the explorer; Brett Roy, the majestic; and my own beloved Russell.

And finally, my love and gratitude to Felicia Luna Lemus. It’s because of her that I know, in my own life, about falling into grace.

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