You Can Say You Knew Me When (49 page)

I take great pleasure extending gratitude where it is due. First, to the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, where this novel began and where, years later, I finished the first draft. In between, my “artist’s retreats” with Christine Murray and John Rossell moved the writing of this novel forward in leaps and bounds. My deepest thanks to you two, great friends and great company.

Every month for four years I have foisted chunks of this manuscript on a group of writer friends, who helped make it better than I could have done on my own, and whose collective talent continues to humble and inspire me: John Vlahides, Elizabeth Costello, David Booth, and Catherine Brady. Along the way I have benefited from the careful reading, advice, and bottomless generosity of Kevin Clarke, Maria Maggenti, Dave Hickey, Gary Rosen, Robert Kaplan, Christine Murray, Sonia Stamm, Fenton Johnson, my family, my friends, and my colleagues at the University of San Francisco.

That this book exists at all is due to the phenomenal energy, wisdom, and guidance of Jandy Nelson. Along with everyone at Manus & Associates Literary Agency—thanks for always watching my back.

John Scognamiglio, my editor: For the intelligence and care you bring to each step of our collaboration, I thank you, along with your hardworking colleagues at Kensington Books.

For sharing stories of life in San Francisco past, I am in debt to the painter Pat Sherwood, whose art provided an inspiration for Ray Gladwell’s landscapes and portraits; and I blow a kiss to the late Bill Plath and Dick Rousseau. My appreciation also goes out to Mike Finn for sharing Bill and Dick’s letters; to Roman Mars for educating me about public radio; to Michael Lampen, for sharing the history of Grace Cathedral; to Tucker Schwarz for allowing me to hang her fine art on my fictitious warehouse walls; and to Jol Perez and the Cubby Creatures for the perfect lyrics. The “twig temple” in chapter 24 was modeled on Patrick Dougherty’s
St. Denis’ Tower.
To all the inspiring San Franciscans in my life, thanks for keeping this city interesting.

Finally, this book has been greatly influenced by the encouragement, decency, and openheartedness of my partner, Kevin Clarke, and my father, Karl Soehnlein, Sr. This one’s for both of you.