I am grateful to many other writers for their support of my ongoing learning, above all, to Richard Bausch, who first encouraged me and who continues to fortify and inspire. Others include Steve Goodwin, Susan Richards Shreve, Alan Cheuse, Lorna Irvine, Andrea Hollander, John Brehm, Tony Hoagland, Judith Barrington, Ruth Gundle, Paulann Petersen, and Claudia Savage. Thank you, all.

I am also deeply grateful to the world of residencies and artists communities. Thank you especially for all I learned at the Alliance of Artists Communities and Caldera. Singular thanks to Hedgebrook, Ragdale, Ironbound Creative Residency, the Elizabeth Bishop House, and Jampolis Cottage for writing residencies that granted me precious time and validation.

Deep thanks to Berdene du Toit Owen and many others in Spot of Poetry/Little Books Collective for literary companionship and support, friendship and the exciting collaborative publishing adventure we are on together.

Thank you to those who have supported my writing life with monetary grants, including The Awesome Foundation, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, the Sherwood Anderson Foundation, and the Mary Roberts Rinehart family (Fiction Award).

And thank you to my family and friends, especially to my painter husband, Dave Clingan, my musician son Lucas Snell Biespiel (The Lightnin’ Luke), and my designer step-son George Clingan.