To everyone at the University of Virginia’s MFA program, but especially Jane Alison, who “suggested” I write a novel for my thesis, and to all my many other teachers over the years, including Robert Cohen, whose Barthelme-heavy reading lists and early tolerance for my nonsense were invaluable.

To the very earliest readers of this novel, Jane (again), Chris Tilghman, Chloe Benjamin, and Bri Cavallaro, none of whom advised that I quit writing and go to law school, at least to my face.

To all of my friends for their endless love and patience, but especially to Maddie, Dan, and Bri (again) for being generous advisors and confidants during the whole terrifying process of writing and selling and publishing a book. Unfortunately for them it is unlikely that I will shut up, even now.

Finally, last but not least, and in fact most: to Raf, who has probably read ten versions of this book, bless him, and who made writing it possible in a hundred other ways, large and small. Lick, paw.

About the Author

EMILY TEMPLE was born in Syracuse, New York. She earned a BA from Middlebury College and an MFA in fiction from the University of Virginia, where she was the recipient of a Henfield Prize. She now lives in Brooklyn, where she is a senior editor at Literary Hub. This is her first novel.

About the Publisher

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