Charles Bock - Beautiful Children

The Vermont Studio Center and the UCross Foundation both were kind enough to provide me with fellowships and hospitality. The Corporation of Yaddo has been unfailingly generous to me, especially when there was no discernible reason to be. Amber Qureshi is a stone-cold joy. Marc Sapir and Isidro Blasco are wonderful, each of them, and yet for some reason I have listed them together. I need to thank everyone at the Bennington Writing Seminars for never quite running me out of town, in particular Priscilla Hodgkins, Sven Birkerts, and Askold Melnyczuk. Susan Choi is selfless and brilliant and basically awesome. Rick Moody is one of the best, most generous writers alive. To Mohammed Naseehu Ali, I make a personal promise, one day I will dance and sing for your birthday and you can insult me. Ryan Walsh, simply one of my favorite people on earth, rock on motherfucker. Mike Wise has been there for me in truly tough times, whether it was to listen to my newest and latest crazy scheme, throw me needed jobs, or just take me to lunch; I am so fortunate to have him in my life. Alison Smith is my personal corn muffin and I love her no end.

Everyone at Random House has been amazing, and I am so grateful that they have believed in my novel ( gracias, my ruthless corporate over-lords). In particular, the support of Gina Centrello has been priceless; my thanks to her are without end. Dana Blanchette worked very hard to make every page of this book a piece of art. Lynn Buckley is the genius who designed that once-in-a-lifetime cover. Diana Fox is efficient and intelligent and sweet as hell. Jynne Martin: goddess, shining and true. And as for David Ebershoff, my editor, well, there's a lot of talk in publishing circles about how editors don't edit anymore. Those comments are from people who aren't fortunate enough to have you working with them. I could not have been guided through this by a surer hand. A monstrous thank-you.

Jim Rutman at Sterling Lord Literistic: a flat-out mensch. His patience, thoroughness, commitment, brains, and complete and utter decency mark him as singular.

Mary Beth Hughes not only changed my life, but taught me how grace moves through the world.

The Great One.

Wyatt Mason possesses the finest mind I've ever known; moreover, he is the best friend I've ever had.

Crystal Bock, my sister, has been my partner in crime for as long as I can remember. She knows all the places in this novel, and many more than that.

Of course my wife, Diana Colbert, is the greatest fucking thing that ever happened to me. You make my life a joy.

Finally, my parents, Caryl and Howard Bock. For your unfathomable sacrifices, your never-ending love.

CHARLES BOCK was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has an MFA from Bennington College and has received fellowships from Yaddo, UCross, and the Vermont Studio Center. He lives in New York City. Visit his website at www.beautifulchildren.net.