Lisa Lutz - Curse of the Spellmans

I t goes without saying that I think my editor, Marysue Rucci, and my agent, Stephanie Kip Rostan, are brilliant, fantasticinsert any glowing adjective. In fact, if you are shopping around a manuscript, you must mail each of them a copy right away.

I think Ill begin with the more professional thank yous. At S&S: Where to begin? I love you all. Should I ever get any pets, I shall name them Simon and Schuster. Carolyn Reidy, your support of the Spellman books is invaluable. Thank you so much. David Rosenthal, you rock. I wish I had a recording of that wonderful toast you gave over dinner that night. Im sure you dont remember it because you were drinking heavily. Thanks again for dinner, Marysue. Oscar-worthy. Also, at S&S, Leah Wasielewski, Aileen Boyle, Deb Darrock, Michael Selleck; my seriously overworked production editor, Jonathan Evans; and a very special thank you to my extremely hard-working and dedicated publicistsKelly Welsh, Tracey Guest, Deirdre Mueller, and Nicole de Jackmo.

And now I must thank all the wonderful people at the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency (this is a full service agencyrestaurant /theatre recommendations, articles of interest forwarded, along with impeccable career advice): Daniel Greenberg, Jim Levine, Elizabeth Fisher, Melissa Rowland, Monika Verma, Miek Coccia (his first name is pronounced just like Mikedont ask), Sasha Raskin, and Lindsay Edgecombe. It is always a pleasure working with you all and I love my visits to your office, since they typically involve cake.

Now the slightly less professional thank yous:

Id like to give a shout out to the Rucci clan. Debbie and Joe Rucci, thanks so much for showing up at my event. My actorsTed and Joshyou guys were great. Ted, Im hoping to book you for next year. Dave Rucci, sorry you couldnt make it. Joe Rucci, thanks for coming up with the titles for the Spellman sequels. If Im being honest, Im pretty sure that I should credit Marysue, but if shes willing to share the recognition, thats between the two of you.

This is where I really think you (being someone not personally acquainted with me) should stop reading:

William Lorton, thank you for hiding the gun. I promise Ill take it off your hands one of these days. Thanks Dan Fienberg, my cousin and financial advisor. (We had this deal that Id mention him in the acks if he read my first book before I finished writing this one.) I actually won the race, but it was close and Im nothing if not generous. Plus, he really is an excellent financial advisor.

Anastasia Fuller, thanks for always reading the first draft of everything, designing my Web site (with Jay), and taking care of some of my travel arrangements and helping me pack for my trip to New York. (Although I will never ask you to help me pack again because you were way too efficient. There was that embarrassing moment when I realized I couldnt repack my luggage and had to have Nicoleaforementioned publicistmail things back to me). Thanks Nicole.

Thanks to Ashleigh Mitchell and Jill Ableson for keeping me together or putting me back together. I cant tell the difference sometimes.

The following acknowledgements are purely book-tour related.

My mom, Sharlene Lauretz, thanks for letting me crash or at least leave all my stuff at your house, lending me money (not because I ran out, but because there was no time for the bank), and not complaining as I made a giant pest of myself.

I think its important now to thank all the people who let me do laundry at their home. Thanks Aunt Bev and Uncle Mark, Julie Ulmer and Steve Alves (I should thank you for a lot more than laundry, but you know), and Lori Fienberg. While Im on the subject of laundry, Id like to mention to the hotels out there that, when one is on a book tour (and Im sure other business travel applies as well), laundry becomes a big deal and I shouldnt have to pay close to $100 to have half a load of laundry done. And I should never have my socks returned to me on a hanger. Thats ridiculous. I totally get jacking up the price on the minibar. If you want to charge me six bucks for M&Ms, fine. But clean clothes shouldnt be considered a luxury. I really think this part of the hotel business needs to be rethought.

And now for the miscellaneous thank yous:

Morgan Dox and Steve Kim, thanks for all sorts of things. I dont know where to begin or end. Rae, Im going to need to borrow your name for just a few more years. Then you can have it back. Peter Kim and Carol Young, thanks for driving me around for three hours or so hunting for my motel. I would like to note that it was precisely where I said it was and you refused to believe me. But under the circumstances, I dont blame you. I also appreciate all your travel-related advice. And congratulations! Kate Golden, thanks for always being on the ready to proof things and help me unpack. David and Cyndi Klane, thanks again for all your supportas performers, proofreaders, and, most importantly, friends. My Aunt Eve and Uncle Jeff Golden, thank you again for all sorts of things, but Uncle Jeff, please dont buy me rugula ever again. Youre like a drug dealer, just with pastries.

Once again, Id like to thank all the folks from Desvernine Associates for showing up at as many events as possible and being incredibly supportive: Graham Des Desvernine, Pamela Desvernine, Pierre Merkl, Debra Crofoot Meisner, and Yvonne Prentiss. I have a qualified thank you for Gretchenyou read drafts, you help me performbut every time Ive hung out with you on the book tour, Ive had a nasty hangover and then had to fly across the country the next day. Im not blaming you, Im just saying

And Id like to thank Google Translate for allowing me to communicate in French: Pour Charlie: Pue importe o je suis ni o vous tes, je pense que vous tes toujours moutarde.

Lastly: When people ask me if my characters are modeled after anyone I know, I usually say no and thats the truth. However, Mort Schilling shares many traits with my grandpa Milton Golden. Grandpa Milt wasnt a defense attorney, but a paint company executive. No matter what, the temperature of his coffee was wrong and he had no problems asking for assistance. I think he would have liked this bookif I removed all the swear words.

The Spellman Files