Spectacle(107)
This novel is my third written, first sold. My writing roots therefore run deep, so a shout-out to the Absolute Write Water Cooler, the hub for writers before Twitter. In addition to the Purgatory thread regulars (you know who you are), I’d like to thank a few people I “met” there. Bruce Pollock, for taking a newbie writer under your wing back in the day and showing her what critique partners were all about. Donna Cummings, who supported the idea for this novel when it was little more than that, back in our Starbucks days. Libby Kontranowski, who was a best friend at first (virtual) sight. I appreciate your valuable feedback (especially on the romance side of things), your willingness to take the seat next to me on the writing coaster, and the fact that you also liked Golden Girls when we were ten. Rachel Mork, to whom Libby introduced me on AW; Rachel thought I was funny and wanted to connect. Flattery gets you everywhere with me, so Rachel, too, was a best friend at first sight. I’m grateful to Rachel for being in the query/submission/revision trenches with me, for keen input over more drafts and scenes than this wordsmith can count, and for supporting me in so many ways great and small.
I’d be remiss without a shout-out to my fellow Novel 19s, my fellow dreamcatchers. Here’s to our debuts. And Twitter: I appreciate everyone who interacts with me and supports me from afar, particularly Scott D., Don B., David K., and Karen F. To my Facebook family and friends, thank you for your support and enthusiasm in celebrating my authorial achievements.
Thank you to those who were my colleagues at The MacDuffie School when the offer came in (and to Jonathan B., who survived being in my office when I got the news). Special thanks to Dina L., office neighbor, listener to my publishing play-by-plays, and friend.
And now for family and friends, those who’ve been the closest witnesses to this writing life. To Jessica T., who couldn’t love this book more or be happier for me. You are a true friend and lucky charm. Thanks to Janice for the duration of this friendship (goes back to the ’40s, right?) and to Kate for rooting me on so sincerely. Thank you to John, who told me to just keep going and was with me the first time I set foot in Paris. I’m grateful to you for all our adventures.
My brother Kenny is in a multiway tie for #1 fan. Thank you for the brainstorming, for being proud, and for being such a big part of this. Thank you to David for bragging about your favorite (and only) sister and for the many laughs, in general. Thank you to Ursula, Julia, and Matthew as well for taking genuine joy in this accomplishment.
I’ve been blessed with incredible parents. Thank you to Ma and Dad for being everything a daughter needs her parents to be and for making me feel so very lucky throughout my life. I’m the person I am because of you, and I’m thankful for your support, life lessons, and unwavering confidence in me.
I’m also fortunate to have an amazing, brilliant partner. Thank you to Steve, for loving me, supporting me, being my creative collaborator, and having explanatory conversations with the cats when they get stressed about my lack of availability during revision periods. You’re an extension of my mind and heart, and I don’t know where I would be, where this book would be, or where my soul would be without you.
Thank you all, for everything. Time for more chocolate.
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For nonfiction works on the cultural history of Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, consider the following resources:
Budapest 1900: A Historical Portrait of a City and Its Culture by John Lukacs
Scenes of Parisian Modernity: Culture and Consumption in the Nineteenth Century by H. Hazel Hahn
Spectacular Realities: Early Mass Culture in Fin-de-Siècle Paris by Vanessa R. Schwartz
France, Fin de Siècle by Eugen Weber
Mesmerized: Powers of Mind in Victorian Britain by Alison Winter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JODIE LYNN ZDROK holds two MAs in European history and an MBA. In addition to being an author, she’s a marketing professional, a freelancer, and an unapologetic Boston sports fan. She enjoys traveling, being a foodie, doing sprint triathlons, and enabling cats. Spectacle is her debut. You can sign up for email updates here.