Elizabeth the First Wife (45 page)

My writing teacher, Erika Mailman at
mediabistro.com
, and my fellow classmates, who helped me to shape the book from page one, including Jenny Williams, Sharon Jessup Joyce, Nicola Ruiz, Ann Turnicky, and Julie Flakstad. Every writer needs a gut-check group.

My name donors, Mary Pat Brandmeyer and Bumble Ward. Now that I've stolen your names for posterity, we should become better friends. Thank you for loaning me your monikers.

My hometown and the many Pasadena locals who have embraced my work with grace and good humor, allowing me into their homes, book groups, and previously unattainable private clubs. Special thanks to Larry Wilson, Patt Diroll, and Charlie Plowman of Pasadena's fourth estate.

My own Pasadena Posse of friends who have supported me through my writing and so much more in the last year, especially Ryan Newman, Susan Pai, Sally Mann, and Danielle Waldschmidt-Gay. Plus the many excellent friends from afar who've cheered me on, including Alyssa Isreal, Andrew Ferren, Chris Connor, and my fellow Sagehens.

My readers, listeners, and the online community of the Satellite Sisterhood and the Chaos Crew, who keep me motivated and connected. Thank you for supporting my work, posting funny pictures of your dogs, and listening to the show. Who says virtual friends aren't real?

My brothers and sisters and my entire extended family. It was an extraordinary year in which we lost both our parents but never our sense of humor. Remember the family motto: Stay low and brace for impact.

Finally to my boys: my husband, Berick Treidler, and my sons, Brookes and Colin. You're the best.

Lian Dolan

Pasadena

February, 2013

Lian Dolan is a writer and broadcaster. Her first novel,
Helen of Pasadena
, was on the
Los Angeles Times
bestseller list for more than a year and was nominated for Best Fiction by the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association. In addition, she's written for TV, radio, and magazines, including regular columns in
O, The Oprah Magazine, Working Mother
, and
Oprah.com
. She is the co-creator and host of the Gracie Award–winning radio show Satellite Sisters, now a podcast and blog. Her musings about modern motherhood are found on the podcast and blog called
The Chaos Chronicles
, which was developed for TV by Nickelodeon.

Lian graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Classics. A Connecticut native, she now lives in Pasadena, California with her husband and two sons.