As Sweet as Honey

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS



This novel began in a green-tinted notebook presented to me by three kind graduate students from Southampton College in 2001. It is a pleasure to thank them and to thank the Paden Institute for Writers of Color and the Fine Arts Work Center’s Long Term Residency Program for support during the writing of this book.

Thank you to Rosemary Marangoly George, who read, scolded, and encouraged; Rachel Harding, who cheered on; and Lillias Bever, who kept up the conversation.

Thank you to Caitriona Barclay, who gave me permission to fabricate a love story.

Thank you to Diane Cooper, Ani Kalfayan, Florence Ladd, Maureen Clyne, Scott Hamashige, Naomi Horii, Bhanu Kapil, Willow King, Emily Wilson and Joy Wallin, Karen Tei Yamashita, Brian Kiteley, Carole Maso, Vicky Tomayko, Harini Subramanian, Agnes Chouchan, Megan Smith, Chris and Michelle Hogas, Jeffrey Green, Michelle Ryan and Dean Chapla, Quincy Troupe, Henry and Arlene Geller, and the Ashtanga Project for support, advice, inspiration, and good cheer.

Johnny Jenkins and Chris, Danielle, and Nina of the Laughing Goat provided sweet welcomes and fine cappuccinos no matter my mood; and Marcia Douglas always offered wise guidance and deep support of my work.

Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor, and all of the teachers at the Yoga Workshop, gave me solace and strength, and I would not have made it through a dark year without them, nor the light ones before and after.

I owe much to Southampton and Sag Harbor, Long Island, where friends, students, and colleagues supplied coffee, Sunday dinners, and over-the-counter wisdom, especially Lisa Bonsal; Kathryn and MaryAnn; Jeanelle and Terry; and Doug and Bessim.

I owe much to my colleagues and students at Naropa University.

I owe much to Boulder, where I found great neighbors, a wonderful farmers’ market, and made lasting friends.

Thank you to my Nineteenth Street neighbors, Amanda Rankins-Stark, Ben Holland, Ben Oliver, Niko Wojczuk, Brigitte and Tom, David and Pamela, and Jack and Jenny.

Thomas Crown, Katie Heath, Luke Iwabuchi, Megan O’Brien, and Sue Zemka gave hugs and words sorely needed.

At the eleventh hour, both Andrew Wille and Dennis Mathis provided comments and notes for which I will always be grateful.

Thank you to Emi Ikkanda, who asked good questions.

Thank you, Andrea Cavallaro.

Thank you to Elise Capron who enthusiastically and consistently sent e-mails and e-vitamins.

I am always deeply grateful for the presence of Ann Close and Sandy Dijkstra in my life.

Thank you to everyone at Knopf, including my exceptional copyeditor, Patrick Dillon; Caroline Zancan; and Chris Silas Neal.

My parents, Subashree and Shankar, Shreyas and Meena, and my extended family as always provide love.

Finally, I would not have finished this book without the generosity and love of Anashua Sinha and Shridar Ganesan. They believed in the work and gave me time, space, and compassion.