Conquistadora - Esmeralda Santiago [208]
Silvia Matute, my Spanish editor, por su apoyo y amistad.
Members of my writing group—Ben Cheever, Kate Buford, Marilyn Johnson, Larkin Warren, and Terry Bazes—have heard passages from various drafts during our inspiring meetings. Marilyn has generously postponed her own work to read drafts and to offer discerning suggestions.
John and Susan Scofield have held my hand during difficult times, have made me meals, have understood, valued, and respected the rhythms of my life and work.
Alan and Janis Menken whisked me away to their beautiful Serena when I needed a break, space, and time to polish the last draft.
Jaime Manrique, Nina Torres Vidal, and Carmen Dolores Hernández found ways for me to improve, clarify, correct, and enhance the novel. Their close reads have been invaluable.
My sister Norma and her husband, Mario Zapata, lent me their beachfront apartment during the final stages of the writing. Norma died before she could read the pages created on her porch, but her love, laughter, opinions, and sisterly kindnesses continue to enrich my life.
A NOTE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Esmeralda Santiago is the author of the memoirs When I Was Puerto Rican, Almost a Woman, which she adapted into a Peabody Award–winning film for PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, and The Turkish Lover; the novel América’s Dream; and a children’s book, A Doll for Navidades. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and House & Garden, among other publications, and on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she currently lives in New York.