Every writer needs a muse to sneak through castles and get lost in Paris with. I couldn’t have sent this book out into the world without mine, Julianne Vangelakos. When’s our next inspirational trip?
A special shout-out to Lee Ellen Strawn for her expertise in Korean history and Jean Wood for answering my bizarre texts about Korean words. Any mistakes are completely mine. And to Larissa Hardesty and Tara Gallina for writerly lunches, last-minute reads, and get-togethers. A necessity for a writer’s survival.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my black belt of an agent, Jeff Ourvan, who outwitted those secret agents in Vladivostok and secured a home for Gilded after “sailing solo across the Atlantic, swimming the English Channel, being taken captive by terrorists, and barely escaping with his life.” Jeff, you rock.
Thanks to my editor, Miriam Juskowicz, for falling in love with Jae’s story from the very beginning and becoming its champion. From your first e-mail, I knew you were the perfect editor for me, and after chatting over Starbucks coffee and sharing our love for books, I knew Gilded was in good hands.
I cannot forget to thank Timoney Korbar for all of her marketing efforts, to Katrina Damkoehler for developing the cover for my little book, and Deborah Bass for all her endeavors in public relations to make Gilded a success. To Andrea Curley, my genius of a copyeditor, and Natalie Mortensen, my proofreader, for spotting all those details. I’m also so honored to have Chanwoo Park, head of the English translation program for Literature Translation Institute of Korea, read for Korean inconsistencies.
I firmly believe that behind every good writer are brilliant critique partners. I’m a lucky, lucky girl to have worked with these Brilliant Ones. A million hugs to Beth Revis, for reading multiple drafts and tirelessly believing in Gilded when I wanted to give up. Gilded wouldn’t be on the shelves if it wasn’t for you. Someday we’re going to watch Scooby Doo, eat ice cream, and laugh our heads off. To Casey McCormick for those weekly check-ins and complete honesty through each draft. I am eternally thankful to Ellen Oh for your insights (especially in all things Korean) and unwavering support. To the MiGs, who have a multitude of superpowers and are always an e-mail away: Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Andrea Mack, Kate Fall, Carmella VanVleet, and Susan Laidlaw.
How can I not thank my two Jedi knights, Caleb and Luke, for listening to me read scenes and guarding my plot secrets? I love you to the farthest star and back.
Finally, to the love of my life, Doug Farley. For believing and loving me no matter what. You make all my dreams come true.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © Liga Photography
CHRISTINA FARLEY was born and raised in upstate New York. As a child, she loved to explore, which later inspired her to jump on a plane and travel the world. She taught at international schools in Asia for ten years, eight of which were in the mysterious and beautiful city of Seoul, Korea that became the setting of Gilded. Currently she lives in Clermont, Florida, with her husband and two sons—that is until the travel itch whisks her off to a new unknown. Gilded is her first novel.