Estelle Hallick, thank you for being on board since Day 1, and for all you’ve done to share this book with the world.
I am so fortunate and grateful to get to work with the talented Forever team, including Sam Brody, Daniela Medina, Carolyn Kurek, and copy editor Elizabeth Johnson.
Kate Sweeney, Annie Sklaver-Orenstein, Bridget Maloney-Sinclair, Joy Engel, Gwen Mesco, Eirene Donahue, Emily Barth Isler, and Tanya Doyle-Gradet all read various drafts of this book. Thank you for your notes, feedback, catches （I’m looking at you, Gwen!）， and cheerleading. It means the world to me.
Heather Lazare’s editorial prowess helped shape this book significantly.
Kristin Dwyer has been a guiding light throughout this process. Laine Hammer shared invaluable insight that allowed me to craft Franny’s life experiences in a more authentic way.
Doree Shafrir, thank you for reading a draft of this book and lovingly assuring panicked ol’ me that it did, actually, make sense. You are a wonderful business partner and friend and I will happily answer the “What do you like best about Doree?” question until the end of time.
Samee Junio, Sam Reed, Sara Robillard—thank you for all you do to keep our podcast operation up and running, especially during all the book deadlines.
To the entire Forever35 community of listeners: You all are the literal best. You feel like family to me, and I’m so grateful for all the love you’ve shown me during this process.
Thank you to The Pile for being there, always, and to Write! Write! Write! for your support and generosity every time I came to you with a question or worry. I couldn’t have finished this book without you.
This book would not have been written without the music of Phoebe Bridgers and Katie Crutchfield getting me through endless revisions. The gift that musicians give to stressed-out writers on deadlines is incomparable, and I am grateful.
Thanks to Phish, just because.
To my wonderful extended family of Spencers, Brightons, and Kings—I really lucked out in the family department. Thanks for always cheering me on.
The bond between Franny, Lola, and Cleo is modeled after the many endlessly loving and relentlessly supportive friends I am so lucky to have. Roommate, Biggie, Little One, Goober, Rocky, and Ater—you have especially kept me afloat through the hardest times. All my best laughs are with you.
Teresa Christiansen and Sarah Plimpton, this book would not exist without you and all the memories we made together. Sister Liberty forever.
Eleanor and Lydia King, you make my world go round. I love you more than everything bagels with scallion cream cheese and sliced cucumbers and tomatoes.
Anthony King, you’ve been there for me unconditionally since the day you asked me to go out to dinner at a ridiculous German restaurant on the East Side. I’m so glad I said yes.
And to the entire living, breathing, pulsating city of New York: I would be nothing without you. You are impossible to live in and impossible to live without. I will love you forever.
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About the Author
Kate Spencer is an author, journalist, and cohost of the podcast Forever35. Her memoir, The Dead Moms Club, was published by Seal Press in 2017. She lives with her husband and two kids in Los Angeles.