Gunn's Golden Rules

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THIS BOOK WOULD NEVER have happened without the encouragement and support of a number of critical individuals. To begin, I am grateful to my agent, Jonathan Swaden of CAA, for introducing me to Peter Steinberg of the Steinberg Agency, who became my book agent. Peter has been and continues to be a boulder of support and an unflagging cheerleader. Peter helped me refine the concept of the book and, in turn, he presented a précis to several publishing houses. Patrick Price at Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books possessed such contagious enthusiasm for the book that I was instantly smitten with the imprint.

While I take great pride in authorship, Peter and Patrick understood that I would need a partner in this endeavor and, ideally, a partner who could bring to the project qualities and characteristics that I don’t and won’t possess. Specifically, I was looking for an individual of another gender and a younger generation. They introduced me to the divine Ada Calhoun. Without Ada, this book would have never materialized, literally. She was my conscience, my truth teller, my spiritual leader, and always a calm port. At a critical juncture, I gave Ada—and Peter and Patrick—plenty of reasons for why I felt the need to abandon the book. Those reasons were many—too much work, too many moving parts in my life, too many competing pressures from things that I hadto do rather than what I may wantto do. Fortunately, these three key friends and allies were intractable and resolute. The book must go on!I am forever grateful to them and merely hope that we have another opportunity to work together.

Finally, I must thank my family, especially my mother (god willing, she won’t read this book, because it may kill her) and sister. And I must acknowledge all the people in my life who unknowingly provided so much of the content of this book. Thank you!