1) 7 years ago, @rgay was the visiting writer in my PhD in CW program. I felt out of place there, as I& #39;d actually been waitlisted, then let in on a Hail Mary after someone else dropped out. I was also very freshly divorced from an abusive man and raising a kid by myself.

2) The night of Roxane& #39;s reading, Dinty ( @brevitymag ) took me aside and said, "At dinner, Roxane said & #39;That Kelly can really write!& #39;" My self-esteem was so low at the time that I assumed he was talking about the other Kelly in the program.

3) I had a conference with Roxane about my very, very rough essay at the time, and she gave me some critical feedback and told me to send it to her when I was finished. I did, and she published it. https://pankmagazine.com/piece/sharp-point-middle/">https://pankmagazine.com/piece/sha...

4) Roxane and I became FB friends, and she occasionally commented on stuff. When my book was nearing release, I emailed and asked her if I could send her a copy. She said yes, then she gave it the best ever Goodreads review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2223624719?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1">https://www.goodreads.com/review/sh...