Gail Kathleen Godwin (born June 18, 1937 [1] ) is an American novelist and short story writer. She has published one non-fiction work, two collections of short stories, and eleven novels, three of which have been nominated for the National Book Award...

One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are. Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths pure theatre. You are educated when you have the ability to listen to almost anything...