AN AUTHOR IS ONLY ONE SMALL PART OF THE PROCESS involved in creating a book, and there are a lot of people who deserve my unending gratitude. To my incredible agent, Jodi Reamer; where in the world would I be without you? To Tara Weikum, my editor; I am convinced there is no one else who could have molded this book more perfectly than you. Huge thanks for Erica Sussman’s continued assistance; I appreciate you sticking with me. Thanks to Tara’s assistant, Jocelyn Davies, whose bright smile and helpfulness are so noticed and appreciated. The entire team at Harper has been beyond extraordinary. A special thanks to Melissa Dittmar, Liz Frew, Cristina Gilbert, Andrea Pappenheimer, and Dina Sherman, who all went out of their way to make me feel welcome. And to Laura Kaplan, for all the work she’s already done, and the mountain of work she’ll do in the future. Harper is truly the place to be.
Where would I be without old friends who have been with me from the beginning? Thanks to David McAfee, Pat Wood, Michelle Zink, and John Zakour, all of whom believed in me more than I ever believed in myself. Stephenie, you have opened so many doors for me; I will always be grateful. Thanks. And, of course, new friends—Sarah Rees Brennan, Saundra Mitchell, and Carrie Ryan, plus the rest of the incredible Debs at www.feastofawesome.com. You are all awesome like whoa. A huge thank-you to my incredible fiction instructor at LC—as well as fellow author—Claire Davis; the foundation of my writing skills I owe to you. A special shout-out to the Carson girls, Hannah, Emma, and Bethany, for being my betas. You guys are priceless!
Finally, to my amazing family, who also head up my fan club. Duane, Trina, Kara, Richard, Emily, Corbett—thanks. To my awesome kids, Audrey, Brennan, and Gideon, who are miraculously low maintenance, and even when they aren’t, are the sunshine of my life. And more than anyone else, thank you, Kenny. Without you, none of this would have been possible.