Bash’s story wouldn’t be the same without the stunning work of artist, and friend, Wesley Berg. Thank you for bringing the final vision to life and for letting me whine (for years) about the ebbs and flows of this writing journey. Of course we might not have crossed paths if it weren’t for Susie Stein and the whole Up and Running team. Thank you for (lovingly) forcing me out of a job so I could stay home and write. Everyone at UAR taught me a lot about myself that I couldn’t have found elsewhere. I heart you all. Now buy my books in mass quantities, please.
A monumental thank you goes to my betas, and friends, Patty Blount, for being a continual source of support, and to Kate Walton for introducing me to the agent who would sell this book, and for never doubting my abilities. You’re both my author angels, no doubt employed by Gram somehow.
I’d like to give a special thanks to Dan Lazar at Writer’s House for your invaluable insight on an early draft of Birdie & Bash. You didn’t have to, and you did anyway.
Jeff Rivera, you truly are my fairy godmother. Thank you for going above and beyond in more ways than one. I wouldn’t be where I am without the opportunities, encouragement, and bling, you’ve provided.
An infinite amount of hugs to all the friends I’ve made blogging, particularly (and forgive me if I miss you): TIMMY (aka Matthew Rush), Robin Lucas, Joshua Cartens, Jennifer Hiller, Jen Daiker, Tawna Fenske, Kelly Polark, Elana Johnson, Sheri Larson, Bryan Russell, Rose Cooper, Lydia Kang, Ricki Shultz, and countless others, who’ve been there from day one. You know how weird Candyland can be and you love me anyway.
This voyage wouldn’t also surge onward without thanks to Dan Mandel, Stefanie Diaz, and the entire Greenburger Associates crew, as well as Joanna Volpe and everyone at New Leaf, and Jackie Lindert, for weathering the storms with me. Additionally, thank you to Brent Taylor at Triada, for being an amazing cheering section thoughout the year.
I’d like to thank my biological father, Matt, who I never had the chance to know, but feel he’s part of everything I do, my therapy cat, Feathers, for calming my writing nerves—meow, meow (thank you)—and the staff at Winan’s for providing my daily writing fuel. I legit could not function without those Milky Way lattes. #truth
The lyrics, although somewhat altered, are thanks to Brent Smith and Shinedown. You write things most of us feel, and I appreciate you. Also, thank you, Steven Tyler, because I’ve loved you since my first Aero concert in elementary school and without “Dream On,” I’d have no anthem to live by.
Last but definitely not least, I want to thank my amazing, wonderful, phenomenal (insert all the adjectives) husband, Erik, for nourishing my every writing whim and dream. It would’ve been a desolate, somewhat quieter, road without you! You’ve breathed life into me more times than I can count and a hundred pages of gratitude wouldn’t be nearly enough. Thank you for providing for us while I’ve pursued my passion, sharing your life with me for the last thirteen years (and counting), and for pushing me when I didn’t think I could survive another failure. You are now, and will forever be, my platypus.
Also, to my two beautiful children, Lilliana Hope and Sullivan Matthew—my most successful collisions yet. You are the stimuli from which I pull my greatest inspirations. Thank you for making me feel more important than I probably am, more beautiful than I often feel, and more loved than I ever thought possible. This book, and every one hereafter, is for you, always.
If I’ve missed you, please accept my deepest thanks, from the bottom of my heart.
May you never lose your light (or whatever).
About the Author
CANDACE GANGER is a contributing writer for Romper, Hello Giggles, TWLOHA, and Teen Vogue, among others, and she is an obsessive marathoner. Aside from having past lives as a singer, nanotechnology website editor, and world’s worst vacuum sales rep, she’s also ghostwritten hundreds of projects for companies, bestselling fiction and award-winning nonfiction authors alike. Candace—aka Candyland—has a severe Milky Way latte addiction and eats way too many donuts/doughnuts (but all things in excess, amiright?) FYI: She’s TOTALLY awkward in person (#sorrynotsorry). She lives in Ohio with her family. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
BASH
Birdie
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE INEVITABLE COLLISION OF BIRDIE & BASH. Copyright © 2017 by Candace Ganger. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Illustration by Wesley Berg
Cover design by Kerri Resnick
Cover photographs: girl skates © Annykos/iStock; skates and retro socks © Annykos/Shutterstock.com
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-11622-2 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-250-11623-9 (e-book)
eISBN 9781250116239
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
First Edition: July 2017
The Inevitable Collision of Birdie & Bash Page 29
