by Sarah Fine
To Leslie “Lam” Miller, my developmental editor: you have spoiled me rotten. Thank you for carving out the time to work with me on this book, and for the honesty, encouragement, questioning, and “benevolent butchery” that made it better. And once again, thank you to Elizabeth Johnson, my copyeditor, for patiently fixing all my little writing foibles—and for letting me know that, despite them, the story touched you.
My agent, Kathleen Ortiz, has been an unparalleled partner in this journey. It’s been over four years, lady, and a dozen books, with no end in sight. Thank you. This time around, Danielle Barthel and Joanna Volpe filled in all the gaps and held me together during some critical times. More thanks goes to the rest of the New Leaf team, including Jaida Temperly, Jess Dallow, Suzie Townsend, Dave Caccavo, and Pouya Shahbazian. You guys are simply awesome.
To my dear friends Lydia Kang and Brigid Kemmerer: whether I’m ecstatic or in despair, I know you’ll be there to share it with me. Your wisdom and empathy have kept me going on days when it has felt like the fabric of my own life was unraveling; your beautiful, intense stories have made the rest of the world drop away right when I needed it to; and your keen eyes and astute feedback have steered me in the right direction every time. I am so lucky to have you.
I am fortunate to have colleagues who make this double life I lead not only tolerable but fun. Catherine, your wit and warmth makes me look forward to work. And to the rest of the CCBS leadership team—Chris, Casey, Kristal, Bethany, and Erica—you are inspiring. I am so proud of you, and so thankful for the work we’ve done together.
Paul, I could not ask for a better mentor or friend. Thank you for everything. And more gratitude to Liz, for offering your friendship and your home as a refuge, and to Jim, for unwavering support.
To my parents: thank you for your faith in me and your unconditional love. To my children: you are my loves. Thank you for being your adorable selves.
And to my readers: thank you for coming on this ride with me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © Rebecca Skinner
Sarah Fine is a clinical psychologist and the author of the Guards of the Shadowlands series—Sanctum, Fractured, and Chaos—as well as other young adult novels. She was born on the West Coast, raised in the Midwest, and is now firmly entrenched on the East Coast.
