Acknowledgments

The acknowledgments of a book are like the frosting of a cake—not necessary by dictionary definition standards, but in order to feel complete and be satisfying in the stomach it must happen. Every year I get older, but books stay the same; the same adventure, the same sense of wonder, the same joy of patient discovery over and over again until the mishmash threads become a sweater that can keep anyone who reads them very warm.

You cannot choose your family, but you can choose your friends, though somedays it feels like fate chose us for each other. GW, Shannel, Ana, Tyler, Diana, Amanda, Hayley, Ben, Krys, Bee, Rob, Xiran, Anchor—I love and appreciate all of you. Without you I’d be sad and lonely, and nothing is worse for art than a fundamentally despondent writer. You’ve always cheered me on, and I thank you for that.

To my lovely agent, Caitlin; I have never felt more supported and looked after than when I’m with you. You allow my creativity to not just fly but truly soar. I appreciate everything you’ve done and continue to do for me, and here’s to many more years of relationship.

My editor Stacy has tolerated me for far too long, and for that she deserves a raise and a trip somewhere very relaxing, preferably with zero controlling writers whatsoever. Thank you for believing in me when few else do and handing me chance after chance. I hope, when this book is published, it does our relationship and your patience justice.

To the entire Red Tower team—Liz, Hannah, Meredith, Ashley, Molly, Rae, Britt, Heather, Curtis, the wonderful graphic and cover artist Elizabeth, a million thank-yous. Thanks also to Ronkwahrhakónha Dube for your thoughtful insight. A book is a machine with so many parts, and while I cough them up, it’s you who truly put them together in working order. You are dreammakers, and I hope wherever life takes you, it’s somewhere befitting your vision and drive. Thank you.

To the reader; you silly little thing, this is the ingredients list of a book—why are you still reading? Go rest your eyes, maybe touch some grass. In all seriousness, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading. Whether you loved or hated Synali’s story, I hope you learned something about yourself from it. All books are mirrors, and I hope you found what you were looking for in this one. Be safe. Be well. Be free.

In gratitude,

Sara Wolf