There is a strangely deep sense of loss akin to grief when you come to the end of reading a book you love. Like me, Emilie and Annette experienced loss, and I often felt as though writing their journeys was writing mine—each fear, each triumph, and each push to do better tomorrow. Books were my constant companions before I found the people I call family, and the journeys I took on those pages shaped who I am today. I hope that Emilie and Annette are good traveling partners for readers on whatever journey they’re undertaking. We lose people in life, but we find them, too, whether in books or the real world.
I am immeasurably lucky to have found mine. None of this would have been possible without my husband, Brent. I cannot put into words how comforting it is to know someone who understands my creative process and motivations so well. Thank you so much for supporting my dreams even when they’re just a handful of characters with placeholder names and half of a concept.
Kerbie Addis is the best friend and writing partner a person could ask for, and I cannot thank her enough for all of the three-in-the-morning worldbuilding talks and rough draft readings. The thoughtful nuance and heart-lifting hilarity of Rosiee Thor’s advice kept me going even when writing seemed impossible.
My agent, Rachel Brooks, has made my career possible. I can’t imagine having gone on this publishing journey without you. Thank you, too, to the wonderful people at BookEnds Literary Agency.
As it always seems, I am in awe at how talented Annie Berger is as an editor, and I am so glad Emilie and Annette were in such capable hands. Nicole Hower and Billelis created a more beautiful cover for Belle Révolte than I could ever have imagined, and I’m so thankful for them. The Sourcebooks team is more home than publishing house. Thank you so much to Cassie Gutman, Sarah Kasman, Beth Oleniczak, and the talented editors, designers, and copy editors who made Belle Révolte into what it is today. Working with all of you is amazing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Ray Stoeve, Julie, and the brilliant readers who helped make sure Belle Révolte was a journey everyone could take.
And thank you to the countless readers, reviewers, booksellers, librarians, and bloggers around the world who make publishing possible, writing worth it, and reading a celebration of community and hope. I could never do this without you all.