Getting here took a lot of help, but I’m glad it did, because the real book was the people I met along the way.
First, thank you, reader, for spending your time with these pages and for taking a chance on a debut. I appreciate you very much.
To my incredible agents, Melanie Figueroa and Taylor Haggerty, for helping make my dream come true. Thank you for your infectious enthusiasm, passion, and guidance from the first call. Working with you is both magical and a pleasure. Special thanks to Jasmine Brown, Stacy Jenson, Holly Root, and everyone in the Root Lit Fam, including my talented and welcoming agent siblings.
To my foreign rights agent, Heather Baror-Shapiro, and everyone behind the scenes at Baror International. To my film agent, Alice Lawson, and to Olivia Handrahan, Eren Joyce, and everyone behind the scenes at Gersh. You are all amazing!
To Julia Elliott, thank you for loving this book from the start and never once making me doubt that, for your keen insight every step of the way, and for being an incredible editor and champion. Thanks to everyone at William Morrow, including Rachel Berquist, Jes Lyons, Kaitlin Harri, Eliza Rosenberry, Jessica Williams, Emily Krump, Jennifer Hart, Liate Stehlik, Leah Carlson-Stanisic, Michelle Meredith, and Kerry Rubenstein. Thanks to everyone else behind the scenes for your very valuable work.
In the UK, thank you to Amy Perkins for your incredible enthusiasm toward me and this book. Thank you to the team at the Borough Press, including Emilie Chambeyron, Emily Merrill, Sophie Waeland, Bethan Moore, and Harriet Williams. Also Simeon Greenway, for the cutest cover. Thanks also to Carla Josephson.
To Julia McDowell, for your incredible insights, brainstorms, enthusiasm, and guidance, and to Iris Tupholme, Jennifer Lambert, Michael Guy-Haddock, Cory Beatty, and everyone else at Harper Canada for championing my book at home.
To Jesse Q. Sutanto and Grace Shim. You went above and beyond as mentors and became true friends. It’s a wonder how kind and giving people can be. Thank you for inspiring me, helping me, and seeing the potential. Thanks also for the DM screams, for sharing so much of yourselves, and for being all around delightful.
To my critique partners, Ashlyn Cramer and Kira Quan, for your valuable perspective. It’s been so satisfying seeing our projects evolve. I love our team! To anyone who shared any group chat or server with me where we met through writing but truly came together to share disturbing content and gossip—that’s been one of my favorite parts since pursuing this. To my fellow talented mentees and everyone at Pitchwars and AMM, thank you for all you did and the programs you provided that helped so many. I will always be grateful to Dana Mele and Aimee Salter, for seeing potential in my earlier writing. To my fellow 2024 debuts, thanks for being such a genuinely supportive group as we navigate publishing. Also, for your incredible books.
To the writing community at large, thanks for sharing so much info and encouragement. Special thanks to Leah Jordain for about a trillion things, but especially for encouraging me to pursue this project at just the right time.
Over the years of querying and through my journey to debuting, I’ve had the pleasure of crossing paths with wonderful people in the industry. To anyone I’ve met with, anyone who offered feedback, or anyone who guided me: I remember every kindness and kind word. Sincerely, thank you for your time and consideration.
To the miscellaneous weirdos (affectionate) who I worked with at an office some time ago, thank you. Special thanks to Cassandra Madsen and William Tran.
Thanks to my amazing supportive extended family and friends. There are too many to name as I’m very lucky despite myself. If we’ve ever shared a meal or adventure, I mean you. Special thanks to Emery Eden for the support (and the Warhammer help).
To the people of Iran, to those who lost their lives and those who continue to fight for freedom: you are the definition of bravery. I hope there comes a time when you don’t need to be brave, and you are able to follow the dreams that everyone deserves to have.
To Christina, thank you for being the best sister. Your support has been a constant in life, so much so that I’m used to it. Thank you for never making me have to be not used to it.
Mom and Dad, thank you for everything. You gave me more and have done more than I could ever sufficiently thank you for, and you still do. Also, for basically being a personal catering service at times and being the best grandparents. Thanks for handselling to extended family and friends, and for all the material both of your actions provide in general.
To Ken, thank you for all the ways you’ve supported me in this pursuit and in life. It takes a special person to support a writer. For your undying belief and for treating it as an inevitability. For saying it’s probably funny before hearing it. I save my worst jokes for you.
To Vada, it’s a privilege and joy to witness the world through someone as smart, interested, and funny as you. I wouldn’t have written this book without you the most.