Belles is ultimately a story about family, and I couldn’t have created this series without my publishing one, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and the team at the Poppy imprint. Cindy Eagan, the original champion for Mira and Izzie, you may be gone, but your mark will never be forgotten. To my editor, Pam Gruber, who has deftly handled each and every turn in the Monroe/Scott landscape with a keen eye for detail and a big heart that loves these characters as much as I do. High fives also to Elizabeth Bewley, Ames O’ Neill, Kristina Aven, Christine Ma, Jodie Lowe, and Andrew Smith.
I’m so thankful to have Laura Dail and Tamar Rydzinski from the Laura Dail Literary Agency in my corner. Thanks for being my fiercest champions.
The YA community is a great family to have as well, and mine wouldn’t be complete without Elizabeth Eulberg, Kieran Scott, Sarah Mlynowski, Courtney Sheinmel, Joanna Philbin, and Julia DeVillers. Falling under the writing heading is also Mara Reinstein, a trusted friend and critical first reader (I need that!), and my awesome copartners in the Beach Bag Book Club: Larissa Simonovski, Kelly Rechsteiner, Jess Tymecki, and Pat Gleiberman.
None of this would even be possible without the readers, librarians, and bookstores that have been so kind to me and my books all these years. I’m forever grateful to all of you and to my family and friends for all their love and support.
Finally, a huge hug and kisses to the people I call my home: Tyler, Dylan, Captain Jack Sparrow (yes, the Chihuahua helps, too!), and Mike, who knows me all too well and pushes me to be bigger and better each and every day. Thanks for the nudge in the right direction.