Acknowledgments

 

Historical events are a great way to reflect and talk about issues that we face today. There’s a reason the saying “history repeats itself” is so well-known. The witch trials in the American colonies, including those in Connecticut and Salem, Massachusetts, mark a dark time. While not pleasant to think about, I believe it’s important to learn about history and more importantly learn from history. Bullying and depression are also not pleasant topics to think about but important ones to talk about. My hope for any young readers who can relate to Liza’s struggles is that you seek out help if needed. Please keep showing up each day in whatever way you can.

 

Though Liza’s ancestor Elizabeth Treat is not based on any real person, I drew on history to shape her story. Information and inspiration came from History of Milford, Connecticut 1639-1939 by the Federal Writer’s Project for the State of Connecticut and the Milford, Connecticut Tercentenary Committee; Connecticut Witch Trials: The First Panic in the New World by Cynthia Wolfe Boynton; Witches: The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer; Entertaining Satan: Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England by John Demos; and Tarot: Your Everyday Guide: Practical Problem Solving and Everyday Advice by Janina Renee. Pam Grossman’s book Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power and podcast The Witch Wave offered me insightful reflections on modern witches and what it means to be a witch in today’s complicated world, all of which helped shape Liza’s story.

 

Early readers are such an important part of being an indie author. Special thanks to Debby Carroll, Katlyn Duncan, and Kai Strand for their feedback. An extra special thanks to Dylan for his expert advice on this story, particularly on buzzes, bobs, and bursting into flames.

 

As always, thank you to my personal cheering section of Batman, The Boy, The Prince, and The Gentleman. You brighten and broaden my horizons in ways I could never have imagined!