Acknowledgements

Unprepared.

I’ve used that word a lot lately. I was unprepared for how hard it would be to turn a pile of words into a book. I was unprepared for how scary it would be to hand over that book baby to the team that will help it enter the world. And I am unprepared for the overwhelming gratitude I feel for EVERYONE who has made this possible (especially those of you that I will inevitably forget in these paragraphs).

First, I want to thank Abby. My first “fan.” You were the first person to make me feel—truly, deeply feel—like an author. I can never thank you enough for that gift.

My family has had so much practice upholding my crazy dreams. Mom, thank you for being my first true love. Dad, thank you for teaching me that aspirations are worth protecting. Clint, my weasel. Thank you for being so unapologetically enthusiastic right along with me. John, LaDonna, Thomas, Lawson, Grams, Art, and Mama Macke, I can’t think of a day or a moment in my life that I didn’t feel encouraged and uplifted by each of you. I am so grateful.

I am so humbled to have the most beautiful, wonderful best friends who make me better every day. Megan, you held my hand through every single step of the publishing process. I would have collapsed into a puddle of stress without your DAILY support.

Missy, my fellow mental health warrior, I am so glad I forced my friendship upon you. I’m all the better for it. Lola, my other half, my sister across the sea. Besos for always. AWWA-TIH. Jess, thank you for reading my first words, for dancing to ’90s jams with me, and for sharing your gorgeous artwork with every reader of this book.

To my most faithful critique partner, Annie, you helped shape this story before it was even a story. Every time you read (and re-read) this story, I fell further into CP Love with you. You are an incredible teacher and friend. Also, huge thanks to Suzanne and Crystal for the early encouragement and critique.

Publishing is, in a word, CRAZYPANTS. Endless love to my darlings, my other sisterwives: Angi and Sarah B. And also to my sweetests, Tameka, Rachel G., Jessica L., Simon C., Dahlia, Mario, Febe, Smash, Katie (my Twinner), Summer, Hay, Emily H., Sarah G., Erin T., Alex T., Mikey, Jurassica, Jenn N., Candice, Mark O., and Jaye.

I have to thank my early readers (here’s where I pray that I kept good notes): Jessica N., Dahlia, Mel S., Christine, Kari, Rachel S., Andrea H., Jennie, Jen (my Rev), Lola, Leah S., Marieke, Jacki, Sarah G., Mandy, Katie, Missy, Emily H., Rachel G., Ashley W., Jessica L., and Megan.

There are some people who will, I hope, indulge me for thanking them in groups: my debut group, We Are One Four; the OneFourKidLit community; my OBGirls; my Nestie Writing Group; the Wonderly family; the North Branch Critique Group; the Lasties; Nerdfighteria; the #Lufkin6; my friends in the DFW theatre community; my HMS and DISD family; and, of course, my incredible students (especially my Twitter angels and book club kids).

I have to thank the original members of my street team, my #OMGen crew. Thank you for being willing to champion someone and something you hadn’t yet experienced: Jamie, Veronica, Jessica W., Emily, Ghenet, Rachel S., Tammy, Suzanne, Laura B., Lauren S., Carlos, Zoey, Kayla, Crystal, Tawney, Megan, Rachelia, Andrea D., Alana, Michael, Summer, Serena, Rosemond, Stephanie, Jenny M., Angi, Nik, Jessica C., Annie, Tyler, Tabitha, Antonya, Rachel, Liza, Lisseth, and Hazel.

To Jake and the team at NoStigmas, thank you for inspiring me with your endless dedication to people who are living with all kinds of mental health needs.

I can never thank my Spencer Hill family enough. Never EVER. Thank you to all who had a hand in making this book happen. Danielle Ellison, thank you for loving Gen as much as I do. Cindy and Meredith, my publicity team, thank you for helping me share this story with those who need to hear it. Kate and Patricia, thank you for your leadership and guidance. Also, I am so grateful for Briana, Asja, Lauren, Harmony, John, Becca, Sarah, and Jenny.

Thank you, Jenny Zemanek, for your incredible cover designs. They so perfectly symbolize what I could never put into words.

Jessica Sinsheimer, my agent and friend, I am so grateful for your guidance, protection, and creativity. Thank you for being collaborative, kind, and brilliant. Please give extra squishy hugs of gratitude to everyone at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.

And to Daron, my best fress, my mame, my rock star, my partner in crime, my cutie-boy-with-theheart-of-gold, I can only say thank you for never doubting me for a second. Thank you for telling the musical part of Imogen’s story with me, and of course, for basically writing the whole book.