The creation of a book takes an army. I never realized that. I always thought authors sat alone in dignified places and created masterpieces. Now I know.
I know that I couldn’t write without my husband. Thank you for stepping in when I didn’t have time to breathe. For cooking and bringing me plates of food. For putting together a telescope in the middle of our living room without asking me a single question. For spending evenings alone because I am locked away writing. For dealing with the irritable monster that I become when I haven’t slept in two days. For lifting me into your arms and hugging me when a plot hole has brought me to tears. For letting me wake you up at two in the morning because writing my kill scene has caused me to be scared of the dark.
I know that I couldn’t turn my jumbled words into a book without Susan Barnes. Thank you for carrying us through six drafts of this book. Thank you for speaking up, for pushing, for asking for more. Thank you for digging through this book and pulling out beauty. Thank you for not shying away from my gore and for daring these pages to be wilder.
I know that this book wouldn’t find you, the reader, without the Orbit/Redhook/Hachette team. Thank you to Wendy Chan, for creating a cover that causes the reader to stop and stare. Thank you to Lindsey Hall and Angelina Krahn for finding every typo, error and brain-lapse that my brain tried to hide through these pages. Thank you to Andromeda Macri and Giraud Lorber for formatting this book and for Alex Lencicki, Ellen Wright, Laura Fitzgerald, Andy Swist, and Rachel Hairston for spreading the word and getting it in front of readers. Thank you to the entire Redhook team for believing in Deanna and for giving her a chance to shine.
I know that this book wouldn’t have found the Redhook team without my agent, Maura Kye-Casella. You, more than anyone, are why this book is on shelves. Thank you for believing in my work and for letting me publish in any fashion I choose to. Thank you for bringing my work to the next level. Thank you, most importantly, for being my friend.
I know that my talent would not be possible without God. These words are not enough, but thank you for all that you bless me with, in this life and the next. I am not worthy but I am truly grateful.
I know that I wouldn’t be able to write full-time if it weren’t for the readers. Thank you for picking up this book. For seeking out and enjoying my other works. For recommending my books to others, for leaving reviews, and for loving my words. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Truly. You are what make this career, and these books, possible.
Sincerely,
A. R. (Alessandra) Torre