“Thank you Jesus!” is how I feel about this book being written, published, and making its way to you. I mean, for real …Without God, nothing.
To my family by more than blood: Mummy, Daddy, Bro, Sis, I love yuh! You are each a unique gift to me and the world. I wouldn’t be here without you. To my friends who are family, especially my sisters beyond birth-papers - you know what it’s been, what it is, and are still here for what will be. Thank you. To my nieces, nephews, and all the little and not-so-little ones I know, keep shining – darkness will never overcome the light. To my aunties and uncles, cousins, beloved extended family: thank you for your encouragement, life lessons, and prayers. My son, thank you for being you, and for inspiring these books. 303Mama loves you forever and always. Fam, I couldn’t have done it without you! And we not done yet.
It takes a village to raise a child and one to publish a book too. Thank you to every person on the Knights Of team who dared greatly with ZO and with me: Aimée, for your vision, patience, and persistence. Eishar, for being an extraordinary and attuned editor and a human being who cares. Tasia and Sophie, for a cover full of vibes that I love more every time I look at it. Meera, for the lovely Round Table displays. George, Anita, Ella and Sam. Annabelle and ed.pr, Robert at Bounce, Suzie at New Leaf, Isobel at Curtis Brown – thank you for sharing ZO with others.
Much thanks to the mentors, residencies, workshops, festivals, and fellow writers who gave me space and support along the road.
But what are books without readers? To all the children, parents, teachers, librarians, reviewers, and booksellers who’ve welcomed ZO, thank you! May each reader be uplifted by one small thing in these books, like I have been by a lifetime of reading. And if you find something good in these pages or in life, by all means, pass it on.