ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

When I was six years old, I wrote a story about the Exogini, a collection of tiny monsters also known as a Fistful of Aliens, and who have since been replaced by the Gormiti, or Lords of Nature. It was four pages of hard work, and I clearly remember why I did it: my mother had pushed me to write by promising me that she’d take my ‘treatment’ to the offices of Radiotelevisione Italiana. Only many years later do I understand why she employed that strategy. So she is the first person I should thank. She’s always had complete confidence in my abilities, total passion in keeping track of all my artistic endeavours, and she has always been there, ready and willing to help. The publication of Multiversum is a success for her as well. As far as locked in back, I used to say to her whenever she asked me how much I loved her. That was my childish way of describing a hug. The same thing applies today, Mamma.

But this book exists because a number of people have chosen to travel through parallel realities, allowing my worlds to express themselves.

Piergiorgio Nicolazzini, my agent, whom I thank wholeheartedly along with all his staff. A solid, trustworthy, perceptive soul — there are too few people like him around. When I decided to join his list of authors, I finally started to believe that this passion of mine might actually turn into a profession. Dear Piergiorgio, our conquest of this universe is just the first objective. In time, we can start planning our takeover of other universes as well!

Fiammetta Giorgi and the editorial staff of Mondadori Ragazzi, a team of talented professionals who snipped, stitched, and ironed my novel, displaying the greatest kindness and intuition from the first day we met.

A special mention goes to my editor, Francesco Gungui, who risked his mental health by venturing into the vast labyrinth of the editorial process required to bring Multiversum to fruition. We both know where this all began. In a steakhouse, when the novel hadn’t yet come into existence, before he even went to work for Mondadori. That meeting was no coincidence. They never are.

Moreover, thanks to everyone who pitched in during the editing process, reading the book in special sneak-peek screenings, and offering invaluable advice: Andrea and Stefano Brambilla, Eleonora Giupponi and Claudia Erba, Mirko Cioffi, Veronica Volpe, Giulia Forcolini, and my colleagues Francesco Falconi, Asia Greenhorn, and Simona Toma.

My sincerest thanks also go to several friends who have patiently put up with my narrative follies over the last few years, along with my plots and half-baked ideas that have gradually developed in my head, before they could pour out onto the page. The ‘Port Royal gang’, in no particular order: Matun, Ema, Mayer, La Giò, La Fra, and Il Vlad.

To conclude, let me thank the person who changed my life. She’s my therapist, my editor, my first reader, my nurse, and I could go on ad infinitum.

One day she decided to hold out her hand to me and walk by my side, in our own little section of the Multiverse. La amo davvero, in the words of Luca Carboni. Grazie, Valeria.

P.S. In a parallel universe, I’ve already thanked all those whom I’ve inadvertently neglected to mention in this woefully incomplete list!