This book was made possible by so many that I barely know where to begin. Many hands made this work light, either by assisting me directly or by helping me live a life worth commenting on. It is my mother, Sharon Hardiman Jennings, who taught me that life is not about how I feel. My father, Hartford Jennings, without meaning to, tasked me to write the Blackest fantasy I could concoct. My brother, Brandon MacDonald. Erin, Aunt Donna—who saved my dear mother’s life—and William “Soopaman” MacDonald.
H. T. and Rebecca Jennings and their children Max, Vanessa, Veronica, Xavier, and Tre. Lisa Jennings Léandre—who taught me to read and write in the first place—and her children Trenton Pierre, Vérida, Alexandra, and Yvette. Cousin Judy, Tracy, Cookie—Tanisha, Allen, and Stephen. Eugene Marion “Mike” Jennings, whose courage, intellect, and open heart inspire me every day. Thanks to Casey Grayson for this service and example. Thanks to Billy Martin, who helped me begin reshaping my heart.
Cousin Andrew, Uncle Larry, Cousin Laurel Ann, Cousin Houston, Shelly, Brian, and Kevin.
Mike Nan and his wife, Felicia. Aunt Naomi, Uncle Raymond, Aunt Harriet, Uncle James, Aunt Louisa, and Elizabeth Jennings, who taught me Story.
To Mimi Mondal for hours upon hours of shop talk and companionable conversation.
To Preston Spradling, the first person outside my family to truly love my fiction.
To each of the brilliant teachers who sped me along, including Frankie Ayeh, Tom Fox, Liz Thornton, Nancy Gregory, Dorsaf Kouki, Nellie Bridge, and Sandra Yannone. China Miéville, Samuel R. Delany, Elizabeth Hand, Nisi Shawl, Octavia Butler, and K. Tempest Bradford. Eliani Torres, of course, of course. Neile Graham, Leslie Howell. Sheree Renee Thomas, who paved the way for so many.
April Blevins Pejic, Rade Pejic, Creighton Durrant, Jennifer Kuchta, Connie Zeanah Atkinson, Elizabeth Blankenship, Dan Doll, Shaina Monet and Aaron Maus, Maurice Carlos Ruffin, and Wendy Bolm.
My fellow Dogfish producers: Jessica Kinnison, Taylor Murrow, and, of course, Cate Root. Sara D’Antoni, Erica Aargraves, Winfield Yaw, Lola Oyohochitto, Amanda Emily Smith.
Thanks to Benjy Ferree, whose music and friendship saw me through some dark-ass times. Vince Gulino with his companionship and bedroom eyes (ew, girl). Jennifer Gutierrez, Jason Stratton, Domenica Clark, Aelva Duckhugger, Aubrie Brown. Renata Brito-Cherrin, Brittany Whittenberg, Tanks Transfeld! Meg Elison! Njeri Campbell! Alex Smith! Kytara Epps, Keely Lewis, and Karate Valentino, who helped hold me together during the Pantene Pro V.
Special thanks also to Shawna McCarthy, my agent, without whom none of this would be possible. Thanks also to Bill Campbell and, of course, to my editor, Nivia Evans.
Finally, a thousand thousand thanks to the city, culture, music, people, and spirit of New Orleans.