ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

They say it takes a village to raise a child. In so many ways a book is like a child and, yes, it does take a village to turn it from a glint in an author’s eye into a book you can hold in your hands.

Hexenhaus is my baby and I want to thank the wonderful midwifery team at UQP: Kristina Schulz for believing she could breathe life into my manuscript and Kristy Bushnell for watching over Hexy so carefully while keeping me up-to-date with tales of her magical bean orchard. Also, thank you to Alexandra and Madonna and all the UQP team. Huge thanks go to Jody Lee, my supernaturally gifted editor (or fairy godmother), for helping me nurture my little baby and keeping a vigilant eye on her. Thanks also to Jo Hunt for the cover and dressing my baby in lovely clothes. To Jo Butler, my agent, thank you for keeping me on an even keel and for fanning my confidence when I was doubting myself through the long gestation period. And thank you to the wise word-women, Nicole Hayes and Kate Forsyth, who gave Hexenhaus their blessings.

Thank you to the beautiful Fiona McCowan for being the first to get to know Hexenhaus and loving her; to Gemma Ward, Hexenhaus’s crazy aunt; and to Mum and Dad for instilling in me a deep love of storytelling. Thank you to my extended family because I love you all: Bob Amor, Anne-Marie and Rachel McWatters; and Dan Owens; David and Patsy Del Valle-McWatters; Benjamin Buick; Charley Mason; Toby Buick; Greer Gardner; Harrison Black; Madelaine Humphreys; Jason Rumble; Pepper; Mia, Thomas and Oscar Humphreys; Stephanie, Col and Carol-Anne Humphreys; Michael, Tracy, Kathleen and Anthony Humphreys; William Blake Coglin; Christine and Tessa Coles; my amazing cousin Mark Ballenger and the lovely Sheree; Joan and Jim Ballenger; Ayesha and Rohin Knight; Lynette and Ross Stagg; Rhoni and Andrew Stokes; and Natalie and Brian Powles.

And, as always, most enormous thanks to Zeus, who held my hand all the way through this long process, putting up with my cravings for rice-milk coffee and regular tears of frustration. You are the perfect river rock to my dragonfly. I love you to the end of time.