My deepest thanks to every reader of this series: every page you turn makes the world in my head feel more real. In that vein, eternal gratitude to Zoé Samudzi, who has believed in this world from the beginning—I continue to learn so much from you, and one day I hope to do for you what you have done for me just by existing.
Librarians everywhere, you are magical.
Eric Smith, you have allowed yourself to become a punchline in your support of this series. I will never, ever forget it.
Ashley Woodfolk, at the time of my writing this, we haven’t even met in person, and yet you get all my jokes and answer 11 p.m. texts. You are honest and vulnerable and your Parable of the Sower sh*t is real.
My editor, Ben Rosenthal . . . you believe in these books and I appreciate you for always trying to be a good partner, even when I’m the bull in your shop of breakable objects. Thank you for seeing Faloiv and understanding why it’s important.
My agent, Regina Brooks, thank you for your patience and for at least not sighing audibly when I ask the same thing for the millionth time. There are so many things happening in my head at once and I appreciate you trying to parse through them.
Minda Honey, Lucie Witt, and Kaitlyn Soligan Owens . . . the makings of Monday night mischief. Thank you for your tacos and your trash talk. Minda, thank you especially for your plants and your laugh. You gather people together in a unique way, and my life and my writing (and my writing life) have so vastly improved since I allowed myself to open up to you.
The Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, thank you for making a home for me and my vision, and the vision of so many young artists. And to my students . . . every summer you remind me of why I do what I do.
Amani and Monae, you always wear your promo shirts even when you haven’t read the book yet. I see you and appreciate you.
Caralanay Cameron and Dana Lynch, my best best besties: thank you for planning all my events and for knowing everything I’m not even aware of not knowing. You are in my blood the way not even family can be.
And finally, thank you to my daughter and my husband, my greatest inspiration. Earth is only worth it if you are here beside me.