THANK YOU TO MY STALWART writing group members, Marianna Baer, Anna Godbersen, Anne Heltzel, Jill Santopolo, Eliot Schrefer, and other dear friends who read drafts: Kristin Cashore, Morgan Fahey, Donna Freitas, Drew Gorman-Lewis, Sarah Mesle, and Becky Rosenthal. You gave vital suggestions and encouragement when things got hard.
This book wouldn’t have been possible without them, or without the kindness and generosity of Cassandra Clare and Josh Lewis. Many thanks also to Robin Wasserman for her ever-keen perspective, Holly Black for plotting with me while we wrangled with the Aga, Elizabeth Eulberg for not letting me die on a tiny, tiny plane, and Sarah Rees Brennan, who always had a ready answer for my worries and wrote alongside me in our bower until the very end. Many thanks also to Renée Ahdieh, Leigh Bardugo, and Sabaa Tahir for giving me advice when I needed it most.
The poem Nirrim reads in the printer’s workshop is (of course) by Sappho.
I love having FSG, and Macmillan at large, as a publishing home. Joy Peskin and Trisha de Guzman have been so insightful and supportive as my editors. I thank them and the entire Macmillan team, especially Jen Besser, Beth Clark, Molly Brouillette Ellis, Teresa Ferraiolo, Kathryn Little, Kelsey Marrujo, John Nora, Janine O’Malley, Taylor Pitts, Melanie Sanders, Janine Barlow, Anne Heausler, Mary Van Akin, Allison Verost, and Ashley Woodfolk. Lisa Perrin gave me a gorgeous cover. My agents, Charlotte Sheedy and Alexandra Machinist, have shaped my career and books in profound ways, and have always been there for me.
My readers impress me every day with their enthusiasm and open hearts. You are what made me want to write this book.
My last thanks are to Eve Gleichman, for everything you’ve given me. I am so grateful for you.