This book was my “science feelings” book. Writing it helped me work through the intersection of doing neuroscience with all of my identities: Chinese, female, second-generation immigrant, queer, and more. It would not exist without the efforts and support of so many people.
Veronica Park took on, edited, and championed this story, all while making me laugh on every phone call. Tricia Skinner continues to go above and beyond as my agent, encouraging me to write the things I’m scared to write. I’m tempted to send cookies to everyone at Fuse Literary for their excellence in everything they do. At Lerner/Carolrhoda, Amy Fitzgerald’s magic touch and deep connection to the story turned our shared vision into a real book. Thanks also to cover designer Viet Chu and the rest of the Lerner team, including creative director Danielle Carnito, production editor Erica Johnson, copyeditor Heidi Mann, and publicist Megan Ciskowski.
This manuscript went through countless drafts and is readable thanks to the superhumans who suffered through the early ones: Genevieve Gagne-Hawes, Romina Garber, Laura Rueckert, Karuna Riazi, Mia Council, Julia Byers, and Jess Creaden. Ryan La Sala, Ryan Dalton, Shveta Thakrar, Gabe Cole Novoa, Kemi Ashing-Giwa, and Dahlia Adler came in strong with the publishing advice and generosity that I needed. I deeply appreciate the friendship of authors Rona Wang, Angela Paolini, Nivair Gabriel, Diana Pinguicha, Kylie Lee Baker, and Birukti Tsige. Kim McDonald, your illustration of Ver and Aryl is breathtaking!
Applause to booksellers, librarians, and teachers for bringing stories to readers, especially those who hunger to see themselves and their friends in literature. (Special shoutout to Cody Roecker for their boundless knowledge and energy!) I’m so grateful to bloggers, BookTokers, podcasters, and reviewers, who spread the word far and wide, and who’ve made the online book community a wonderful place to hang out and find my next read.
I’m indebted to the friends and family who looked out for me during this time. Even as I saw doctors and went through treatment for chronic pain, a global pandemic and challenges in my day job made it tough to keep on writing. But thanks to you, I did. Thank you all for being there.
Finally, to readers: Thank you for giving my words a chance. Thank you for sharing my world.