I’ve written quite a few books thus far, and what I’ve learned is this: Writing can be gosh-darn lonely, and unless you want to be like Angus MacDoodle and live like a hermit, you must close the laptop and go out into the world for guidance and the occasional pat on the back.

For many pats on the back, I offer my thanks to my family—Isabelle, Walker, and Bob.

For priceless guidance, for reading my first drafts, and for helping me through my competing bouts of self-doubt and delusions of grandeur, I offer my thanks to Carol Cassella, Claire Dederer, Elsa Watson, and the newest editor on the team, Pam Garfinkel. Christine Ma copyedited the manuscript, and she’s the best copy editor I’ve ever worked with! Thank you, Christine.

I couldn’t have translated the Latin without Elsa Watson, Susan Fidelman, and Anna Backer. As for the Scottish lilt, I relied on Margaret Trent, who hails from that glorious country. Thank you, thank you!

Michael Bourret and Julie Scheina, well, really, do I need to keep thanking you in every single book I write? For Pete’s sake, don’t you know by now that I think you’re both wonderful?

To my readers, thank you for continuing this adventure with me. Without you, I would be all alone in my imaginary worlds. I love getting your letters, and I hope you’ll keep visiting me at www.suzanneselfors.com.