know where to begin. This book has been in the making for almost a decade as I struggled to find the right way to tell this story. After a series of life events, it finally came to me in the form of Gray and Chrome one day during maladaptive daydreaming.
It has been healing for me in so many ways, and I hope as a reader you were able to resonate with it on some level. Gray and Chrome saved me. Point blank. And through them I was able to begin healing.
This book wouldn’t be here without the help of so many people. Seriously, it takes an army to publish a book. To start, I want to thank my parents for their support throughout the whole process. If not for them, I would still be daydreaming of this story.
Slate (the real-life Slate), your confidence and support were monumental. (Still find it crazy that the character came along before you did). The belief you had in me when I wanted to pick this story back up is something I’ll never forget, and I’ll be forever grateful. You never even questioned me. It’s all I needed to commit to finally finishing this story and getting it out into the world. And thanks for listening to me drone on and on about it when you had no idea what I was talking about.
Tory, my parabatai. We’ve been writing together for years and talking about the day we’d finally get books out there. If not for you, I would’ve given up in defeat a long time ago. The alpha reads through the roughest of drafts were immense. You’ve been here through it all during this journey and my gratitude is unending. It’s crazy to think how we started out roleplaying Harry Potter next-gen in our early twenties. Thanks for putting up with my insane ideas and not judging me for them. It was also your belief and confidence in me to achieve dream that kept me from giving up. You have no idea how much I appreciate that. Now, it’s your turn to one out there.
Eezy. Those comments back on Wattpad gave me life. Thank you for sticking around all this time with your encouragement. It was Nova and the emotional chords you yanked on that inspired Chrome and this story. This story wouldn’t have manifested if not for you. Your excitement and enthusiasm are what motivated me to keep going.
Amarah, I thank you for opening my eyes and saving me from making a devastating mistake. You saved this book. Thank you for all the advice, and our great talks of emo music and kids. And for being my first author friend when I dove back into this story. You have been instrumental in more ways than you can know, and I’ll be forever grateful for you.
Kendra, thank you for everything you’ve done. There was a time I would’ve been absolutely lost and totally screwed without you. You’ve done so much in helping me getting this book right with the beta read, as well your reactions brought me life. Your role with the ARC team has been incredible, and I’m so honored to have met you and be able to call you my friend. Your undying support and excitement has been unfounded. Hopefully we’ll all get together one day and celebrate.
Samantha. Thank you. First, thank you for being my author bestie. Second, you should look into line editing on the side. You saved my ass so much in helping to integrate edits. So, I thank you endlessly, my friend. I wonder how Chrome and Vesryn would get along. I can only imagine the dramatic antics they’d be up to together. (This is a thought that frequently goes through my mind.) I’m so excited for your writing career and can’t wait to see how The Aelfyn Archives continues to blossom.
Kirsty, thank you for your attention to details and helping me shape this story. I’m so grateful for your help and kindness. Your insight into helping me make this story land was beyond beneficial and I cannot thank you enough. It was the fact you seemed to see and get my story from the start that made me know you were the editor I had to work with to get this book where I envisioned it. And you did. So thank you so much.
Rebecca Quinn, thank you so much for your advice. I’ll never forget your kindness and willingness to share your knowledge. I’m in awe of you and I’m so honored to call you a friend.
All the authors and editors in The Avengers Assemble Discord group, thank you for providing the support during a very difficult time in this process. Thank you for providing the resources and knowledge I needed when I was so lost. Most importantly, thank you for helping me to get my mind right so I could get this story where I always envisioned it.
My Fellow Trauma Queens. Your knowledge and your willingness to share it has saved me from making further mistakes as a baby author. Thank you so much. Let’s continue to break hearts, shall we? K.C., thank you for being the sweetest. Julia and Lacey, I will forever refer to you as my writing twins. N.R., I will forever credit you for giving me the term, Murder Muffin to refer to Chrome. T.A., thank you for being so supportive from the moment I joined IG.
My ARC team and bookstagrammers/booktokers who’ve been carrying the torch for A Touch of Gold and Madness like it’s the next Fourth Wing, you guys are everything. I truly don’t have words to describe how much you mean to me. Every time I began to think no one would want to read this book, someone would message me expressing their excitement. It’s brought tears to my eyes more times than I can count. I’m honored to have found you guys and have you on my team. I’ll never take any of you little savages for granted. The kindness that the bookstagram and booktok communities showed me from the start is something I’ll never forget. You guys are the heroes. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I feel like I’m leaving out so many who’ve helped me in some way or another, and I wish I could name everyone. Thank you to anyone who offered any advice, guidance, support or encouragement. My gratitude is limitless.
Go join K. L. DeVore’s The Little Savage Squad Reader Discord where you can engage with other readers of A Touch of Gold and Madness.