This story would still be half-finished on my laptop if it wasn’t for the support, prodding and general cheerleading of the wonderful team at Faber Children’s. Particular thanks go to my editor Alice Swan for knowing when to push and when to listen. Special mentions to my fantastic publicist Hannah Love, to Sarah Lough for clever, inventive marketing, and to the linchpin in everything, project editor Natasha Brown.
Faber is full of brilliant people – Emma Eldridge in design, Lizzie Bishop in rights, Kellie, Mel, Sam, John and the sales team. Julian De Narvaez continues to surpass himself with his cover illustrations. I am so lucky to work with you all.
I’m massively grateful to booksellers and librarians whose skill ensures books find the right readers. To bloggers, journalists, reviewers, you make such a difference to a book’s exposure: thank you.
Huge thanks to the teaching community who’ve embraced reading with such enthusiasm. Your schools should be so proud of you. It’s been a real joy to chat via Twitter and say hello to your students!
To Maz, Kiran, Maya, Perdita, Abi, Ross, Robin, Peter, James, and too many other fellow writers to mention. We look out for each other, and I love that.
And to all the readers who’ve sent letters, emails, or who’ve turned up at book signings and festivals, meeting you is the best part of being an author.
Finally, my nearest and dearest. For the phone calls I’ve forgotten to make, the headaches, the early starts, the being grumpy and begging you to look after my dogs while I go on yet another trip, I’m sorry. Most of all to my husband who, as I start the first draft of my next book, faces the process all over again. A heartfelt, gargantuan thank you.