THIS IS THE kind of book I’ve always wanted to write. Small town, big cast of characters, a monster, a menace. The twelve-year-old version of me, reading It for the first time by flashlight into the small hours of the morning, had visions of a book like this with my name on the cover. The problem was that I didn’t think I had it in me. In the midst of coffee-and-ice-cream-fueled midnight writing sessions, picking apart one draft to form another, I felt so sure that Gabe, Sonya, Charlie, and Kimberly would never see a world beyond my computer’s hard drive. There’s a long list of people who believed differently, and if you enjoyed this novel, you should thank them more than me.
First, my publisher, Swoon Reads, and the team there. Created by Jean Feiwel and led fearlessly by Lauren Scobell, I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to be at the helm of taking this book to print.
My editor, Emily Settle, and Lauren Scobell co-edited this book with grace, wisdom, and a few swift kicks to my imagination. They helped me turn the story into something I’m immensely proud of, and for that I cannot thank them enough.
Heather Vaughan illustrated the cover for Dagger Hill, and it’s perfect, plain and simple. She’s hugely talented and a fellow Pennsylvanian, which is probably why those thousand-leggers are so accurate and creepy.
The Swoon Squad of fellow authors is a life raft floating on the choppy, uncertain waters of the publishing industry. Our mutual friendship and support have helped get some of us through the dreariest days of our respective careers. I’m very grateful to be a part of that group.
I’d like to give a big shout-out to all the local indie bookstores that have hosted events for me and have put my books at the forefront of their stores. Three of the standouts include Cupboard Maker Books in Enola, Pennsylvania; Let’s Play Books in Emmaus, Pennsylvania; and Towne Book Center in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Huge thanks to booksellers there who have put valuable time and effort into helping get my books into the hands of readers.
In the realm of friends and family, I’d like to thank my best friend, Cait Brittenburg, who understands the nature of being an adult and how it can sometimes affect friendships. Ours has gone undeterred for many years now, and we’re always no more than a text message away from picking up right where we left off. She always has my back.
My siblings and siblings-in-law: Shane, Chloe, Morgan, and Michael. This book is dedicated to my brother, Shane, because even though I’m older, he knows way more about a lot of random stuff than I do. His veins flow with trivia and music, and I thought about him several times while writing this book. All four of them are constantly supportive, forever positive, and always willing to babysit. Thanks, guys.
My in-laws, Dynel and Eric, who took us in during a really difficult period in our life and my life personally. They bought me dinner the night my first book came out because we had spent our last fifteen dollars on gas so I could drive around and sign copies all day. Now that we’re back on our feet, I’m more grateful than ever for them and for their support.
My parents, Mylinda and Jeff. They are such an important part of my life and my kids’ lives. They hold me up when I’m feeling heavy and anchor me down when I feel like I might float away. The term “parents” has had a nontraditional meaning in my family for a long time, but let me tell you, these two are the real deal. I have no idea what I’d do without them.
My wife, Kelsey, and my daughters, Rylan and Norrie, come last because they hold the closest place to my heart. They are my heart. They see me at my worst and best depending on what day it is and choose to love me either way. They are my number one fans and my greatest support system, and no matter how many times they beat me at Uno, I still wake up every day thankful that I have them here with me. Ladies, I love you a whole bunch. Also, nose bop.
This book, if nothing else, is a love letter to the horror genre. I grew up hunting down the thrill of being afraid. I doubt that I did that sensation any justice here, but I gave it my best shot. Thank you all for reading.