Acknowledgments

I want to thank my agent, Annie Bomke, who saw something special in my work and took a chance on me. You worked tirelessly on my behalf, and I’m forever indebted to you. I also want to thank Blackstone Publishing and their amazing team, including my editor, Peggy Hageman. I am truly the luckiest author ever. After God, I have to thank my ever-supportive mother and brother who believed a book would come even when there were no signs that it would. A big thank-you to my friends Jen Brown, Julian Fray (JT), Laura Schuyler, Michael Hibler, Edgar Martinez, Dalia Guillen, Jamie Biggs, Francisco Tellez, Tonatiuh Juarez, Kai Love, and many more. I am a writer because of you all, although there’s one person I owe it all to: May-lee Chai. You are my biggest supporter and the person who taught me to write, query, and never give up. God placed you in my path, and I’m glad for it. I’m forever inspired by you. Finally, thank you to the Amherst College Library staff for pushing me toward writing many years ago. You gave me a coat during the Massachusetts winter, food when I was starving, and an open ear during my toughest times. You listened to all of my ideas and made me promise to never stop my pursuit. Judith, Tracy, and Janet, I am humbled by your friendship.