Many people contributed to making this book possible, and I am grateful to everyone who helped bring Ash to life. Thanks to Lesly Blanton, who read it first, and to Sarah Pecora, who showed me the last word. Thanks to my parents, who helped me pay the rent when I told them I was dropping out of grad school to become a writer. Thanks to Sarah Warn, who gave me a job that actually required me to write. Thanks to my fabulous agent, Laura Langlie, who took a chance on me. Thanks to my stellar editor, Kate Sullivan, who brought this book into focus. And thanks to my partner, Amy Lovell: You are my home.