There are many people who made it possible for me to write this book and get it out. I am grateful and moved by their belief in my work:
Mark Falkin—you saw something in this story when no one else did and found the perfect home for it in record time. You also tend to keep a cool head when I flip out, which I really appreciate.
Rob Bloom—you have made this book what it is. Your editorial instincts are flawless, your guidance invaluable.
Bill Thomas, Sarah Engelmann, Mark Lee, Lauren Hesse, John Fontana, and all the good folks at Doubleday—thank you for your work, your commitment, your enthusiasm.
Lieutenant Mark Rather—thanks for your patience in answering all my dumbass questions; and thanks to all of the extraordinary women in your house: Jessie, Emily, Lillia, and Mirabelle Rather.
Connie Pelzek and Willie Duldulao; Kay and Kurt Frederick; Paul and Susan Pelzek; Danny, Stephanie, Tyler, and Caleb Pelzek—thank you for your love and support for so many years.
Rebecca Sands Coutts—thanks to you and your family for all the PA intel and support.
Mayhill C. Fowler, Craig Love, Ryan Mensing, Tim Marshall, Laura Kang, Britt Reichborn-Kjennerud, Jon Beck—you guys have never given up on me.
Perry Meisel, Elissa Schappell, and Dave Yoo—thank you for reading my work over the years and encouraging me when I needed it the most.
Argiro Rizopoulou, Keisha Peters, Joshua Pyne—thank you for being my cubemates, having my back, and putting up with my nonsense.
Sandra and Norm Luna—you have read every word I’ve ever written, told me to keep writing when I couldn’t lift my head off the ground, insisted that I was good when I tried to tell you otherwise. “Thanks” isn’t a big enough word for what I want to say to you, but it’s all I have, so I’ll say it again and again.
Zach Luna—no one has been more unflaggingly optimistic about my career than you, and for that I can never repay you and can’t express my gratitude enough. Thank you for being such a good reader. Thanks also to your gorgeous family: Shelley Kommers, Beau and Cal Luna.
Finally, JP and Florie—I love you more than a sea of Selkies, a galaxy of moons (or space stations), a factory of Wonka Bars, a fleet of invisible jets. Without you I am just a weirdo who can’t remember why she enters a room. Every word every day is for you two.