First off, this book would not be in your hands without the indomitable David Gale. This entire journey is because David read my email, asked to look at my novel, and saw the potential in Charlie’s story. Thank you, David, for making my dream come true. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
A debt of gratitude goes to my agent Robert Guinsler, who has helped me navigate the open waters of the publishing world. Thank you, Robert, for always having my back and believing in me.
This book would not exist without the amazing team at Simon & Schuster. First off, a big thank you to the publisher, Justin Chanda. Also, thank you to Krista Vossen for a beautifully designed book. Further thanks goes to Tom Daly, Katrina Groover, Martha Hanson, Audrey Gibbons, Lauren Hoffman, Chrissy Noh, Christina Pecorale, Emily Hutton, Michelle Leo, and Sarah Woodruff. A special thank-you goes to Amanda Ramirez, who has been invaluable in helping this book find its way to the world.
Thank you to Matt Saunders who brought a beautiful book cover to life.
Earth to Charlie has had many readers since the very first draft back in 2015. A big thank-you to Mandy Haller, Janet Trumble, Brenda Lamb, Andrea Massaro, Natalie Kinsella, Trudy Wood, Tevin Stutzman, and Isabel Galupo for reading Charlie’s story, providing helpful notes, and giving encouragement along the way. This book wouldn’t be where it is today without you.
Thank you to Amy Schiffman, for championing this novel in the world of Hollywood.
To the Novel19s group—thank you for your support! I have made so many friends with you amazing writers, and I hope that our friendship continues beyond our debut year.
There have been many people in my life who have championed my writing and who have taken the time to read my earlier novels. The support you have given me throughout the years has gotten me to this point. I sincerely thank each and every one of you. It means the world.
Not going to lie, I had given up on getting this book published after 50+ agent rejections. Charlie’s story was going to quickly make its bed with the four other novels I had finished and couldn’t get repped. But then Jerell Rosales read it and loved it enough to say, “Keep sending it out. Get to one hundred rejections.” His words gave me the needed boost to restart the long and arduous querying process. But this time it worked! So a big fat hearty thank-you goes to Jerell for his unwavering support in this book. Our many talks and your continued support means so much to me.
June Severance has guided my writing since way back when I was writing screenplays. I would not be the writer I am today without our many conversations over tea and your hand-written notes. I know you’d be proud of this novel.
To all my friends, thank you for being by my side as we navigate this thing called life.
To all my family, thank you for your unwavering support. (This includes my grandparents, Jack and Nancy Datres, and Arnold and Shirley Olson, whom I still deeply miss.) Also, a special shout-out to my brother, Jake, who has read this book and many of my others—making time even with his busy life in the world of science.
Thank-you to the many librarians and booksellers—the real warriors of the book world—for championing this novel.
I can’t forget to thank Yossarian. He won’t read this, but he’s been a great writing buddy. He keeps my world light-hearted and the journey interesting.
I would be lost without my parents, who have supported my writing habit throughout the nearly thirteen years it took to get here. They’ve always believed in me, even if they were concerned when I would stare at the laptop for too long. (These books don’t write themselves.) Dale and Trudi Olson are the best parents I could have ever asked for. Thank you for all your love and all your support.
Finally, thank you, dear reader, for picking up my debut novel. If you’re still reading these acknowledgements, then I’m guessing you probably liked my book (if not, what are you doing here?! Just kidding). I would be so honored if you could share or recommend Charlie’s story to other people in person or online. After all, any book’s success depends on readers like you supporting it. Also, while I’ve got your attention, support your local bookstores. Nothing beats browsing bookshelves and stumbling across something that has the potential to light up your life; and frankly, I find the prospect of no physical bookstores the beginning of a dystopian world. (Is that a new novel idea?)
I think that’s it. Though now I’m nervous I forgot someone, and if I did, know that it wasn’t intentional. I’m just scatterbrained and trying to write a new book. Well, my coffee’s gone, so I’m going to wrap this up right here. Until next time.