Many thanks to my editor, Julie Amper, and all the talented, kind, and dedicated people at Holiday House, including Sally Morgridge, who championed Eliza from the beginning. And to Sylvie Frank, who introduced me to the fold.
I’d also like to deliver a crate of dark chocolate to my agent, Marie Lamba, who turned up at precisely (and I do mean precisely) the right moment! Thank you for choosing me to be your first; I’m honored.
To my critique group, aka the MiGs, Kate Fall, Christina Farley, Susan Laidlaw, Andrea Mack, and Debbie Ridpath Ohi: You guys are amazing writers and even better friends. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the tiara-wearing Diane Bailey, who helped turn a ragtag manuscript into something worthy of the ball.
Thank you to Rebecca Mette for crying in the right places. (It could have been the pregnancy hormones. But I’ll take it!) And to Stephen Mette, who once told me, “Don’t be nervous, be awesome.” It’s good advice even when you’re not staring down a pine board that needs breaking.
Thank you Casey Lee for generously and patiently helping me with my Korean.
Thanks also to Tony Boles for being an enthusiastic resource of all things taekwondo, and to my dojang family. It takes courage to step on any martial-art mat, and I’m inspired by all of you who show up and work hard every week. I’d like to especially thank the women black belts I’ve trained with over the years: Amy, Brenda, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Sarah, and Stacy. I want to be like you when I grow up.
And, of course, my never-ending gratitude goes to Jim, Matt, Sam, and Abbey. You are my sun moon stars rain.