Acknowledgments

Although each of my series has had a unique origin point, I never expected Pax’s. Even looking back on it, I’m not entirely sure how a Twitter comment about wanting a queer retelling of Friday Night Lights turned into a science fiction trilogy, but it did, and I have Kate Brauning to thank for it. Not only was it her tweet that sparked the conversation, but also it was her guidance that helped me build the foundation for the series and find it a home faster than any story I’d created before. Kate, thank you, and I hope you like how it all turned out!

My editor, Lydia Sharp, came into Pax’s life cycle by chance, and I am extremely grateful for the enthusiasm with which they jumped into the process. Thank you for helping to make the transitions of the past few years so seamless and for all your support.

Thanks go to Dr. Daniel Whiteson for not only co-writing We Have No Idea, a physics book that is humorous, informative, and shockingly understandable for a layperson like myself, but for also being willing to respond to the really random email I sent asking questions about wormholes and particles. The science in my universe isn’t real. Hopefully, however, your advice helped me at least make it consistent.

I wouldn’t have gotten through the writing and editing of this book or whipped it into the shape it’s in without Bethany Robison and Cait Greer. They have always been willing to offer notes, encouragement, advice, or simply a willing ear for me to vent to. I’m so grateful to you both for being part of my life.

Most of the time, a good agent ends up being part manager, part advocate, and part therapist, and Eric Smith has definitely played all those roles for me since I first emailed him about a sprawling story set in space. I’m so lucky to have him and P.S. Literary in my corner!

The rest of #TeamRocks has been a source of inspiration and support for years now. I adore being able to call these people my friends. Thanks for being awesome, Mike Chen, Rebecca Phillips, Rebecca Enzor, Helen Corcoran, Julia Ember, Jill Baguchinsky, Tiana Smith, Kayla Ancrum, Tom Ryan, Adam Sass, Erin Madison, Erica Boyce, Dave Connis, Lindsey Smith, Nita Tyndall, and Olivia Chadha.

And, as always, thank you to the entire Entangled team, many of whom I have never been able to meet in person but who are always willing to do whatever they can to help make a book fly. To everyone who touched this book along its path from draft to publication, you’re fantastic. Thank you.

The final but most important thanks goes to everyone who picks it up after it leaves my hands. This story belongs to you now, and I can only hope I did it justice. Thank you for reading it. Please feel free to recommend it to everyone you know.