I would like to thank a few people who helped make this book possible. I did most of the hard work, but I have to mention them. First, Tony Ross, for his illustrations. He could have coloured them in, but apparently you have to pay him extra. Next, I would like to thank Ann-Janine Murtagh. She is in charge of all HarperCollins children’s books and is very nice and always has great suggestions. I have to say that, she is the boss. Then there is Nick Lake who is my editor. His job is to help me with the characters and story, and I couldn’t do it without him. Well, I could actually, but he would cry if he wasn’t mentioned here.
The cover was designed by James Stevens, and the interior was designed by Elorine Grant. I could say that ‘Elorine’ is a silly name, but I won’t, that would be cruel. The publicist is Sam White. If you see me on Loose Women trying to flog this book, don’t blame me, blame her. Sarah Benton, thank you so much for being the most wonderful marketing manager, whatever that is. The sales directors Kate Manning and Victoria Boodle did something too, though I am not sure what. Thank you also to the copyeditor Lily Morgan and the proofreader Rosalind Turner. If there are any spelling mistakes it’s their fault. And thank you to my agent Paul Stevens at Independent for taking 10% plus VAT of my fee for sitting in his office all day drinking tea and eating biscuits.
Of course, a big thank you to you for buying this book. Really you shouldn’t be bothering reading this bit though. It’s boring. You need to get on with reading the story. It has already been called ‘one of the greatest stories ever written’. Thanks for that, Mum.