I received my first critique on this manuscript from my classmates—Sandy, Kathy, Shoshana, Mary Ellen, Emily, Dani, Melissa, Brittany, and Jennifer. Thank you for your early notes and support. I have so much love and respect for all of you, and I cannot wait to see your works out in the world one day. A special thanks to the rest of the faculty and students at Simmons, especially Cathryn Mercier, Anna Staniszewski, and Susan Bloom <3, from whom I learned so much.
This story would not be what it is today without so many friends and readers who were able to offer their insight along the way. Thank you to everyone who has ever read a draft or an excerpt and helped me see things in a different light: Janet, Carter, Esther, Stephanie, Ariel, Sylvie, Hilary, Jen, Amanda, Rob, Andrew, Ben, Sarah, and so many more. Aileen—thank you for Buster. Jen, thank you for letting me take the time off of work to complete the final revisions.
Paige, your particular notes for this project were invaluable. Thank you for initiating the Old Mopsy/Jason fan clubs. Dawn, thank you for keeping me accountable and for inspiring me to keep going. Courtney and Marie, thank you for always being willing to interrupt our regularly scheduled chatting to answer my hundreds of tiny questions about grammar and for reassuring me every step of the way.
To my amazing agent, Emily Keyes, you inspired the revision that finally made this story click. The best parts of this book exist because of your notes and feedback, and I cannot thank you enough. I still cannot believe how lucky I am to work with you. Thank you for answering all my panicked questions, for keeping me (relatively) calm throughout this terrifyingly exciting process, and for caring so much about my characters. I promise you George eventually got his nachos. Thank you also to Laurie McLean and the rest of the team at Fuse Literary.
I’m so fortunate to have an amazing editor, Amy Fitzgerald. I’m so honored you saw the potential in Jack and George’s journey, and were able to help further shape it into the story it is today. Your questions generated some of the scenes I am now proudest of. Thank you also to everyone at Lerner/Carolrhoda who played a part in the production of this book, including cover artist Tania Rex, designer Lindsey Owens, creative director Danielle Carnito, and production manager Erica Johnson. The cover and book design are gorgeous and have brought more life to this story than I could have ever imagined. To copyeditor Mahogony Francis and proofreader Jun Kuromiya, thank you for making it seem like I know what I’m doing. To Jo Knowles, Melissa D. Savage, Anna Staniszewski, thank you so much for your early reads and kind words.
To my in-laws and extended family, thank you for providing so much love. A special acknowledgment to my nieces and nephew: Natalie, Keira, Norah, Caleigh, and Andrew. I am so proud to be your uncle.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always encouraging my creative endeavors and for making me the person that I am today. I am also very fortunate to have four amazing siblings, whose support I could not manage without. Megan, Michael, Robert, and Brian, thank you for everything.
I need to send the most special of shout-outs to my best little friend, Rudy, who slept by my side for so much of this process. I hope the book is not as boring as your sleeping implies. You are the greatest dog, and you deserve all of the treats.
Scott, I do not even know how to thank you for everything. You have read this book more times than I have. This story is as much yours as it is mine. Thank you for each “I’ve changed these two sentences. Can you reread the entire book and tell me which version is better?” You are the George to my Jack. I cannot believe how lucky I am that you’re both real and really mine.
Finally, to my readers, I am so honored and thankful you went on this journey with Jack and George. To everyone who is struggling with mental health issues, everyone who feels like they don’t belong, everyone who has ever felt invisible, never be afraid to ask for help. You are real, you are part magic, and you deserve to be seen. I believe in you.