If you have ever peeked into a book’s acknowledgments, you have likely noticed a recurring trope in which the author thanks their editor and agent. You probably shrugged this off as a mere formality, akin to that perfunctory nod to mom at the Oscars. But when you go through the publishing process, you realize that if not for these skilled technicians, most books would suck pretty hard. I am immensely grateful for my editor Samantha Weiner at Abrams and my agent Rachel Vogel at DCL for removing so much of the suck.
Thank you to my wife, who never made known her grave regret for hitching herself to a moody sourpuss in the middle of writing his first book. I swear, it wasn’t a trick.
I am also indebted to those who endured reviewing early drafts of this compendium in its many forms. Those generous wits include Michelle Dozois, Melissa Maerz, Dagny Salas, Cole Stryker, Chuck Klosterman, Harry Heymann, and Emily Condon.
Thank you to Lorenzo Petrantoni, the illustrator who is so gifted that he can make a drab reference book sparkle with intrigue. And I am unspeakably grateful to Devin Grosz, who was lovingly meticulous in designing every little nook and cranny of this book. I would happily conscript into any war against widows and orphans with him.
Finally, I would like to thank my mom. But not in that perfunctory Oscars way. For real, she’s the best mom.