I first want to give a heartfelt thank-you to you, my readers. None of what I have done with my life would have been possible without your love, encouragement, and interest in my writings. Over the last year of touring it has been an honor to meet thousands of you at events and hear your personal stories. I am so grateful to you for being here.
My short list of thank-yous on this book includes my agents extraordinaire, Jan Miller and Lacy Lynch. Two decades, ladies, and we’re still doing it. Thank you both for believing in me and in this message, and helping me find a home for it. And to Stephen Breimer, my attorney: thank you for two decades of protection, mentorship, and caring. None of what I have done would have been possible without this team.
To John David Mann, my world-class coauthor. Thank you for listening to me talk about this book for over a decade and for believing we would do it when I was finally ready. Working with you on this has truly been a creative pleasure. Here’s to many more.
To our publishing team at Atria/Simon & Schuster. To Sarah Pelz, our editor, who connected with this story emotionally and is this book’s champion: thank you for caring so much. To Libby McGuire, our publisher, and our entire team at Atria, including Suzanne Donahue, Lindsay Sagnette, Kristin Fassler, Dana Trocker, Lisa Sciambra, Milena Brown, and Melanie Iglesias Pérez: thank you for all you have done and will do to make this book a global sensation.
To Paulo Coelho, who over dinner and drinks in Geneva asked me, “David, what will you write next?” When I told you my dream for this book, you smiled and said, “Then, David, you must write your book!” You have no idea how that simple smile and heartfelt look as you said those words have led to these pages. I am forever grateful to you for that evening and for your inspiring book The Alchemist.
And finally, to my family. To my grandmother Rose Bach: your inspiration and love led to my entire career and the life I have. I miss you every day. To my parents, Bobbi and Marty Bach, who have always cheered me and constantly asked me, “When are you writing The Latte Factor?”: thanks for always being there for me; you are truly the greatest parents a kid could ask for. To my wife, Alatia Bradley Bach: the moment I asked you to come start a new life with me and you said “YES” was the luckiest day of my life. You, too, have listened to me talk about this book for ten years, and not once did you question if I would do it but only when! Thank you for your love. To my two boys, Jack and James: being your father has been the greatest joy of my life. I know this will be a book the two of you will read first. I hope you will always listen to your hearts and your “little boys” and go for your dreams. No regrets, my sons. Your dad loves you now and always!