My mother always described each of her children as coming into the world in different (and sometimes very dramatic) ways. I have very little experience with children, but I can vouch for the fact that this is how writers feel about their books.
For the most part, I kept my head down when I was writing Here We Lie, holding the subject matter close and deflecting questions until it was well on its way. Sometimes, I’ve learned, when you set out to write one book, another idea keeps demanding to be heard. That happened with this story, which underwent various iterations in my mind and on paper before becoming the book you are holding in your hands. Here We Lie is a small part of a much larger conversation, and I’m humbled to submit my piece.
And just like raising a child (last time I’ll use that analogy, I promise), it took a small village to bring this book to life. The team at Park Row Books deserves my gratitude, especially Michelle Meade for her support and my editor, Liz Stein, for her wise (and so patient!) eye. Quinn Banting designed this amazing cover, and Heather Martin curbed my obsession with hyphens. I’m also grateful to those in marketing and publicity, especially Emer Flounders, who work tirelessly to promote authors and their books. Thanks, too, to the good people at Trident Media Group: Melissa Flashman believed in this book from day one, and Sarah Phair helped me cross the finish line.
I’m indebted to the Go Deep writers, especially Shanyn Vitti Avila, Yvonne Sanchez, Debbie Soro and Tim Buchanan, among others. It does my heart good to listen, share and laugh with you.
Beth Slattery and Kelly Jones selflessly read drafts of this novel and provided much-needed nudges in the right direction. Thanks also to Leah Dashe, Beth Boon and Sara Viss for wise insight and hand-holding. For his videography skills and general friendship, I’m grateful to Rob Brittain, who may or may not have moved out of state just to avoid me randomly showing up on his doorstep. For general listening and commiseration, thanks to the trivia crew at P. Wexford’s and the Del Monte Avenue Feature Film Freaks.
Every day, my students at the University of California, Merced, challenge me and make me a better teacher and human being. And—dare I say it?—they keep me young. Writing this book made me reminisce about my own experiences at Dordt College—so naive! So hopeful! I’m grateful to the roommates I had along the way: Sarah Bliss Bakker, Sarah Mosser, Stephanie Brown, Charity Lopez Heerema, Jodie Zwart, Jolene Van Dyke, Lisa Smit, Heidi Bakker and Melissa Phaneuf Lucania. We’re pretty much scattered around North America at this point, but I’d give anything to have us all together again.
And thank you, always, to my dear EGs. This last year—and the writing of this book—has cemented in me the belief in friendship and in each other. I’m a better person in every way for knowing all of you—Cameron Burton, Alisha Wilks-Vasche, Jenna Valponi, Whitney Fanjul, Laura Ochoa-Wilbur, Nichole Meyer, Amie Carter, Michelle Charpentier and Mary Swier.
Much love and appreciation goes to my Treick and DeBoard relations near and far. Three cheers for sisters and sisters-in-law—Debbie Miller, Beth Boon, Sara Viss, Heather DeBoard-Ayala and Christina DeBoard Young.
There are many others who I’m probably forgetting—it’s known around these parts as book brain—but with all my heart, I need to thank Will DeBoard. He always believes in me, even when I don’t believe in myself. Best, he makes me laugh—something I might forget to do otherwise.