I wrote the earliest draft of As If on Cue in 2018 over the course of one summer, in a world where the sound of drafting was the white noise of a local coffee shop, where brainstorm sessions with friends were in-person, where research was getting spontaneous rush tickets to a Broadway show. Even during the hard parts, drafting this story about a struggling high school theater program and championing the arts was pure joy. I thought I had conquered Second Book Syndrome.
Then, Broadway went dark on March 12, 2020—and that was one of the first real wake-up calls, to me at least, that oh… this is serious. And while my characters live in an alternate universe that revolves around live theater—the process of revising this book very much existed in the reality that was 2020. To say it was difficult is a massive understatement. As If on Cue exists thanks to the support and encouragement from my team, family, and friends. It truly took a village—thank you, thank you, thank you.
Taylor Haggerty, you are the best cheerleader and advocate in the business. Thank you for your clear-eyed guidance and assurance that I will be okay in a year when debut anxiety took on a whole new meaning. Your wisdom and positivity is such a light. To the entire Root Literary team—I am forever grateful to be a part of this family.
Alexa Pastor, thank you for championing this story and loving Natalie and Reid as much as I do. Your enthusiasm and thoughtful guidance bring the best out in my writing. I am a better storyteller for working with you and I am so proud of what we created!
To the entire BFYR team—Justin Chanda, Anne Zafian, Kendra Levin, Karen Masnica, Lisa Moraleda, Katrina Groover, Chava Wolin, Michelle Leo, and Kristie Choi—thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do behind the scenes. Thank you to my publicists, Chantal Gersch and Milena Giunco, for everything you do to help my books find their perfect readers. And a massive thank-you to the art and design team—Krista Vossen for designing a romcom cover that dreams are made of and Carolina Melis for illustrating Natalie and Reid so perfectly.
To the people I wouldn’t survive publishing without—Kelsey Rodkey, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Carlyn Greenwald, Auriane Desombre, Haley Neil, Sonia Hartl, Tara Tsai, Rosiee Thor, and Al Graziadei. Thank you for reading As If on Cue during various stages and always being a sounding board during the creative process. You’re all such talented writers and amazing friends—this book is so much stronger for your feedback.
2020 debuts—what a debut year it turned out to be! I’m so thankful for the friendships made and solidarity found in our debut group. I can’t wait to meet you all in person someday. Cameron Lund and Martha Waters, my 4/7 agent sisters—thank you for being down to organize joint events / commiserate / celebrate small wins. I swear, we’re bonded for life.
To readers, bloggers, bookstagrammers, booksellers, and librarians—thank you for all the work you do to connect books with readers! Thank you for finding joy in my books and sharing that joy. In what has been an entirely virtual author experience, your tweets and tags are a reminder that all of this is real. I can’t wait to meet you at events one day!
As If on Cue is a love letter to high school theater, so I’d be remiss to not shout out my theater program. Debra Wald, Zac Broken Rope, and Sarah Cullen—thank you for helming our small but mighty drama club. To the cast and crew of Hotel Vladimir, our ridiculous play that could was the inspiration for this story.
Sam, you are my person. I absolutely did not know what I was getting into when you approached me with a script—but collaborating with you was one of the best decisions I ever made. I love you.
And finally, to my family—thank you for your unwavering support and love. Vanessa, thank you for always being down to listen to my ideas in their earliest stages. I know I have a great first line when it meets your high standards. Mom and Dad, thank you for taking all my dreams seriously and always showing up—be it for dance recitals, school plays, or navigating Zoom and Instagram for author events. We don’t choose our family. Every day I’m so thankful that you’re mine.