It’s true what they say: the first draft is nothing like the final book. Chloe Cates Is Missing was a wild ride from conception to production, and I am grateful to have so many people in my corner who helped me discover this firsthand.
To my husband, Sean, thank you for keeping the kids busy with countless games of Go Fish and War, trips to the playground, and superhero gym classes so I could throw myself into revisions and edits. More than that, thank you for being my Huckleberry and always being the first to read my words.
Mackenzie and Jack, thank you for being so excited that I write “scary chapter books” and keeping me company while I write. This book wouldn’t have been the same without Lego piles and Barbie games. Love you 3,000.
To my amazing agent, Anne Tibbets, I am forever grateful for your guidance and support. The journey was strange and winding, but I couldn’t ask for a better person to help champion Chloe Cates into the world.
From beginning to end, it has been a privilege working with Luisa Smith and the team at Scarlet Suspense. Luisa, your keen editorial eye has been invaluable. Thank you for believing in Chloe Cates as much as I do.
Like many others, I’ve wanted to be an author since grade school, and I was lucky to have a father who encouraged me to read often. Dad, thank you for years of Barnes and Nobles gift certificates, for driving me to Walden’s for my first Goosebumps books, and for giving me a paperback copy of Misery when I was ten.
Along those lines, to my little brothers, Mike and Trev, thanks for asking me to tell you bedtime stories and not being too traumatized when they were recaps of Are You Afraid of the Dark? episodes.
To my family and friends, thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement, especially during these uncertain times. Finishing a novel during the pandemic was nuts, and I couldn’t have done it without your love.
I also had some excellent teachers who helped me realize my love for writing. Dan Hayes, thank you for emphasizing the basics despite my surly teenage attitude about spelling tests and grammar checks and inspiring me to explore my own writing. Ann Ryan and the entire Le Moyne College English department, you pushed me to be a better writer, taught me the importance of constructive criticism and the value in never being afraid to ask a question. And to the wonderful professors and peers of the College of Saint Rose English program, thanks for enduring my melodramatic short story drafts and limericks.
To Austra, Meg, Kaitlyn, Katelyn, Jenn, and Amy, thank you for reading random chapters and helping me laugh when I got too stressed. From Tik-Toks to memes to unflattering selfie mode candids, you guys are the best.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to the writing communities on Twitter. I had no clue when I joined that I’d find so many talented writers I’m lucky enough to call my friends.
Last but not least, thank you, thank you, thank you to the readers, bloggers, reviewers, librarians, and indie book shops that help spread the word about books like mine.