The very first seeds of Lakesedge were planted many years ago, in a short story I wrote during my honors year at the University of Adelaide. Seeing that story transform into a published book has been such a wonderful process, and I am eternally thankful for all of the people who helped bring it to life.
Firstly I’d like to pay my respects to the Peramangk people, the traditional owners of the lands where I grew up, and which inspired so much of the environment in Lakesedge, and to the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the lands where I live now.
To my agent, Jill Grinberg, thank you for falling in love with the early, untamed version of Lakesedge and for believing in me as we worked through so many rounds of revision. You’ve taken such great care with my book, and I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate. Thank you as well to the entire team at Jill Grinberg Literary Management, especially Denise Page for your help and input, and Sam Farkas for your foreign rights magic.
To Tiff Liao, words cannot express how lucky I feel to have you as my editor. Your insightful advice has taught me so much about writing. I love how much you’ve always understood and celebrated the dark, romantic heart of my book. Thank you for indulging my enthusiasm for monster boyfriends and endless amounts of kissing scenes. I truly appreciate all your hard work and the time you’ve given to me and my story.
To the entire team at Henry Holt BYR and Mac Kids, I’m so grateful for all you’ve done to bring my book into the world. Rich Deas, thank you for creating the most gloriously gothic cover I’ve ever seen. I will forever be in love with your illustration of Leta! Brian Luster, your copyedits were a delight, and I am still smiling at how you pointed out the biggest flaw in the Lord Under’s plan—if only you had been the one making a bargain … Mark Podesta, your eleventh-hour support has been wonderful. And to Morgan Rath, thank you so much for your publicity magic, and for helping Lakesedge reach the hands of readers. Thanks also go to Ann Marie Wong, Teresa Ferraiolo, and Mandy Veloso.
To the team at Pan Macmillan Australia, debuting in my home country is a dream come true! Thank you to Claire Craig, my wonderful editor, and to Brianne Collins, Candice Wyman, and Kate Butler, for all your work on the Australian edition of Lakesedge.
To Cat Camacho, Lydia Gittins, and the entire team at Titan UK, thank you for helping Lakesedge find such a perfect home in the UK. I’m so excited to be one of your spooky books!
To the booksellers and librarians who were my earliest readers—Cristina Maria Russell at Books & Books, Kiersten Frost at Brookline Booksmith, Kel Russell at Barnes & Noble Indiana, Rachel Strolle at Glenside Public Library, Dymocks Adelaide and the YA circle—thank you for your incredible support. And to the authors who generously provided blurbs—Juliet Marillier, April Tucholke, Emily Lloyd-Jones, S.T. Gibson, and Dawn Kurtagich—I am so appreciative of your time, your advice, and your generosity in reading my book. You’ve all inspired me so much, and it was a privilege to share my writing with you.
To Kim Smejkal, thank you for guiding me through my very first revisions, and for being a grounding presence as I entered the chaotic world of publishing. You saw potential in the roughest, wildest draft of my book and I would not have made it this far without your help.
Life as a debut author can be such a storm of chaos, but I am so glad to have such wonderful friends to share this journey. Jess Rubinkowski, Cyla Panin, Jessica Olson, Lauren Blackwood, Ashley Shuttleworth, and everyone in the Monsters & Magic group—I am so glad to be here alongside you and your wonderful stories. Jenny Anderson, Kelly Andrew, Elora Cook, TJ Duckworth, Jo Fenning, Jordan Gray, Melissza Havas, Lillie Lainoff, Nat Lockett, Meryn Lobb, Leah Tesch, Emily Thiede, Ashley Schumacher, and Sarah Street—you were some of the earliest readers of Lakesedge and I can’t thank you all enough for your enthusiasm and kindness.
Cass Francis, although you’re an ocean away, in my heart we are sitting in a grungy Melbourne bar drinking gin cocktails. Cat Bakewell, cheerleader extraordinaire, you fill this world with joy and your wisdom has been so uplifting. Alex Huffman, thank you for your art, for loving my book, and all your graphic design magic. Elizabeth Unseth, you are the best and I’m so glad we have shared our love of writing about terrible girls who want to kiss equally terrible villains. Saint Gibson, you are an inspiration and I adore you. Kit Mayquist, you have infused my life with magic. Ivelisse Housman, I am forever grateful for your enthusiasm, your kindness, and your gorgeous illustrations of Rowan and Leta.
To Katrine Williamson, Cait O’Callaghan, and Mhairi Tocher—your friendship over the past decade has meant everything. Thank you for your support, all the coffee dates, and for reminding me to come out into the real world every now and then.
To my family—I love you all so much. Barry, you’ve been here alongside me watching as I persisted in what often felt like an impossible dream. Thank you for giving me time to write, for understanding when I was a chaotic mess on deadline, and for always encouraging me to keep going. Felix and Orson, seeing how much you’ve grown to love writing your own stories fills my heart with joy. Kim, thank you for always supporting me to embrace my creativity. Mum, thank you for fostering my love of reading, for all of the bedtime stories and trips to the library. And thank you for all of your help babysitting while I worked—I couldn’t have done this without your support.
And to Dad, thank you for a childhood where I could watch you work actual magic with plants. You inspired the alchemy in Leta’s garden.