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The work of fiction you’re holding in your hands wouldn’t have been possible without contribution from everyone named in this section. Writing a book is more than just storytelling. It is an accomplishment that takes development, refinement, and, above all, encouragement. The individuals named here provided one or more of all of these. I give gratitude...
To my wife, Seenu. Not an hour or a minute or a moment passes without my thinking of how lucky I am to have you. Each day that the sun rises, my love for you grows. This has been the case since May 1, 2018. Your unbreakable support and boundless love is the anchor of my devotion to you. Never forget: you are the ember that gives warmth to my heart and light to my soul.
To my parents. Raising a child is possibly the hardest job in this world, particularly a child as hard-headed and unpredictable as myself. But there hasn’t been a day since my birth that I haven’t felt loved and encouraged and supported. By all accounts, you’ve mastered parenting. I love you so much.
To my brother and sister-in-law, Bilal and Anusha. One of the integral themes of this novel is the love amongst siblings. I could never have weaved a word of it without having had the experience myself. Thank you for the inspiration, thank you for never giving up on me, and thank you for two of the greatest gifts I, and this world, have ever received.
To Ayaan and Aleeza. One day, when you’re old enough (in shaa Allah), Chachu will let you read his first book. The hope is, by then, you have a packed bookshelf and a love of literature. Chachu loves you both so much.
To both my maternal and paternal grandparents. The roots of our family tree, and the ones who taught me the true meaning of bravery. None of my characters could have taken their fictional journeys, had I not known of your courageous, real ones. I, and generations of descendants after me, owe everything to you and your decisions.
To the many aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family members who’ve had such a central role in my upbringing, and the shaping of my worldview. I’m lucky to have been raised as a swimmer treading in an ocean of love.
To Daniel Tilley. Raging wildfires begin with the smallest sparks. My publishing dreams were only realized after you sparked my passion for writing once again. I am forever indebted to you. A talented critique partner and photographer, a humble mentor and person, and above all, the very best kind of friend. Thank you for everything, Daniel.
To my readers: Noelle Riley, Rose Thomson, and Rebecca Coffindaffer. The story could’ve never been whittled down to its core without you. Thank you for all of your time and efforts!
To the consultants of my world-building: Gee Rothvoss, Maseeha Seedat, Ryota Ochi, and 凌危贊 of Shiranui Editorial. There’s a significant kind of hesitation when building fictional cultures based on some of the richest and most beautiful cultures in the real-world. I was desperate to capture so many aspects of Japanese and Spanish tradition and society as authentically, and with as much dignity, as possible. I hope I succeeded. Thanks to all of you, I hope the wonderful people of Japan and Spain can feel proud of the igni and mari characters we see in the book.
To my cartographer: Alexandra. Thank you so very much for bringing the All-Sphere to the page!
To my very first friend on Bookstagram, and in the indie publishing world: Katrina N. Lewis. I don’t think I have the words to genuinely express all you’ve done for me. You gave me confidence when I needed it, you gave me guidance in crafting Unisa’s experience as a Black woman who grew up away from her culture and home, and you supported me when I was just some random guy popping into your DMs with a thousand questions about publishing. And you never made me feel rejected. Your grace, your patience, and your friendship are unmatched. Thank you, Katrina, for everything.
To my developmental editor, mentor, and very good friend: LJ Stanton. It truly feels as though fate was at work the day I happened to come across a Reddit post from a young woman who had posted about publishing her debut novel. I had started writing my own debut novel just a few days before I came across her post. Something took hold of my hand and forced me to message her with thousands of questions, and not only did she respond to each one, but she encouraged me to start my own author instagram account for marketing. Every connection, every conversation, and every ounce of support I’ve received since has been thanks to LJ. There hasn’t been a day that’s gone by in three years, that I’ve encountered a writing, editing, or publishing problem, and haven’t thought “What would LJ advise me to do?” LJ has never failed to make me feel like I can do anything. She is a light in this world, and truly one of the most talented storytellers I’ve ever known. Thank you, LJ, for being one of my dearest friends, for the endless guidance, and for never letting me forget that anything is possible.
To my copy editor and friend: Rebecca Scharpf at Scrollwork Edits. If anyone reads through this novel and realizes how polished and meticulous the editing is, you can thank Rebecca for that. I certainly do. Rebecca’s professionalism and glaring expertise is like nothing I’ve seen before in the publishing world, and I mean that for both independent and traditionally-published books. She is an editing master and extraordinaire, and to put it frankly, your book would be lucky to be touched by her. Mine was. Thank you, Rebecca, for applying your mastery of the written word to my humble little tale, and launching it to heights I never knew it was capable of.
To my friend and editor: Emmie Hamilton. It is difficult, or nearly impossible, not to fall in love with Emmie Hamilton’s inspired storytelling. I first reached out to Emmie on the day of her debut novel’s release. As I did with so many, I bombarded her with questions regarding independent publishing, and was met with the most open-hearted, graceful, and generous responses I’d ever received. Not only is Emmie a master at crafting a story (read her books, please), but she is, sincerely, one of the most genuine and warm people I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking to. We’ve connected through a lot of humor and a few unfortunate typos over the years, and one thing has remained true through all of it: Emmie Hamilton’s brilliance is not only a blessing to the writing community, but to this world. Thank you, Emmie, for every word and DM and voice message we’ve exchanged over the past three years. This book would’ve never made it to release, and I never would’ve become a published author, without you.
And finally, last, but most certainly not least, to the two greatest book besties I could have ever asked for: Ciara Hartford and Essie Rowley. I think, for the first time in my life, I’m speechless. How does one put into words what is meaningful about his friendship with two people who are the lighthouses that guide his ship to shore when he finds himself adrift? How many times throughout this writing and publishing journey have I found myself in emotional turmoil, only for the two of you to reach into the depths and bring me back? How do I qualify or quantify or verbalize that if I can raise the flag of being a published author, it is only because I’m hoisted on your shoulders?
In the early days of my Author Instagram, I somehow came across a single piece of art that, unbeknownst to me at the time, would change my life. It spoke to me, and I knew at that moment, whoever drew it, was the artist I would want to design my book’s cover. Not because my book was worthy (to this day, I know it isn’t), but because I knew that I had found the most talented artist I had ever seen. That was Ciara Hartford, and I will forever be indebted to her for agreeing to be my cover designer, because what followed has become one of the dearest friendships I’ve ever known. Thank you for agreeing to do, not only this cover, but the covers for all of my books moving forward.
Shortly after, I again happened across a post about a book called People Like Us; it was a short summer romance story from a new-ish writing account. This wasn’t the typical genre that I read, but something was driving me to it, telling me that it was special. And that, “something,” was right. Every word that Essie Rowley carefully places onto the page, from People Like Us, to I’m Telling the Truth, to Papercut, and beyond, is filled with her indelible and unique style. She may not write fantasy, but everything Essie writes is magic. Beyond her storytelling talents, Essie is the kind of friend and person that brings light to everyone who has the good fortune to interact with her. She is kind and humble and selfless, and we are all better, just for being alive in the world at the same time as Essie Rowley.
Ciara and Essie, thank you for reminding me that while so much can be done alone, none of it is worth it without the friends who keep you going. You both kept me going when I needed you most. Writing, editing, and publishing aside, you both have become two of the greatest friends I could’ve ever asked for, and I cannot wait to continue supporting you, in any and all endeavors, for many years to come.