I FEEL THAT before anything else, I should thank the River Wharf. I’m sure a number of readers have correctly identified the Narrow as the fictional American cousin of the famed Bolton Strid, a lovely and deadly stretch of water that forms a small section of the River Wharf in England. I hope the locals (and local spirits) don’t mind that I have borrowed a pale reflection of it to haunt my woods.
So many people have had a hand in bringing this book to its readers, but this time around I’d like to shine a special spotlight on Maggie Rosenthal, who has been my editor since I Am Still Alive and who has never failed to provide the kind of editorial insight and partnership you dream of as an author. She has been collaborative, kind, clever, and wise; I talk about “our” books, and it’s absolutely true. They would not be the same books and I would not be the same writer if Maggie had not spotted the potential in I Am Still Alive and helped transform it into the story it became. Maggie is frequently involved from the very earliest stages of developing and choosing ideas to pursue, and her edit letters are always delightful (once I get over melting into a dramatic puddle because no, I didn’t manage to write a flawless first draft and yes, that is twelve single-spaced pages of edits to tackle, which Maggie sadistically refers to as “light notes,” the monster).
As always, I owe a huge thanks to the whole of the No Name Writing Group—Shanna Germain, Erin M. Evans, Susan Morris, Rhiannon Held, Corry L. Lee, and Rashida Smith—for their insight, compassion, cheerleading, and good humor. And special thanks as well to Susan, who held my hand (metaphorically speaking) through what was a difficult drafting process, going above and beyond to help me tease apart the emotional tangle of Eden’s heart. And thank you to Lauren Spieller, my tireless agent, who has been a fantastic partner and guide and manages to make navigating the publishing industry feel almost sensible and straightforward at least half the time, which is basically superhuman. My love and gratitude as always go to my family—especially Mike, for making me all those Manhattans.
Finally, for all the skill, talent, dedication, and elbow grease everyone at Viking has contributed—thank you to everyone who has put the effort in to make this book a reality: Maggie Rosenthal, Jim Hoover, Marinda Valenti, Sola Akinlana, Abigail Powers, Kristin Boyle and Elaine Demasco, and Kaitlin Kneafsey. And to those whose names I don’t know or have lost in the brambles of my weary brain but who have contributed their efforts along the way.