Dreamstrider (39 page)

I open my eyes.

Acknowledgments

This story took everything short of black magic rituals and malevolent chanting to wrangle into a booklike shape, and I know better than to embark on my journey into the dark bookish arts alone.
Dreamstrider
would not exist without the aid of some amazing souls:

Leah Raeder and Ellen Goodlett, who cheered this book on from its weird beginnings, bludgeoned away my doubts, and demanded more kissing scenes. You’re the best crit partners I could ever dream up.

My brilliant, unflappable agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette, who answers my most banal and most bonkers emails with equal amounts of enthusiasm. Thank you so much for finding me.

Katherine Jacobs, my editor and champion, who never shies away from calling me out on my hand waving, but always manages to fall in love with the story I’m trying to write—even if it’s not all there yet.

The rest of the Macmillan Children’s/Fierce Reads team: Molly Brouilliette, publicist extraordinaire; Caitlin Sweeney; Katie Fee; Lauren Burniac; touring saviors Mary van Akin, Gina Gagliano, Nicole Banholzer, and Ksenia Wennicki (team werewolves unite!); and Elizabeth H. Clark and NastPlas, who gave me this stunning cover I can’t stop drooling over.

The Fourteenery, who always temper my bouts of insanity, and inspire me to no end. Throw some Os.

The awesome DC YA community-slash-therapy group. You are all so talented and grounded and wonderful. In particular, Jessica Spotswood, Miranda Kenneally, Robin Talley, Caroline Richmond, and Andrea Coulter strike the perfect balance of genius discussion and well-curated cheese boards.

Everyone else who gave me wonderful notes and encouragement on this weird little book: Katie Locke (
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), Audrey Crass, Suzie Townsend, and Molly Jaffa. Thank you so much for your time and thoughts. My writing career would not exist, either, without the tireless work of Weronika Janczuk, Mandy Hubbard, and Bob Diforio. You are true dreamshapers.

Accountabilibuddy Dahlia Adler, without whom I’d be a sad, unproductive lump. You inspire (and scare) the crap outta me. Let’s Knope it up.

Mom and Dad, for the early writing encouragement and the finest word processing technology 1990 had to offer; Grandma, for the grocery bags full of paperbacks; and Cooper, for being my snuggly Sheltie writing buddy (and for the keyboard covered in dog hair).

And my husband, Jason, whose endless patience and knack for untangling knotty plots are unmatched. I love our life. I love you.