Hourglass (26 page)

Acknowledgments

I
was just telling Ethan (known as The Husband) the other day that my mind is so full of stories I can’t even remember what’s on the takeout menu from the Chinese place. If I’ve forgotten to thank you, it’s not you, it’s me. Probably.

Thanks to:

My agent, Holly Root. The words
molten lava holy cats
changed the game. You changed my life. I am forever grateful.

My editor, Regina Griffin. I will always remember our first phone call, when I realized you loved my people like I did, and that we were completely on the same page when it came to this story. I am beyond lucky to have you—I am blessed.

Everyone at Egmont USA. Alison Weiss, Katie Halata, Nico Medina, Mary Albi, Elizabeth Law, Greg Ferguson, Rob Guzman, and Doug Pocock. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have you as my publishers. Your passion for excellent stories and for your authors sets you apart. Thank you.

My copy editor, Nora Reichard. I feel like I should offer an apology for all my mistakes instead of a thank-you for your meticulous work. (Thanks also for the “LOL”s in the comments. Those were my favorite.)

I don’t think I’ll ever stop looking at the
Hourglass
cover, and it’s all due to designer Alison Chamberlain, and master of perfection, Greg Ferguson. (I was going to add that I make out with the cover daily, but that would be inappropriate.)

There are sales reps, co-agents, and editors out there who I’ll never meet. Thank you for your work, and for believing in
Hourglass
. Thank you to everyone at Waxman Literary, especially Lindsey Kennedy, for being so sweet when I call, and for helping me navigate all the crazy forms!

There are readers, and there are readers who are cheerleaders and friends. C.J. Redwine, Kimberly Pauley, M.G. Buehrlen, and Bente Gallagher were some of the first, and some of the best. Special thanks to C.J. for not running when I chased her down the hall that Sunday to ask if she was really a writer, and for the Ninja Root recommendation.

Katie Bartow, Sophie Riggsby, Saundra Mitchell, and Jen Lamoureux. Your e-mails and friendships keep me going. *gives you all a BinBons clone* *and a hug*

Rachel Hawkins and Victoria Schwab. What would I do without you two? I don’t even.

Beth Revis. You’re kind of a big deal. And not just to me.

Jessica Katina, LeeAnne Blair, and Amelia Moore. You know me, and yet you still love me. How blessed am I? (And the smile in my author photo is thanks to these three.)

If I listed the reasons to thank the following people, we’d be here until the sequel comes out. But I owe bushels to Sally Peterson, Sam Pullara, Leigh Menninger, Kate Hart, Shannon Messenger, Lori Joffs, Coryell Opdahl, Tammy Jones, Jen Corum, Jen Root, Jen Phillips, Jody Boyer, Chad and Meghan Stout, Tracy Carter, Laine and Brian Bennett, Karen Gudgen, Jessica Sendewicz, and Dian Belbeck.

There are a few teachers who always believed, even when I didn’t. Dr. Sandra Ballard, I hope you enjoy your namesakes. Mrs. Peggy Crabtree, you endured me twice with a smile on your face. Or was that a grimace? Coach Aubrey, O captain! My captain! Mrs. GeeGee Hillman, you saw something in an eight-year-old girl she couldn’t see in herself. Your little turtle finally crossed the finish line.

Keith and Deborrah McEntire. This book wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for you and your grandchildren-herding skills. Thank you for giving me your boy, and loving my boys. Also, to Elton and Mandy McEntire, for being the best uncle and aunt ever.

Wayne and Martha Simmons. Thank you for making Trixie Belden books my reward for learning my multiplication tables (even though I can’t go higher than times three to this day without help), for taking me to the bookstore every Friday night, for letting me have my way with my imagination, and most of all for loving me.

Andrew and Charlie. I love you to the depths of my very soul. All the book deals in the world wouldn’t be worth it if I couldn’t share them with my boys.

Finally, Ethan. What a journey, and how happy I am to have made it with you. I love you, Mackydoodle. (Shut up. You know I had to say it.)