PODs (45 page)

The team at Spencer Hill Press, you rock! You are a group of extremely talented individuals and I’m so grateful that you shared your talent with me and PODs. Kate and Danielle Ellison, your ideas and insights were epic. I loved them all and they made PODs a stronger story. To my editors, Kate Kaynak, Danielle Ellison, Rich “The Closer” Storrs, Shira Lipkin, and Kathryn Radzik—wow! What can I say about what you do? Combing over every word, period, comma and run-on sentence is exacting and exhausting work. It takes a special person to put so much detailed effort into a project. Thank you. You made PODs sparkle. I’d been told by authors at different publishing houses that editing was a nightmare. I guess I’m lucky. You made editing a joy. Thanks also to Rebecca Mancini, my foreign and film rights agent, and to Kendra Saunders, my publicity and marketing coordinator, for everything you have done to get the word out.

The wonderful bloggers who featured PODs on their blogs, you have no idea how instrumental you are in an author’s, and a book’s, success. Author interviews, book spotlights, cover reveals, virtual blog tours, blog hops and memes such as Waiting on Wednesday, Swoon Thursday and Six Sentence Sunday, to name just a few, are appreciated by me, and a multitude of other authors. It takes a great deal of time to keep up a blog. Thank you for giving some of your time to PODs. I’m forever indebted to you.

Professor Arnold, of Baker College, you were the only instructor in my school career who encouraged my writing. You told me I had talent and always gave the most encouraging comments on each of my writing assignments. You recognized how shy and reluctant I was to have people read my writing, so you never made me wait for a grade, always passing me my assignment first so I didn’t sit and bite my fingernails to the quick! And when you
gave
me my first “A” in an English course, you made a point to tell me that you didn’t give me anything—I earned it. You probably didn’t know how much you touched my life. Thank you for being the outstanding professor that you are. There would be no PODs if it wasn’t for your encouragement. It started with you, and for that I’ll be eternally grateful.

I’ve saved the best for last. As I’ve written this acknowledgement page, my mind has wandered to ways I can word my next thank you. Unfortunately, I wasn’t granted a great epiphany. All I can say is my biggest thank you goes to my readers. I am truly honored and blessed that you chose to spend your time reading PODs. I’m continually amazed and humbled by your excitement and support. There are no words to express my thanks and gratitude. I hope we will share many more worlds and adventures together in the future.

All my best and happy reading,

A very thankful Michelle

About the Author

Reading was one of Michelle’s earliest passions, writing soon followed. She began writing seriously during college where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why she chose a career field that frowns on creativity remains a mystery.

She’s addicted to Reese’s peanut butter cups and eats way too many while she writes, has an abnormal obsession with hoodies and can’t write without one, and hates to cook, but loves to watch cooking shows on television. An unabashed romantic, she loves a swoon-worthy happy ending that will give her butterflies for days.

Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, she now lives in a quiet community outside Houston, Texas with her incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three school-aged children, a 125-pound “lap” dog and a snooty cat.

Michelle writes young adult urban fantasy, science fiction and paranormal romances. Keep up-to-date with her current and future projects at
www.Michelle-Pickett.com
.

Michelle always loves to hear from her readers!