Authors: Melinda Braun
Stranded (25 page)
I have been fantasizing about writing an acknowledgement page for over a decade. Because I knew even then that all things I've achieved in my life have never been done on my own. And I'm very lucky and very grateful to be surrounded by good people.
First, a huge thanks to my agent, Hannah Bowman, who not only plucked me from the slush pile, but stuck with me through countless ideas and drafts, and coached me and rallied for me and invested hours, weeks, months, and years firmly believing we would get to this point.
Secondly, to my editor Nicole Ellul at Simon Pulse, for being so incredibly enthusiastic about this story when it was only a handful of pages and a vague synopsis. Your dedication is inspiring and infectious and made this story 1000 percent better than where it started. Readers see the finished project, but they never see all the work it took to get there.
And thanks to everyone on the Simon team who put their time and effort into this book, especially Brian Luster and his insane copyediting skills. Thank you for making my writing sound coherent. Someday I may finally learn how to single space between sentences.
Thank you to my big brother, Jimmy, who took me kayaking for the first time, and told me how to make a watch into a compass. Now I know how to find my way home, as long as it's sunny out.
And most of all, thank you to my husband, Matt, and my daughter, Senaâmy little north star. With you in my life I will never be lost.
MELINDA BRAUN
grew up in Wisconsin and received her bachelor degrees in psychology and English from the University of Minnesota. She currently lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and daughter. Although she loves hiking and camping, she does not enjoy portaging canoes. This is her first novel.
SIMON PULSE
Simon & Schuster, New York
Visit us at
TEEN.SimonandSchuster.com
Thank you for reading this eBook.
Find out about free book giveaways, exclusive content, and amazing sweepstakes! Plus get updates on your favorite books, authors, and more when you join the Simon & Schuster Teen mailing list.
or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com/teen
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
SIMON PULSE
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
First Simon Pulse hardcover edition August 2015
Text copyright © 2015 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Jacket photo-illustration copyright © 2015 by Steve Gardner/Pixelworks Studios
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
SIMON PULSE and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or
[email protected]
.
The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event.
For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at
www.simonspeakers.com
.
Jacket designed by Jessica Handelman
Interior designed by Mike Rosamilia
Author photo by Matthew Braun
The text of this book was set in Goudy Old Style.
This book has been cataloged with the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-4814-3819-3 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-4814-3821-6 (eBook)
