Backwards (25 page)

A few years ago a woman wrote me a letter in which she thanked me for writing
The Secret to Lying
because it helped her understand her son better — her son who killed himself when he was eighteen. That letter deeply saddened me. It also changed me. I hadn’t considered
The Secret to Lying
to be a book about suicide, but receiving that letter helped me realize the necessity for writers to take risks and grapple with difficult issues. Without the courage and honesty of that woman, and others like her who are brave enough to risk sharing their stories of loss, bullying, and sexual assault, this book would not exist.

I’m also grateful to all the friends, family, and editors who helped me untie the many knots that formed in my head as I was working on this book. Special thanks go to:

Jen Yoon, for seeing the heart of the story and for taking the time to push me at least three drafts beyond what I would have done on my own.

Ginger Knowlton, for being an incredible agent and all-around excellent human being. Knowing you makes me happy.

The fabulous folks at Candlewick Press, for believing in this book. I especially want to thank Liz Bicknell, for editing some of my all-time favorite authors and deciding to take a chance on me. Carter Hasegawa for always being in touch and shepherding this book through several copyedits (sorry about those last-minute changes). Erin DeWitt for being an incredible copyeditor. Hannah Mahoney for her considerable copyediting skills. Nathan Pyritz for the creative interior design. Kathryn Cunningham for the alluring jacket design. And all the other fine folks at Candlewick who work tirelessly to publish some of the best books in the business.

My writing partners, especially Laura Resau, Amy Kathleen Ryan, Victoria Hanley, Trai Cartwright, and Lauren Sabel for giving me advice, encouragement, and support (while also writing kick-ass books that I love to read).

My fellow teachers at Colorado State University who’ve supported my writing.

Cloud Cult, Sigur Rós, and Iron and Wine, for the music that kept me going on this one.

My parents and my sister, for constant support and much-needed vacations. Marc and Nancy Eglin, for the summer writing retreat. And my daughters, Addison and Cailin, for reminding me of what matters most every day.

Finally, I want to thank my wife, Kerri, for reading this more times than I can count, being both muse and creator, and for keeping me from floating away. You are the little light in the sparkling neighborhood below who calls me back to earth.

Whatever you’re going through, there are people who want to listen and support you. Here are just a few places you might visit or call:

Call, speak out, take a risk, and take action. You are not alone.

www.candlewick.com