Ink and Ashes (33 page)

As a debut author, writing acknowledgments has been an overwhelming task. Admittedly, each one of these was punctuated with tears of gratitude.

P.W., Pucca, Sunshine, & Punky, for your long-suffering and love. Let’s go to Disneyland.

Mom & Dad, for supporting me through the hard times, even harder times, and the hardest of times. Thank you for believing in me and never giving up. Kristen & Cristi, for being amazing beta readers and even better sisters. To Ashley, for making our family complete and for turning eighteen. To Kellie-Ann & Kristie-Ann, for being my cheerleaders and for loving my characters.

My brothers, for all the priceless memories. Thank you, Todd, for filming/producing my book trailer; Troy, for medical explanations; and the Langfords & Russos of my life: Jacob, Andrew, Sam, Ben, Derik & Isaiah.

The SIX: Brodi Ashton, Sara Bolton, Kimberly Webb Reid, Emily Wing Smith, & Bree Despain, for helping me get here. You are my dearest friends and the best & most talented writing group in the world.

Christian McKay Heidicker, my rotten better half, for being a dream to work with and one of the most talented writers I know. We did this together, and I can’t imagine making the journey without you. Many of the times I have laughed the hardest have been moments we shared. I love your guts. Literally.

The book trailer crew, for helping me bring my book to the screen even though this story was still in its infancy. Brian Ray, for your amazing artwork and undying friendship. Kimiko Miyashima, for letting me claim you as my little sister & donating your acting skills. Chris Luker, Jeff Miller, Jacob Cavanaugh, Ben Lonsdale, Sam Lindeman, Alex Runolfson, Andrew Hercules, Jake Lindeman, Jon Orr, for lending me your time & talents.

All my mentors: A.E. Cannon, Kimberley Heuston, Carol Lynch Williams, Cheri Pray Earl, Martine Leavitt, Ann Dee Ellis, Louise Plummer, Sara Zarr, Sydney Salter, Mette Ivie Harrison, & Rock Canyon for teaching me the basics of writing and even more important, the not-so-basics.

Dusty Heuston, for everything. Thank you for your words of wisdom, support, inspiration, guidance & for allowing me to be a mother first.

Mark Bromley, for your infinite biology wisdom, and Masaji Watabe, for help with the Japanese translation.

John M. Cusick, for taking on the burden of “hottest agent ever” and saying the title was pretty much standard boilerplate at the agency. John, you had me at “If anyone tries to steal you from me, I will garrote them.” I knew immediately it was a perfect match.

Everyone at Lee & Low and Tu Books, for your faith in my writing, your hard work, & your mission to diversify children’s literature so kids can see themselves in books in a way I never did. Thank you for “picking me” as the New Visions Award winner! There are no words adequate enough to articulate what an honor it is. Stacy Whitman, my fearless editor, for raising my book from the dead and breathing life into its words. Thank you for your patience and for carting my manuscript with you on the train, on the weekends, through the rain, and in your heart. You are brilliant, and it’s been a privilege to work with you.

And to all my readers everywhere, for taking the time to read my book.