Jerkbait (22 page)

Acknowledgments

I
’m incredibly grateful to the people who made
Jerkbait—
and my dream of becoming an author—possible.

My editor, McKelle George: thank you for your unending patience and willingness to explain things, repeatedly, until I “got it.” I possibly drove you nuts along the way with my questions, but your willingness to explain really helped me.

The entire Jolly Fish Press team, especially Chris, Zach, Alexis, Kayla, Kelsy, TJ, and Reece. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

My amazing agent, Travis Pennington. To have you believe in
Jerkbait
from its first paragraph meant everything to me. Thank you for always having my back.

My wonderful family, you have stuck with me through the hard times and never let me give up on my dreams, no matter what they were. I might not have been able to make the Olympics, but becoming an author is equally satisfying, perhaps even more so as now I’m much more human.

My Goddard family, I tear up any time I think of you, your amazing words, your wisdom, and your, “YOU CAN DO IT!” You taught me how to turn the competition off and become a better person, and, in turn, a much better writer.

Kale Night, my best friend, my chupacabra, the Eiri to my Tohma. You saved me from a dark place with a Sigur Rós album and encouraged me to become a novelist when I was lost.

David Williamson, my fiancé, my beta, my confidant, thank you for making me re-evaluate what I needed to do, the last kick in the ass I needed so I could succeed, and your willingness to help me, especially with the musical research.

Additional thanks to Mark Spencer, David Galef, Cat Ide, and Traci Dolan-Priestley for taking time out to help me, whether it was through discussing concept, editing, proofreading, or taking a chance on a (then) stranger.

A special thanks to the You Can Play organization, especially Patrick Burke and Anna Aagenes. Your support for LGBTQ athletes is changing—and saving—lives. This shout-out extends to all of the professional athletes who are standing up for equality.

And last, but not least, I thank you, the readers, for your support. The tweets and FB messages and blog posts have really helped encourage me to continue as I eagerly work on my next novel. Writing is an often thankless task; each word of encouragement lights a candle on the way to the end of the tunnel.

Mia Siegert
received her MFA from Goddard College and her undergraduate degree from Montclair State University, where she won Honorable Mention in the 2009 English Department Awards for Fiction. Mia has been published in Clapboard House, Word Riot, The Limn Literary & Arts Journal, as well as a few other small presses. A short reading of
Jerkbait
was performed by the New Jersey Playwrights Association where it was tremendously received. Mia currently works as an adjunct professor and a costume designer, most recently having finished a production of
Cats,
featuring Ken Page, the original Broadway Old Deuteronomy.

About You Can Play

You Can Play
is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBT athletes, coaches, and fans. You Can Play believes sports teams should focus on the athlete’s skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

You Can Play works to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete, judged by other athletes and fans alike, only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success. You Can Play also seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.

In 2012, You Can Play was launched by Patrick Burke of the NHL along with Brian Kitts, a sports marketing and entertainment executive, and Glenn Witman of GForce Sports. Brendan Burke, the brother of Patrick Burke and son of Brian Burke, a longtime NHL executive, made international headlines when he came out as gay in 2009. A few months after he came out, Brendan died in a car accident. You Can Play was founded in Brendan Burke’s honor.

Website:
www.youcanplayproject.org

Twitter: @YouCanPlayTeam

Contact:
[email protected]