Luminosity (23 page)

Acknowledgments

Nearly two years ago, I sat at my desk and stared at my classroom of 10
th
graders at Kenwood High School. I decided then that I wanted to write something for them, and LUMINOSITY started to shape from fragmented ideas of dreams and visions. When my book sold after that school year ended, and I told my now former students, they praised and congratulated me and offered me the most amazing support I could ever ask for. Since that time, I’ve gone to a new school, where I’ve been met with the same enthusiasm. My students have gone so far as to volunteer to be my beta readers for book two. They are so selfless and supportive. So, before everyone else, I have to thank all those little souls who have filled my life with ambition and promise. My students have given me purpose, and without them this book wouldn’t exist. Thank you to all my little ducklings, especially Melinda, Tyriq, Candice, Shyniyah, and Geronimo.

I couldn’t have done this without the support of many others, though. My husband, Brandon, for one, has pushed me through this process, lifted me through the difficult times, and supported me through each and every step. My journey has been a long one filled with many ups and downs, but through it all, Brandon has never given up on me. He has stood by my side, helped me work through my plot holes while taking long walks with me through the neighborhood, and has taken me out for peanut butter ice cream at the completion of a manuscript. Brandon, I wouldn’t be the writer or the person I am today without your courage.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Stephanie Dray for her encouragement as well. She has shown me through her own success that I could achieve my own, and she has encouraged me through the thick and thin, acting as my own personal cheerleader. She has never asked for anything but my friendship in return, and as she grows as a writer, I grow as well thanks to her mentorship. I cannot give back to her enough for guiding me down this path. Thank you for not only being such a valuable professional resource, but for also being a constant friend.

I thank my family; my parents, Mom, Daddy, Laura; and my siblings, Jamie, Dan, Kelsey, Ryan—they have always known in their hearts that my passion has been writing, and not one of them have ever cast this off as some pipe dream. Jamie, Kelsey and Ryan were the first to read LUMINOSITY, and though it ate me up inside to have my sisters and brother read my manuscript for the first time, their advice and comments were honest and ever-helpful. Thank you, all of you, for letting me know it was okay to pursue my dream. From my early-morning, colored-in-Crayon newspapers when I was five years old, to this series…dreams are nothing without your family there to help make them.

To my best friends, Gina and Corrine, who have dealt with so much of my nonsense, but still somehow remain by my side. Thank you for being what you are to me—everything.

I want to thank my high school English teacher, Mr. Wild, who ignored my crazy and saw in me what I couldn’t see in myself. I promised myself that one day I would write a book that high schoolers would read, and maybe even make a summer reading list if I am lucky. He planted these seeds in my head and helped me to become the writer and teacher I am today.

And finally, to my editors, Liz and Kerry, who took a chance on me and made me feel like I was the best thing since sliced bread—thank you, thank you, thank you.

About the Author

Stephanie Thomas resides in Baltimore, Maryland, with her husband and works full-time as an English teacher. She holds her Master’s in writing from The Johns Hopkins University.

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