My Kind of Crazy (22 page)

Although writing a book may be a solitary venture involving copious amounts of caffeine and cupcakes, it takes many wonderful people to bring a book to life, and I cannot thank them enough.

First, confetti drops, sparkles, and never-ending gratitude to my amazing editor, Annette Pollert-Morgan, whose incredibly thoughtful comments, brainstorming sessions, and genuine love for these characters helped make this story so much richer. I still owe you an “I Heart Hank” tee. Thank you for giving a home to the book of my heart.

To my incredible, hilarious, rock star agent Leigh Feldman. Thank you for believing in me and this story from the very beginning. I am so grateful for your invaluable advice, wisdom, and laugh-out-loud emails. I feel so lucky to have you in my corner.

To Dominique Raccah, Todd Stocke, Elissa Erwin, Alex Yeadon, Kathryn Lynch, Nicole Komasinski, Elizabeth Boyer, and the rest of the incredible team at Sourcebooks Fire, for that kick-ass cover, for making me look like I can grammar and English like a pro (I kept you on your toes!), and for being part of helping me hold my lifelong dream in the palm of my hand.

To Jessica Brody, mentor/friend/soul sister: there are not enough words to express what your friendship and support mean to me. Whether we are dreaming up book titles and apps over pancakes, eating our weight in sushi while sharing sage advice, or playing Mall Madness and baking cookies, you keep me smiling. Thank you for being that friend that always seems to bring perspective and sunshine.

To Gae Polisner: my partner-in-crime. This novel is what it is in huge part because of you, and I thank you for your spot-on, brilliant insight, your grounded reality checks, and your equally twisted sense of humor that so perfectly matches my own.

To Jessi Kirby: between your book touching my heart at a time when I needed it most, introducing me to Leigh, and lending your last name to Hank, you have helped change my life. Thanks for all your kindness. You are one of the most genuine souls I have ever met.

To Alex: thanks for being my light in the darkness when I needed it most. I miss you every day.

If ever there were a profession where one needs people who get his/her crazy, it's writing, and I am so grateful for some fabulous friends in my life who do just that. All the squeezy hugs and gratitude to Demetra Brodsky, Tracy Holczer, Shelli Cornelison, Michelle Levy, Jessica Love, Ara Grigorian, Jennifer Bosworth, Gretchen McNeil, Nadine Nettman, Julia Collard, Jennifer Olson, James Raney, Lisa Marnell, Anne Tibbetts, Meredith Glickman, Eileen Cook, Beth Navarro, Claire Di Liscia Baird, Nicole Maggi, Dana Elmendorf, Cindy Pon, Shaun Hutchinson, Karen Grencik, my fellow Sweet Sixteeners, SCBWI, and all my SoCal writer peeps! And to Laurie Halse Anderson, who gave me my first manuscript critique and made me swear I would never stop writing.

Additional thanks to my nonwriter cheerleading squad: Jill Freeman, Rachel Greenwald, Lisa Fragner, Julie Hallowell, Susan Wolf, Marcus Ryle, Nancy Walker, Martha Green, Niki Ross, Melissa Beal, Mike Gangemi, Jacob Walker, Arun Burra, Michelle Choi, Ilene Bobrowsky, Cori Henry, Debbie Blander, and all my WHS Regiment moms! Please know that your encouragement and support has meant the world to me.

And last but not least, to my incredible family, who never stopped believing in me, who reorganized their lives around my writing time, who put up with my crazy way beyond the call of duty. John, Ethan, Katie, Mom, Dad, Ben, Bonnie, Lee, Scott, Lily, Sasha, Joy, Jason, Roberta, and Nan—you are my heart, and this book is for you. “The delay is never the denial.”

Robin Reul has been writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pen. Though she grew up on movie sets and worked for years in the film and television industry, she ultimately decided to focus her attention on writing young adult novels. And unlike Hank, she does not know how to ride a bike. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and daughter.
My Kind Of Crazy
is her first novel.

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