To Poppa, who I know would have been proud. And would no doubt have notified his local paper about this, my greatest achievement so far.
To my first readers, Bec, Amy and Carla, who each in their own way told me ‘you’ve got this’. That’s why I kept going.
To all my friends and family who encouraged the dream over the past few years and continue to indulge my crazy every day. Including but not limited to: Lauren, Mel, Brooke, Alice, Ella, Jessica, Content Family, Local Family Hangs, the Picnic Pointers.
To HarperCollins for choosing me – winning the Matilda Prize has changed my life. To editors Eve Tonelli, Alex Nahlous and Kate Burnitt for every kind word you imparted and every word of mine you made stronger. To Kady Gray for so much behind-the-scenes pedalling. To Michelle Weisz for reaching out with support at every turn. But especially to my publisher, Lisa Berryman, for championing not only me but Layla and the whole gang – your passion and thoughtfulness have made my journey as a debut author so joyous.
To anyone and everyone who has ever gifted me a book, shared a must-read recommendation, lent me their favourite copy (sorry for the pages I ruined at the beach) and loves a good story as much as I do.
This is (finally) my story.
Thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SAMERA KAMALEDDINE is a Sydney-based journalist who spent the early part of her career writing about boys, annoying parents and friendship dramas in teen magazines including Dolly and Girlfriend. When she’s not writing (and sometimes when she is), you can find her lolling about on a non-lame beach. Half My Luck is her first novel.
COPYRIGHT
Angus&Robertson
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, Australia
HarperCollinsPublishers
Australia • Brazil • Canada • France • Germany • Holland • Hungary
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First published in Australia in 2021
by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited
ABN 36 009 913 517
harpercollins.com.au
Copyright © Samera Kamaleddine 2021
The right of Samera Kamaleddine to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia
ISBN 978 1 4607 6022 2 (paperback)
ISBN 978 1 4607 1361 7 (ebook)
Cover design and illustration by George Saad
Cover image: Girl by shutterstock.com
Author photograph by Nikki Malvar / Heist Creative
Half My Luck Page 17