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Paperweight

Page 23

by Meg Haston


  I have done my very best to make Stevie’s story authentic, in terms of her experiences of enduring an eating disorder and in terms of the realities of life in a treatment center. That said, her story is just that: a story. The characters that make up her world and her treatment journey are fictional, even if this fiction is based in large part on what I believe to be true as a writer, a therapist, and perhaps most importantly, a survivor.

  If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, I hope that you will educate yourself about available resources. The National Eating Disorders Association is a wonderful place to start. You can visit NEDA’s website at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org, or call their help line at 1-800-931-2237.

  acknowledgments

  THIS book has almost existed for what seems like a very long time, and without the faith, expertise, and tough love of an incredible team, it might never have come to be. Sara Shandler, Josh Bank, and Les Morgenstein at Alloy Entertainment have had enthusiasm for this project from the start, and have showed continued faith in the story through the many lives of the book. Lanie Davis is the sharpest editor and loveliest LP on the block, and I feel so blessed that she chose to see this book through to the end. It would not be the same story without her intelligence, deep heart, and empathy. Jen Klonsky at Harper was passionate enough about this story to threaten violence with a tire iron to get it, which makes me want to cry (mostly tears of gratitude, and only some tears of fear). Rebecca Friedman has been not only a brilliant agent, but also a tireless reader and an advocate for Stevie’s story in its truest form. Thank you for helping me to give Stevie a voice. Natalie Sousa created a beautiful, nuanced cover that fits the story perfectly. Christina Colangelo, Elizabeth Ward, and Kara Brammer showed faith and confidence in this book as they introduced it to the world, and I’m grateful for their hard work.

  Laura, Erin, and Melody formed an unbreakable circle of support for me at a crucial time, and I am indebted to them for their wisdom and care. Megan, Jess, Becky, Alison, J9, Jamie, Lindsay, and Emily occupy a special place in my heart.

  Writing is always an emotional and personal endeavor. Writing this book has been a particularly emotional and personal process for me, and the support of my loved ones has sustained me through it. My parents, Mimi and Hugh, have walked with me through the ups and downs of life and of writing, and they never miss a step, even when I trip and face-plant. My sister, Molly, and my brother, John, are dear and constant cheerleaders. And last but certainly not least, David has been an incredible partner. He has cared for and about me through my writerly madness, delivering dinner and pep talks at all the right times. He has endured long hours, early writing mornings, and my questionable work-life boundaries with grace. I’m not sure how to thank him exactly, except to say this: More love, more better.

  M.H.

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  About the Author

  Author photo © Carolyn Roberts

  MEG HASTON is the author of How to Rock Braces and Glasses and How to Rock Best Friends and Frenemies. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where she writes and works as a counselor in an independent school. Paperweight is her first young adult novel.

  Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.

  Credits

  Cover design by Natalie C. Sousa

  Photo © Catherine Macbride/Getty Images

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

  PAPERWEIGHT. Copyright © 2014 by Meg Haston and Alloy Entertainment. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

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  Produced by Alloy Entertainment

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  New York, NY 10019

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  Library of Congress Control Number: 2015932006

  EPub Edition © June 2015 ISBN 9780062335760

  ISBN 978-0-06-233574-6

  15 16 17 18 19 CG/RRDH 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  FIRST EDITION

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