by Cassia Leo
crazy deadlines, and they do it with such love and commitment to me and to the written word. Words cannot express how much I appreciate every ounce of feedback and laughter you all have provided.
Sarah Hansen. I am so grateful that you didn’t chuck me out a window when I told you to throw out the first cover you did for Black Box and start over. But aren’t you glad you didn’t? This is one of my favorite covers of all time for all the small touches you put into it that made it so absolutely perfect for this book and these characters. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you to Lauren Abramo for your sage advice.
To my editor, Harriet Bourton. Thank you for your enthusiasm and for working with my original timeline.
Thank you and congratulations to Cassie Hoffman for winning the Black Box Character Name Contest. Hope you’re enjoying your new claim to fame as Crush’s ex-girlfriend.
Thank you to the incomparable Mimi Strong for being one of the most awesome human beings I’ve ever known and for all the midnight chats about my ‘clichéd author feelings.’
Thank you to all the bloggers who shared the Black Box cover reveal and preorder links and those who participated in the blog tour and release celebration. I didn’t know what the heck a blog tour was a few years ago, and now I see how much work goes into it and I stand in awe of the folks who organize them. I’m looking at you Holly Malgieri. Thank you for being so amazing and for making me feel like I never have to stress. Your hair is pure devil, but your devotion to books is all angel.
To the readers who have reached out to me and not only shared their excitement for the release of Black Box, but have shared their personal stories and experiences with mental illness. That’s the kind of stuff that keeps me going on the days when I doubt myself. Please never stop sharing your stories with me and I’ll never stop sharing my stories with you.
A huge thank-you to the city of Boston for providing a magical backdrop for a heart-rending story. I apologize if I may have twisted the facts to suit my fictional world.
To the people I interviewed while researching Black Box, there are really no words to convey my gratitude to you. You shared some of the most painful moments of your lives and I will always cherish the trust you placed in me to bring those experiences to life on the page.
To my mother, who taught me how to care.
To my daughter, who taught me how to listen.