Eliza Bing Is (Not) a Star

by Carmella Van Vleet

  Thank you also to my writing friends, including anyone who has ever commiserated, answered a question, talked to me at a conference, or clicked “Like” when I shared good news or tweeted about my books. I’d like to especially thank my critique partners, Christina Farley, Susan Laid-law, Andrea Mack, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, and Kate Fall, who are way better writers than I am and who will probably realize this any day now and still not ditch me.

  Thanks to Tami Furlong, my friend and owner of Fundamentals Children’s Books, Toys, and Games in Delaware, Ohio, who lets me sit on the floor of her back room and raid her boxes of ARCs. And to all of the other independent bookstore owners who go out of their way to support their local authors: we writers love you! (P.S. Happy retirement, Sally Oddi, and good luck with the new store, Melia Wolf!)

  To my dojang family: kamsahhamida.

  To my boys, Jim, Matt, and Sam: thank you for hand-selling my books, listening or at least pretending to listen when I talk about writing, and retrieving things on high shelves.

  And finally to my daughter: Abbey, life gave you one heck of a plot twist. I know leaving your chosen path and coming home was not what you wanted. But your courage and grace inspire me daily. And this book wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thank you for all the times I pestered you with questions about theater or what Eliza would say and you responded thoughtfully. I’m grateful. I’m also grateful for all the times I asked you something and you rolled your eyes or growled at me—because it meant you were still here.