Before Mars

by Emma Newman

Thanks to the marvelous Jennifer Udden, my agent, for support, for edits and for sending me the right GIFs of her emotional reactions to this book at the right times. Thanks to Rebecca Brewer, my editor, for saying such kind things to me in an email that made me cry when I was totally convinced that this was a terrible book that should never see the light of day. And for pushing me again, making me delve deeper to make it a better book. You both make me a better writer and I am so very grateful.

  Thanks to Amy Brennan, a very splendid geologist, for sending me lots of interesting information about Mars and useful notes on surviving there. I hope I didn’t get anything wrong about the geology and the base, but if I did, it was all my fault and not Amy’s!

  Thanks to the team at Ace for continued support of these books, and for spreading the word about them so much more effectively than I ever could!

  Finally, thanks to my incredibly supportive family. My lovely son, who offers hugs whenever I need them, and my amazing husband, Pete. He knows how much I have wrestled with this one and has kept me fed, cuddled and reassured throughout. Thank you, darling.

  Lastly, I wanted Anna to be one of the mothers we so rarely see in our books and films and TV shows, one for whom motherhood really does not come naturally. But we exist and postnatal depression is such a hard thing to go through. I offer my love and my respect to those of you who know how hard it is.

  So, going back to Pete, this is why I dedicated this book to you, my love. Because you got me through one of the toughest times of my life, and not just me, our little Bean too. You were my strength, you never judged me and you never complained when I was at my worst. Thank you. I love you.

  Photography by Lou Abercrombie

  Emma Newman is the author of Planetfall and After Atlas and a professional audiobook narrator, reading short stories and novels in all genres. She also cowrites and hosts the Hugo-winning podcast “Tea and Jeopardy.” Emma is a keen role-player, gamer and designer-dressmaker. Visit her online at enewman.co.uk.

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