And of course, it’s now Scarlett Johansson whom the world sees as Natasha Romanoff, and rightly so. I myself can’t help but see her when I write. Scarlett’s Natasha manages to somehow remain both a flawed human and a force to be reckoned with. Someone who might be more comfortable saving the world than saving herself but who won’t stop trying to do either. And if you make the mistake of underestimating or belittling or stereotyping her? She’s going to use it against you to take what she needs—and then slam both your head and your expectations against a wall. And oh yeah, she’s a girl.
Word.
But the inaugural chapter in Black Widow’s YA adventure has been shaped most of all by two particularly creative women—both personal (super) heroes of mine. I’m forever indebted to Editorial Director Emily Meehan at Disney Hyperion, who did a brilliant job editing this book—along with Elizabeth Schaefer—and who prompted the first fateful call that day in Italy. She is herself a huge talent, and a real friend. I’m also beholden to Marvel’s director of content and character development, the singular visionary Sana Amanat, who oversaw our manuscript on the Marvel side, and who is impossible not to openly fangirl. Sana and Emily are each that rare combination of creative and champion; they get it, they get Natasha, and they get me. The preceding pages would have been radically different without them (and not in a good way!), as would the Red Widow teaser comic.b
Beyond the simpatico synergy of Emily and Sana, I have to thank Andrew Sugerman at Disney Consumer Products, and Jeanne Mosure and Rich Thomas at Disney Publishing, for (Avengers) assembling a true dream team for Black Widow’s YA debut. Publicity Director Seale Ballenger and Publicity Manager Mary Ann Zissimos do the impossible on a daily basis. Tim Retzlaff, Elke Villa, and Marina Shults in Marketing put together the best swag. Art Director Tyler Nevins oversaw our unbelievably perfect Forever Red cover, and illustrator Alessandro Taini and title font designer Russ Gray outdid themselves, as has the rest of my Disney team and family. On the Marvel side, every conversation and collaboration has been a pleasure, from Sana and Charles and Adri and Judy to Axel Alonso himself.
For my own team, thanks goes as always and as ever to my indefatigable agent Sarah Burnes (assisted by Logan Garrison) at the Gernert Company, for being not just smart but stalwart, and my friend. Thanks as well to Melissa de la Cruz, Michael Fletcher, and Julie Scheina for being my Black Widow critique oracles and my not-so-secret weapons. (And Mike, may your triggers always break like glass!) To my patient Russian translators Abbey Gardner, Dr. Kevin Platt, and Maria Grytsenko, who was also my Ukrainian expert. To Tori Hill and Shane Pangburn, my masters of social media, and to Joseph Moretti for the amazing author photo. To writer friends Marie Lu, Cassie Clare, Brendan Sanderson, and Rainbow Rowell, for agreeing to read (or even just pretending to) during deadlines. To Damon Conn, for sharing his Spider-Man comics with me, so long ago. To 7 Studios, for the trippy Fantastic Four days, which I now find myself thinking of often. To Kami Garcia, for being my personal Punisher and first partner in YA crime. To Veronica Roth, for talking me out of my trees (so many trees!). To my brother from another mother, Rafi Simon (along with Philip, Natalia, and India), and to my brother from the same mother, Dave Stohl (along with Ashly, Sara, Jake, and Charlie). Thanks is probably not even the right word anymore. To my whole tribe, a huge and heartfelt hug—you know who you are! It took me a long time to circle the wagons around all of you, but I’m so happy to have you in my life.
A special shout-out goes to the Women of Marvel, who rock in the extreme, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. You guys really are changing the world; what an honor it is to join you. To the other half of those Women of Marvel panels, those hundreds of faces in the crowd: don’t think we don’t hear you. Talk about change—you’re the reason this book exists at all.
And of course, the biggest, slobberiest smooch of all goes to my own heroic #nerdfamily, Lewis, Emma, May, and Kate Peterson, who are (along with Kiki and Jiji) the reason I get up in the morning. I know exactly how good I have it, because I have you (and I’m not kitten you meow!). What a lucky, lucky girl I am.
M. Stohl
May 2015
MARGARET STOHL is the #1 New York Times best-selling co-author of the Beautiful Creatures novels (also a major motion picture) and the author of Icons and Idols. Previously, Margaret was a veteran of the video game industry, working as a writer and lead game designer before co-founding 7 Studios with Lewis Peterson. Margaret now lives in Santa Monica, California, with her beloved #nerdfamily; when not writing, she can usually be found defending her innocent cats from her husband’s evil robots.
Black Widow: Forever Red Page 29