ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
It seems impossible to properly thank everyone who has supported me in seeing this book make its way from first draft to polished book, but I keep trying!
First, to my agent, Steven Malk, my sincerest advocate in all things. I would be lost without your support and wisdom. To my incomparable editor, Nancy Conescu, who ensures that every sentence, every word, is polished to perfection. You make me a better writer. For that — and so much more — I am eternally grateful. To Andrew Smith, Melanie Chang, and the entire Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers marketing team. Your passion, creativity, and determination are unrivaled. I feel so fortunate to have you on my side. To Rachel Wasdyke, the best publicist EVER and a fantastic traveling companion besides. To Amy Verardo and the LBYR subsidiary rights group who continue to conquer the world with the Prophecy series on your banner. To Alison Impey who somehow knows exactly the cover everyone wants to see before they know it themselves.
In addition to the contingent of talented people on the business end of things, there are many people whose love and support allow me to write with single-minded passion. At the top of that list is my mother, Claudia Baker. Thank you doesn’t seem big enough for everything you do and everything you mean, but it’s all I have. Thank you again to my father, Michael St. James, for passing on his love of well-written words. To David Bauer and Matt Ervey, lifelong, true-blue friends. To Lisa Mantchev, whose companionship and shared love of ice cream gets me through revisions, criticism, and mountains of self-doubt. To the 2009 Debutantes for sharing my joy and neurosis. To the many online review bloggers who spread the word with incomparable enthusiasm and energy, especially Vania, Adele, Laura, Steph, Alea, Mitali, Devyn, Nancy, Khy, Lenore, and Annie. Whatever anyone says — you guys count. I wish I could name every one of you!
Lastly, to Morgan Doyle, Jacob Barkman, and the many young people who allow me to be a part of their lives. You honor me by sharing your passion for life. It’s a privilege to know you as you truly are. To Anthony Galazzo… I love you like my very own son. Everything else is too big for words. And again to Kenneth, Rebekah, Andrew, and Caroline — the reason for everything I do and everything I am. You have my heart, always.
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