Belladonna

Acknowledgments

I have to start this page by thanking you, the reader. Getting a book published is almost like getting an invitation to a certain school of witchcraft and wizardry. Getting multiple books published is like getting paid to attend that school. It’s the best thing ever, and it’s possible only because of you. I will never forget that.

More thanks:

To my mom for her unwavering support, even though most of the time I have no clue what I am doing; Paul for always being a calming influence, and for driving me across several states to see a dolphin show that one time I was really sad; and Vicky for sending copious e-mails full of brainteasers and baby animal pictures, and for hiding chocolate all around my apartment every time I go out of town.

To Lexa Hillyer, Lauren Oliver, Beth Scorzato, and everyone at Paper Lantern. Beth, you are my backup calming influence. Thank you for not filtering my relentless 2:00 a.m. e-mails full of questions and semi-ranty tirades. Renaissance expert Eleanor Herman, once again your insights raised this book to a new level.

To Team Philomel: Michael Green, publisher, Jill Santopolo, editrix of wonder and tireless advocate for more kissing, Julia Johnson and the rest of the editorial team, Kristin Smith, Lisa Kelly, Sheila Hennessey, Anna Jarzab, Elizabeth Zajac, and anyone else who had a part in getting the word out about this book—you guys rock!

To Stephen Barbara and the people at Foundry, Jennifer Laughran and the Literaticult, the Apocalypsies, the Blueboarders, the book bloggers, Jessica Spotswood, Andrea Cremer, Antony John, Heather Brewer, Rhalee Hughes, all of the Breathless Reads girls, Left Bank Books, Pudd’nhead Books, Main Street Books, the St. Louis and St. Charles library systems, my crit partners: Cathy, Jasmine, Jess, Ken, and Marcy. I literally could go on forever listing other industry people who have helped me along this journey. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of a community that is so invested in the success of its members.

To everyone else who put up with my insane schedule: Connie for the late-night gossip and iced coffee, Julie for the bookmarks and inviting me to the hipster bar (I’m gonna go one of these days, I swear), Ben for going to the gun range with me when I needed to shoot things, Jeff for going out to eat with me when I needed to eat things, and all of my amazing colleagues at Award Winning Teaching Hospital, especially Debbie Hoog for taking me on a vicarious trip to Florence.

Adam, you continue to be my Kryptonite and not mentioning you here would just be wrong. We’ll always have Golden Tee.

Finally, the interwebz can be a scary place for a new author. You blog, you tweet, you pin, you post, but is there anyone listening? Or are you just shouting into the ether? Extra-special thanks to Monica Lopez, Nikki Wang, and my amazing group of cyber-pals, for being a constant reminder that I’m not all alone in this.