Guys—how on earth do I begin to thank people after ending a trilogy? And more importantly, this book? Lion Heart’s title was actually decided pretty late in the game, and it really took a minute for it to settle in and for me to realize how much it needed to be called Lion Heart—because in writing this, I managed to find my courage, my strength, and my perseverance. In many ways, I found my own lion heart.
But this was never something I did, survived, or created on my own. So let’s get down to the people who really deserve to be acknowledged!
First, to my agent, Minju—you are wonderful and amazing, and you have always been a fantastic resource to me. You got me through freak-outs and plot twists of both the fictional and real-life varieties. You told me it was totally okay when I needed more time to figure out how to write this book. For these and so many more things—thank you.
To my editor, Mary Kate Castellani—you are amazing. You did an incredible job taking my jumble of words and pushing me to make them better and stronger and, you know, Scarleter. Thank you for everything you’ve done for all three books—we’ve been in the trenches together for a long time in a lot of changing roles, and I really love working with you. Of course, I can’t mention editing without also thanking Emily Easton—Scarlet wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, and I definitely would never have gotten to Lion Heart. Thank you. I’m sorry we couldn’t finish the journey together.
To everyone at Bloomsbury, never, ever limited to but definitely including Lizzy Mason, Erica Barmash, Emily Ritter, Beth Eller, Caroline Osborn, Linda Minton, and all the people who contribute to my books that I haven’t had a chance to meet—you’re all AWESOME.
Honestly, you guys need so much more space than I have to give . . . but the fans. The FANS! Your letters and your kindness and your love kept me going on a really hard book and during a really hard year. To the bloggers who have been so amazing to me, you create a world for authors like me to inhabit. It’s essential, and I’m so grateful. For all the fan art, the stories, the squees and the love, thank you all so, so much!
Funny story—I wrote this book while in grad school. Ha! Which means that, whether they really knew it or not, there were some amazing people hauling me through that year with love and cookies and the occasional Burdick’s hot chocolate. Caitlin, Tyme, Holly, Leigh—I wouldn’t have made it without you. To the entire AIE cohort—thank you for the support, the love, and the unabashed inspiration to keep making quality arts a reality in education (and, you know, the inspiration to just be awesome . . . ). To Steve Seidel, it has been such an honor working with you.
To Team Writing Group (which I’m new to and honored to be in)—Tara Sullivan, Annie Cardi, Katie Slivensky, Lauren Barrett, and Julia Maranan—well, okay, you guys never actually saw Lion Heart at all. But I think the fact that I’m still writing has everything to do with you. Thank you!
Team Author Friends—Hilary Weisman Graham, Diana Renn, Zoraida Cordova, Gina Damico, Dawn Metcalf, the whole entire Class of 2k12 with intense love, the Apocalypsies—I love you ALL. I have to give a special shout-out to Tiffany Schmidt, who I am surprised still takes my phone calls after all the crazy conversations we have had. It’s really rare to find someone who gets you as a writer and gets you as a friend, and I am so, so honored and delighted that you’re in my life.
And then there are people like Totsie, Karen, Jonathan, Susan, Ellie, Grammy, and Ann H., who have known me forever and are such big supporters—thank you. It means everything. To everyone at South Shore and GGLH who put up with my very proud parents, thank you! To my remaining W family: Meghan, Andrew, Matt, Amy, Paul— <3.
BUT, WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Team GLOW—we talk a lot about teaching girls and women to believe in themselves, but at the end of the day, being part of this organization has forced me to believe in myself, in my friends, and in what women are really capable of doing. Leah, Emily, Jenna, Meghan, Crystal, Sam, and Tashia, you inspire me daily. And Sam—thank you for talking me through Lion Heart when I was stuck! Fluff festival for the win.
To my sisters—Nacie and Renee, you two are my life and my loves. Maybe we weren’t technically born from the same mom, but if our moms all like each other, it’s kind of the same thing, right? I love you, and I can’t do much of anything without you. To Ashley, Jacqui, Alex—CAN YOU ALL PLEASE MOVE TO BOSTON? I’M SICK OF THIS DISTANCE STUFF.
Thanking my family is idiotic. It just doesn’t cover it when they come to every signing, every speaking engagement, when they tell me I’m being dumb for doubting myself, and laughing at me when—well, like, all the time. Hey, it’s family, that’s how it goes. Mom, I’ll love you forever and like you for always. Papa, I love you to the moon and back.
Alisa, you’re new to the acknowledgments page, but I can’t believe how supportive you have been in such a short time. You’re really incredible! Kev, you have earned SO MUCH MORE than your own book, and you’re the best big brother ever. Mike, I am so proud of your accomplishments and for making me the only sibling who can’t be addressed as “Doctor”—thank you for always loving me, hugging me, and constantly making fun of my hair.