Elegy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

When I started writing the Watersong series, my grandma was alive. When I finished the final book in the series, she was not. She’d been battling Alzheimer’s for years, so she never read any of my books, although she’d read hundreds of my short stories and poems. And she’d saved everything I’d ever written—from Christmas cards to high school assignments. If Nanny had ever come across it, she saved it.

It would be impossible for me not to acknowledge the massive impact she had on me and my writing. Every word I’ve ever written should be dedicated to her.

That’s not to say she was the only person supporting and encouraging me, although she may have been the most unconditional with her love. I have been very fortunate to have phenomenal family and friends.

A big thank-you to both my mom and dad, who always believed in me, and my stepdad, Duane, and stepmom, Lisa, for taking care of me, even when they didn’t have to, and to my brother, Jeremy, who has always been my biggest fan.

As always, a massive thank-you to my assistant/best friend/viceroy of my life, Eric, who makes sure that everything happens. He makes everything possible, and handles all my moods, which can range from catatonic to Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest.

Thank you to the rest of my friends—Fifi, Valerie, Greggor, Pete, Matt, Gels, and Mark—who for some reason enjoy my presence, but also tolerate my many absences when I’m off playing with my imaginary friends.

Writing may be a solitary activity, but making a book isn’t. It requires a whole team of terrific people, like my editor, Rose Hilliard, who makes everything better than I can ever do on my own, and Lisa Marie Pompilio, who makes the most gorgeous covers for the books, as well as everyone else at St. Martin’s Press who do all the millions of things that make the books spectacular.

My agent, Steve Axelrod, and his rights director, Lori Antonson, are amazing. Seriously. When people say that authors don’t need agents anymore, I shudder, because I can’t imagine navigating all of this without Steve’s experience and knowledge.

I also want to give a shout-out to the Other House, who made the book trailers for the Watersong and Trylle series, just because I think they’re so fantastic.

And last, but probably most important, I have to thank all of the readers. Without you guys, I would just be a crazy person talking to myself. Thank you so much.