If I Was Your Girl(66)

Thank you to Joelle Hobeika, for ushering me into this crazy job when I was at one of the lowest points in my life, and for seeing the value of this project when I originally proposed it. Thank you to Sara Shandler, who killed more of my darlings than I could have stomached on my own, and without whom this book would have been a sloppy, self-indulgent affair. And then there’s Josh Bank, who kept us on target, made everything happen, and pushed for that one killer scene (you know the one). The three of you also deserve huge thanks for taking my coming out as gracefully as you did. I also want to thank Sarah Dotts Barley, Amy Einhorn, and the rest of the team at Flatiron Books for seeing the value of a story about a trans girl written by a trans woman, and for listening to my suggestion that we keep trans people involved at every available step. And, speaking of further trans involvement, I also want to thank the absolutely gorgeous cover model Kira Conley for her participation and belief in this project.

And, finally, thank you to the following individuals, without whose faith and support I might not have survived 2015: Miranda Stroud, Ailish Holmes, Matt and Heather Durham, Aria Taibi, Sam Hightower, Kay Popper, Brooks and Jackie Benjamin, John Burke, Beth Kasner, Bridget DuPey, Laura and Lee Palmiero, Ruby Bolton-Murray, February Keeney, Rachel Goodman, and Becca Reeves. You are, all of you, angels.