The Book Eaters(119)
“I’ll come with you, when you go back for Salem,” he said. “Family should stay together.”
“Sure, love.” She was too tired to argue, and there would be time later for discussions.
They reached part of the main road. At long last. On the other side near the base of the bridge, a dark car was parked up on the hard shoulder. The headlights shone like Nycteris’s lamp in a desolate cave, like a firefly leading the way to a vast garden: tiny brightness against the encroaching dark.
“There they are!” Cai flashed her a grin and set off running toward the car where Jarrow and Victoria waited—running toward a life neither of them could yet imagine, humming the theme song from Mario.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There would be no book eater novel without the tireless labor of the following champions, to whom I am ferociously grateful:
TEAM TOR
Lindsey Hall, editor extraordinaire who whipped this story into a lean, mean, fighting machine
Rachel Bass, the brilliant and ever-prompt assistant editor
Deadly publicity ninjas Sarah Reidy and Giselle Gonzalez, working in tandem
Renata Sweeney, marketing genius and Rachel Taylor, savvy social media manager
Jamie Stafford-Hill, cover designer, who chopped up a book he owned just to make a cover mock-up
Kaitlin Severini, for patiently enduring my inconsistent use of “bookeater” and “book eater”
Rafal Gibek and Dakota Griffin, who run a tight ship on an even tighter schedule
(HARPER) VOYAGER VIGILANTES
Vicky Leech, my passionate UK editor who floored me (in the best way!) with her vision for The Book Eaters
Robyn Watts, the production controller whose relentless energy has shepherded this book through production
Jaime Witcomb, a publicity powerhouse whose ways are mysterious and magical to me
Fleur Clarke, who spearheaded marketing with deft precision
BOOKENDS BATTALION
Naomi Davis, rock star literary agent and the greatest champion I could ever have for my work. They always kept the faith even when I’d genuinely lost it.
Jessica Faust and the rest of the folks at BookEnds, who have lent their advice and expertise, particularly in the minefield of contracts and foreign rights
The countless foreign agents, literary scouts, foreign acquiring editors, and foreign language test-readers who worked so incredibly hard to get this book sold and translated in other countries, even though they do not know me and we have never met. Truly, it takes an army to bring a book to life.
HEARTY HEROES
Lee Muncaster, my awesomely geeky, trombone-wielding boyfriend, who met me at the lowest point in my life and didn’t hold it against me, who took my writing seriously and insisted on calling it “work” even when I hadn’t yet made a dime or sold anything, and who so often gave me coffee and hugs as I staggered towards the finish line of this manuscript. I could not ask for a more supportive partner.
Su Blackwell, my marvelously talented cover artist. I am so honored to have her lovely creations on the front of this book.
My real life friends who have all contributed words of wisdom or support at crucial moments (or childcare!). In alphabetical order; Allison Hargreaves, Eve Skelton, Laura Musgrove, Liska Piotrowska, Michelle White, and Simon Webb.
FAMILY FERALS
My children, C and V, without whom this book would never have happened. Parenting has changed my whole approach to writing and pushed me to make a success of it for their sakes.
My mother, who is also mentioned in the dedication and is a model of human resilience, and my father, who indoctrinated me into the Way of Science Fiction from a young age
Lee’s brilliant and quirky family—especially Hannah and Charlotte, his utterly fabulous daughters—who have been such a source of support and joy
Gareth, for all his support and advice through the years
WRITING WARRIORS
Essa Hansen, my first critique partner and one of the best humans I’ve ever known, from whom I’ve learned so much and with whom I’ve shared so much
Darby Harn, for our 100,000 words of emails ruminating on life, the universe, and everything as we tackled the madness of writing
Ravaena Hart, my oldest friend (it’s okay, we’re not old ladies yet) and frequent early reader
Alan Deer, a better friend than I deserve and also a great early reader
Gregory Janks, who perfectly balances brutal critique with endless optimism
The whole gang at Writer Alliance, whom I adore and am cheering for! Special mention to Al Hess, for his fantastic family heraldry artwork and general friendship, and PK Torrens, who has been a determined supporter from afar.
The wonderful Novelist gang at Leeds Writers Circle who read early bits of this novel, back when it was called Paperflesh. In alphabetical order by first name: Andrew Davies, Andy Armitage, David Cundall, Edward Easton, Kali Richmond, Peter J. Marcroft, Roz Kendall, and Sandy Hogarth.
My super brilliant beta readers!! Also in alphabetical order: Amanda Steiger, Anne Perez, Eric Bourland, Jerry Lizaire, Nisha Tuli, and Wayne Santos. Thank you all so much.
And, of course, a final shout-out to my weird and wonderful friend, John O’Toole, whose name opened this book and whose name shall now conclude it.