Stone Cold Fox (101)

My aunt, Carole Koller, always let me read books for adults at her house when I was a kid because she knew I could handle them. Ellen Foster, She’s Come Undone, White Oleander and countless others, all technically age-inappropriate, made me want to be a novelist one day. Thank you for being a consistently loving force and positive guiding light in my life. I’m so lucky to have you, Auntie Carole.

My father, Don Koller, still brings up “The Story of Snow, The Arctic Wolf,” a short story I wrote in fourth grade (under the tutelage of the aforementioned Mrs. Foskett) that won first place in a countywide contest in Chicago. Suffice it to say, he’s been telling me he’s proud of me for a very long time. Thanks, Dad (and Dormie Koller!), for all of your encouragement, good humor and endless praise. I love you.

My mother, Christine Koller, started reading aloud to me pretty much right after I was born. And she prioritized getting me a library card ASAP and even secured special permission from the librarian so I could check out extra books over the limit since I would go through them so fast. And she loved hearing my own stories. My mother never doubted me or my writing once and seemed to always know this day would come. Thank you, Mom (and Merle Tomasello!), for always looking out for me, believing in me and making sure I had everything I needed. I love you.

I also have to thank little Junie girl, my magnificent brindle beauty and canine love of my life, who sat dutifully by my side while I wrote this novel.

And finally, thank you to my darling husband, Charles Croft. There’s truly nobody better. What else can I say? As always, it’s all for you. You’re the best and I love you more than anything. Gee.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Koller Croft is an author and screenwriter in Los Angeles, where she has scripted projects for Blumhouse, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Comedy Central, among others. She lives by the beach with her husband, Charles, and their rescue pitbull, Juniper. Stone Cold Fox is her first novel.