As usual, it takes a whole metropolis! Infinite thanks to my therapist—and by therapist I mean my agent, Thao Le (you know what you do); to my editor, Sarah Blumenstock, and my babysitting editors, Liz Sellers and Cindy Hwang, who let me write the book I wanted to write (as opposed to the one I had, cough, promised; special thanks to Sarah, who endured years of daily harassment regarding sprayed edges; it pains me to say this, but blocking my number when you went on sabbatical was the right move); to my production editor, Jennifer Myers, my managing editor, Christine Legon, and my copyeditor, all of whom, I’m sure, had to read way more sex scenes than they signed up for when they started working in publishing; to my marketing and publicity team (Bridget O’Toole, Kim-Salina I, Tara O’Connor, and Kristin Cipolla), who have to deal with an increasingly unmarketable and unpublishable author; to my cover illustrator, Lilithsaur, my jacket designer, Vikki Chu, and my interior designer, Daniel Brount, for making my filthy book infinitely pretty.
Thanks to my foreign publishers, and in particular to Aufbau (Rollberto Rolando, Sara, Astrid, Andrea, Martina, Sophia, and honorary Aufbau employee Aleks; please note that I would not like to thank Stefanie for lying to me about someone’s ability to speak English) and Sphere (Molly, Clara, Lucie, Briony, Lucy) for hosting me so warmly, allowing me to connect with amazing German and UK readers, and feeding me doner kebab and high tea.
As usual, thank you, Jen, for the invaluable beta read. To my friends, family, and to the fellow authors I’ve had the privilege of meeting during this journey: I love you. To all the booksellers, librarians, and readers: I’m not sure I deserve you, but please know that I am very, very grateful.