Anyway, this brings us to now, and the other brilliant and supportive and wonderful Patricia in my publishing life—thank you, always and forever, to Patricia Nelson, who is not only the best person I could’ve ever dreamed of having in my corner, but who, with one brilliant note, took this book from an inevitable “too quiet” to selling it over a decade after I was certain it was dead. Many more brilliant notes then followed as this book slowwwwly found its footing, and I’m so grateful to both Patricia and my wonderful editor / granter of the many extensions, Vicki Lame, for their insight, patience, kindness, and fight, and for pushing me to turn this book into the best version of itself. Also, thank you to the brilliant Taryn Fagerness, who’s worked so hard to bring my books across the world.

Of course, thanks are also due to everyone else at Wednesday who’s worked so hard to turn this from multiply revised manuscript to book: to Vanessa Aguirre, assistant editor extraordinaire—three books in together, I could not be more grateful for how professionally and capably you help this process go round; to Devan Norman, who constantly finds new ways to turn my eyes into little heart emojis with gorgeous designs; to Kerri Resnick, whose cover designs have landed me so many accurate comments about being blessed by the gods—thanks to you and to brilliantly talented illustrator Guy Shield for bringing Evie, Salem, Camden, and the infamous rope ladder to life; and to editorial director Sara Goodman, associate publisher Eileen Rothschild, managing editor Merilee Croft, editorial assistant Sarah Pazen, production manager Diane Dilluvio, senior production editor Cassie Gutman, copy editor Terry McGarry, proofreaders Kyle Avery and Susannah Noel, the marketing team of Austin Adams and Brant Janeway, and, of course, publicist Meghan Harrington.

Speaking of the many improvements that went into this version of the book, thank you to its wonderful and insightful early readers—to Keely Parrack and Emery Lord, for polishing those first few chapters and helping me find the right path, and to the generous and talented Michelle Millet, for so helpfully and brilliantly taking it all the way home. Thank you, too, to Clare for the tarot expertise and Colby for the tagline help, and again (always!) to my dearest Maggie, for the early read and enthusiastic texts. And to Courtney Summers, queen of the pep talks—someday we will get those drinks on a Friday.