I’ve been making up stories forever, but this idea was the first one I ever took seriously. I didn’t tackle it for a long time, though. I didn’t even start writing novels for years after this idea took root, so seeing it become a book I absolutely love is particularly wonderful, and I have a lot of people to thank for that.

Rebecca Podos, you’re amazing, and I know I can always count on you to encourage me with any of my odd story ideas, especially when there are vampires involved. Thank you.

Sarah McCabe, my favorite scenes in this book wouldn’t be here without you. You helped me make this wild story exactly what I wanted it to be. Thank you.

To the teams at McElderry Books and Hodder & Stoughton: thank you for giving this book the best homes I could ask for.

Marcela Bolívar and Greg Stadnyk, this book has the cover of my dreams. Thank you for creating it. I stare at it every day.

Portia Hopkins, thank you for reading the first draft of this. Your encouragement made me truly believe I could do this.

Cameron Wilson, I know you’ve heard me talk about this book a million times between our classes, and our craft talks always left me inspired. Thank you.

Christy Cooper, thank you for always knowing just when I need you to call me. And thank you to your husband, Matt, for being one of my first readers and really understanding the book when he said, “Margie must really like blood.” That’s still my favorite feedback.

Bailey Gillespie, thank you for all our talks about writing and the trips we take that never fail to inspire. I can’t wait to go back to Santa Cruz with you again and visit the place that inspired this book.

Jess Creaden, I wouldn’t survive publishing without you. Thank you for all your wisdom and support. I can always count on you.

Savanah Cortino, thank you for all the laughter and fun times we shared in grad school. It was one of the best times of my life.

Stephanie Garber, thank you for always being willing to give me guidance when I need it. And thank you for the amazing blurb.

Angela Montoya and Sana Muttalib, I love you both endlessly, and I can’t wait to be reading your acknowledgments one day.

Thank you to all my Pitch Wars friends. Dawn Ius and Kimberly Gabriel, I’ll love you forever.

To my writing critique group: many of you read pieces of this book and encouraged me from the start. Thank you Jeff Wooten, Eliza Langhans, Emily Thiede, Ryan Van Loan, Brook Kuhn, Emily Taylor, and Brighton Rose. Special thank-you to Melody Steiner, who gave me some of my earliest feedback on the full manuscript.

Thank you to the professors who made me believe I had what it took to make it.