To Kacen Callender: For giving me an R&R on the book of my heart. It wasn’t ready, but I loved it (and I still do) and I think you loved it—or at least really liked it—too. Thank you for giving me that chance. Thank you for working with me and teaching me. Thank you for letting me know I still had work to do. To Rebecca Podos for your lovely rejection/offer letter. It gave me the ammunition to keep querying. And to Alexandra Machinist for the nicest rejection letter in the history of queries. It’s still favorited in my email account. It meant so much to me when I first read it and still does.

To Nic Stone: For reading one of my earlier books and giving me notes. For the help you gave me, even when I wasn’t exactly ready for it. For paving the way with your own work. To Becky Albertalli for being generally amazing and so, so kind. To Justina Ireland: For showing me I’m allowed to speak up about what’s important. For being a badass. For welcoming me into the community when I was fifteen. For inspiring me.

To Wendy Xu: For being a protective Twitter auntie. For the talk we had about success and how it doesn’t need to happen when you’re so young. I needed to hear it.

To Sierra Elmore and Phil Stamper: For staying in the group chat, even though no one is making you. For listening to me talk about who and what I’m attracted to and answering embarrassing questions. I’m not thankful for all the times you dragged me, but I am thankful for all the times you listened.

To Dahlia Adler: For the amount of work you do for the YA community in general, but specifically for queer books. I’m in awe of you. For reminding me that f/f YA books exist, even when I didn’t think they did. For recommending the best books. For the Figgy pictures whenever I’m sad. You’re the best.

To Rachel Strolle: For all you do for the YA book community. For the little mock-up version of the cover you made when the book was first announced. For your excitement. You’re the best.

To Taylor and Liz: For being two of the first people to publish me on the Internet. For the community you created at HuffPost Teen. For staying in touch after that awesome moment ended. For your tweets and your help and every time you guys congratulated me. For being young and hip and cool. For hooking me up with opportunities after you were no longer obligated to. For creating more than one space where my voice mattered.