If anything, the events of 2020 have reminded us of the things and people we take for granted. Gratitude is said to be the most powerful emotion, and there are so many people to whom, and for whom, I am grateful.

Game Changer is an idea that began to take shape over ten years ago, but most of the work and rework and deep dives and soul searching happened over the past four years—and all under the brilliant, gentle guidance of my editor, Rosemary Brosnan. More than an editor, she was a sounding board, conscience, friend—and occasionally therapist—throughout every step of the writing process.

Everyone at HarperCollins has been phenomenally supportive, from associate editor Courtney Stevenson, to designer Joel Tippie; production editor Kathryn Silsand as well as Michael D’Angelo and Anna Bernard in marketing and publicity; Sheala Howley and Rachel Horowitz in subsidiary rights; Patty Rosati, the queen of school and library marketing; and, of course, Suzanne Murphy, who presides over this glorious level of reality.

A warm shout-out to fellow writers Alex London and Nic Stone! Thanks, guys—your thoughtful, and insightful notes on my first draft gave me much-needed perspective, and made a huge difference. You really helped shape this book!

Thanks to my literary agent, Andrea Brown, for everything she does, from encouragement to inspiration to giving me a swift but gentle kick when I need one! Thank you, Taryn Fagerness, for handling foreign sales and putting up with my avoidance of paperwork—and while I’m on the subject, a special thanks to all the international publishers who have been bringing my books to the rest of the world!

A multiverse of gratitude to my entertainment industry agents, Steve Fisher and Debbie Deuble-Hill, at APA; my contract attorneys, Shep Rosenman and Caitlin DiMotta; and my stellar managers, Trevor Engelson and Josh McGuire. Without all of you, my career would most certainly be lost in the Elsewhere.

At the time of this writing, Game Changer is in development with Netflix, and I can’t thank them enough for their support, and for the vision and brilliance of Brian Yorkey, who’ll be running the show. No better universe than that!

Thanks to my assistant, Barb Sobel; my research assistant, Symone Powell; my writing-group-gone-rogue, the Fictionaires, who have adapted to distance, both social and geographical; my social media guru, Matt Lurie; and my dear friend and personal marketing genius, Keith Richardson—who reminds me to take care of myself when I’m too busy to remember. And a sorrowful thank-you to my aunt Mildred Altman, who we lost this year. She read every single book I ever wrote and sent me handwritten letters with her comments. She didn’t get to read this one. I will miss those letters, but not as much as I will miss her.