Acknowledgments

I have a small confession to make: when I was drafting this book in the dim light of my college dorm, I would often stop and daydream about one day writing the acknowledgments section. That I get to actually live out this silly daydream now is thanks to many, many people.

Thank you to my superhero of an agent, Kathleen Rushall, for believing in this book, and in me. From our very first email exchange, I knew it would be a dream to have you in my corner, and I remain in constant awe of how masterfully you handle everything. None of this would have been possible without your enthusiasm, wisdom, and guidance. Thank you also to the entire team at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for all your incredible work.

Thank you to Rebecca Kuss for seeing straight into the heart of my story and opening up the doors to the publishing world, and to Claire Stetzer for taking me in and making me feel at home. My endless thanks to the brilliant Bess Braswell, Brittany Mitchell, Laura Gianino, Justine Sha, Linette Kim, and everyone at Inkyard Press for your dedication and support. A huge thank you to Gigi Lau and Carolina Rodríguez Fuenmayor for the cover of my dreams—I still cannot believe how stunning it is, and how lucky I am.

Thank you to the extraordinary Katrina Escudero for everything you’ve done.

More thanks to my wonderful former teachers: Mr. Locke, who encouraged my writing all the way back when I was a very obnoxious Year Seven student. Mr. Mellen, who taught me how to craft an essay and sparked my interest in the humanities. Ms. Nuttall, who told me I was a writer and helped me believe it too. Ms. Devlin, who inspires me every day with her passion and knowledge and is a literal saint.

All my thanks to the authors I admire, both as writers and as people. To Chloe Gong, for being such a huge source of inspiration and serotonin—please know I will always be one of your biggest fangirls. To Grace Li, for being one of the very first people to read this book, and for being as incredibly kind as you are talented. To Gloria Chao, for being so welcoming and generous, and for paving the way with your words. To Zoulfa Katouh, for making me cry over your book, and also over your sweetest messages about mine—I’m so glad to know you. To Vanessa Len, for being so supportive from the beginning, and for being so patient in explaining how taxes work. To Em Liu, for seeing the heart of my book, and understanding all the little references. To Miranda Sun, for hyping me up all the way back when I first signed with my agent, and for your delightful company online. To Roselle Lim, for taking the time to read this and writing such a lovely blurb—I couldn’t be more honoured.

Thank you to Sarah Brewer for being the first person to read one of my earlier, embarrassing attempts at a book, and saying such kind things. Your encouragement meant more to my teen self than I can express.