I have learned many things in writing this book, some of it about ships and what it means to build a fantastical world, and some of it about what it takes to publish a single book. And I have one piece of advice: if you’re going to set out to write a trilogy, make sure you have a team as tremendous as mine by your side.

I am deeply grateful to the talented people at Razorbill and Penguin Books for Young Readers for continuing to buoy up this adventuring crew. Endless thanks to my editor, Marissa Grossman, who kept me on course through many rounds of revision; Chris Hernandez, who has taken up the cause with such excitement; Lindsay Boggs and Felicity Vallence, who keep me on target throughout the year; Shari Beck, Samantha Hoback, and Marinda Valenti, whose combined efforts give me the appearance of knowing how to appropriately use a comma (which is only true part of the time); Jessica Jenkins, Theresa Evangelista, and Deborah Kaplan for creating yet another amazing package for this series; Cliff Nielsen, whose art brought Caledonia and Pisces to life brilliantly; Ben Schrank, who brought Seafire into the fold, and Casey McIntyre and Jen Klonsky, who continue the tradition; Venessa Carson, Carmela Iaria, Emily Romero, Summer Ogata, and the entire School and Library team, who have introduced these books to new readers; Caitlin Whalen, Kara Brammer, Jennifer Dee, and everyone at Penguin Teen, whose enthusiasm never wavers; Alex Sanchez, Gretchen Durning, and Alex Garber, whose support I see even if we’re rarely in direct contact; Jill Bailey, who travels forever in the name of books; and Jen Loja, who captains the ship with grace and compassion. And to all the people who have worked behind the scenes on these books, thank you.

None of this would be possible at all without my colleagues at Alloy Entertainment. I will give you a thousand thank-yous now and a thousand more later. Lanie Davis, who makes me better than I am. Josh Bank, Sarah Shandler, Laura Barbiea, Romy Golan, Matt Bloomgarden, and Josephine McKenna, who all make this work possible, and the entire team at Rights People, who have worked to take this ship overseas. I’m over the moon for you all!

To my agent, Lara Perkins, thank you. In the seafaring metaphor of my career, you are the one who makes sense of the stars, drawing maps in the sky when I’ve lost my way or need a new one.

To all the booksellers and librarians who put Seafire into the hands of readers across the country, thank you! And an extra thanks to my local bookstores, The Raven Book Store and Rainy Day Books, who have been the best champions I could have asked for.