A special thank-you to Beth Phelan and #DVpit for giving marginalized writers like me a platform to be seen; and to Alexa Donne, my mentor Rebecca Barrow, and AMM for being the first real edge-piece to my writing journey. Becky, I still have nightmares about that roundabout in Swindon….

To all the AMM R3 alumni, thank you for being my first writing community. A shout-out particularly to the #WritersFightClub and my amazing CPs who wouldn’t let me give up: Julie, Sarah, Tara, Chelsea, Jordan, Laura, Susan, Emily, Kathy, Leanne, Heidi, Erika, Carolyn, and Louisa, I heart you all. We’ve got this!

To all the talented humans in the #yaysquad for your friendship and wonderfully wacky profile pics, especially Adelle, Ana, Anna, J.Elle, Moniza, Naz, Robin, Sonora, and Taj. Thinking of you guys makes me hungry. Is that weird? Also, Jess, my publishing twin, you are all around #goals. Can you please teach me how to life?

All the beautiful souls I met at the Madcamp BIPOC Retreat, I miss you! Natalie, Tess, Justina, thank you for organizing what was a dream-affirming experience for me. Zoraida, Labyrinth Lost was my muse for the virgin draft of this book—I am indebted to you forever. To my cabinmates, Yas, Elise, Susan, Christina, Yamile, Tracy, and Kyndal, my belly still hurts thinking about our late-night laughs. Can we do it again? And Tracy, OMG, you called it!

To all my Kiwi writing wha¯nau, especially Claire Donnelly for being the first person who got it and reminded me I wasn’t alone; my Meetup group for our Saturday morning sessions at Catalina Cafe; Tim Owen and the North Shore writers; and Amy Martin and Teresa Herleth for their support and encouragement.

I can’t forget about my Welly Wonkadoodles: Mel, Vivienne, Emma, and my Pitchwars co-mentor, Karah. It’s mind-boggling how four such exceptional creators and humans got to be in one tiny city together. Lucky me! I can’t wait to eat with you all again. And sorry not sorry about the group name—I take full responsibility.

To my SCBWI critique group: Jen, Kerstin, Lynley, and Catherine, for all the tireless hours you put into helping me improve my craft. To David Hill for the manuscript assessment and encouraging words. To my writer friends in the MGicalMisfits, DiverseInk, The21ders, and the Class of 2K21. To Swati, June, and Naz for your precious feedback in the latter stages. And to everyone else that has been part of my wordy community, I am so grateful for you.

I would be remiss to not mention the first-ever teen and tweens who were forced to read my words when I was still in training wheels. Sian Allen, Nikka Caraig, Hannah Jones, you are angels for being so constructive and supportive.