Rachel Edwards at Transportation Press published my first ever short story which morphed into the chapter that tells the story of Jake’s tuna-fishing escapade. This was such a formative moment for me; it made me think that writing might not be just something I do, but that I might actually become a writer—an identity I now fully feel able to occupy thanks to the assistance of my agent, Gaby Naher, who was instrumental in helping me turn being a published author from a dream to a reality. Gaby, thank you for your enthusiasm, your assistance in turning the manuscript from a thesis and into a novel, and your guidance through the publication process.

I am so fortunate that my publisher, Jane Palfreyman, understood what I was trying to do with this narrative. Her nuanced edits helped me refine the text in all the right ways. I want to thank Jane, Ali Lavau, Deonie Fiford, Jacquie Brown, Tom Bailey-Smith and everyone at Allen & Unwin for their support and for transforming this strange, octopus story into a book.

I was born into a family that loves literature and the ocean, and this novel wouldn’t have been what it is (likely would not have been at all) if it weren’t for this. Mum, Dad, Luke and Grace—I am so lucky that you are my family and that our home was full of words and sand.

This book is dedicated to Ido Luttrell. Ido, when I mentioned to you that I wanted to dedicate this book to you, you were surprised. But really, I can’t thank you enough for your love and friendship, for your wit and insights, for your support, for an office in Alonnah, for all those shared hours on and in the water, for encouraging me to write creatively all those years ago, and then once I was writing for continually dragging me into the world outside of my writing. You make sure I live a balanced life, and my writing blossoms because of it.