Instead, I have a good night. I get kissed in the snow. I eat chocolate in bed. I make plans for tomorrow.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It always baffles me when I see people panicking over who to thank when they accept their awards, but actually—remembering everyone is hard!

Firstly, I have to thank the two people who help the most when I write a book: my mom, Beth Harbison, and my partner, Richie Costales.

It is infinitely easier to stay motivated to write every day when I know I will be able to call my mom and read her the chapter I just finished. I know she’ll give me good advice, calling out things that might need changing, but mostly—because she, a writer too, understands how vital it is to remain encouraging at this stage—she laughs in all the right places, says when it’s a great line, and when I reach the end, always says something like, Is that it? I want to keep reading, go write more! Not to mention that I owe her my career, my life, and probably some money. It was she who—when I was nineteen—told me my first book was good, and then printed it out for her agent to read. I would have none of this if it weren’t for her daring.

The other most deserving of my gratitude is my beloved partner, Richie. At the end of his long workday, he always enthusiastically agrees to hear my new chapter and then patiently responds as I ask for more and more praise. He is a brilliant brainstormer who will happily devote a precious weekend afternoon to my scrambled, abstract ideas and not only put up with the manic waves of my ennui and frenzy, but help me find clarity in the madness. He also watched Titanic in theaters with me not too long ago, and bless him, when it comes back around, I know he’ll do it again.

It’s also Richie who took me to Ireland, and who is nice to me every time I whine, “I miss Ireland,” like I was raised there and then torn from it by ship.

I guess I’ll acknowledge my brother, who is my best friend, but only for being generally great and not because he did anything to help me with this book. At the time of me writing this, he has STILL NOT READ IT DESPITE BEING ASKED FOUR THOUSAND TIMES. He’s an incredibly smart musician and storyteller, and the book probably would have been at least a little better and/or easier with his advice. If he ever does get around to reading my little story, he will see that he has been publicly shamed. Love ya, Jack! (Can you all go listen to Thalo on Spotify so he gets rich and famous and has time to read again? Thanks ♥)