Acknowledgments - The Write Off

Thank you to my agent, Katelyn Detweiler. You worked your magic with this one. I say it every time because it’s always true—I am more and more grateful for you with each passing book.

To my editor, Angela Kim. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, swooning in all the right places, and seeing the potential behind West’s skinny jeans and eyeliner. (You’re like Mars in that way.) I’ve never been more scared to submit a draft than I was to send this one to you, but your insight was invaluable in shaping this story. Thank you for taking a chance on me.

To the entire team at Berkley, including Colleen Reinhart, Megha Jain, Tara O’Connor, and Anika Bates. Thank you for everything you’ve done to get this book into the hands of readers. I’m so grateful to have found a home at Berkley. And all my thanks to Decue Wu for bringing Mars and West to life in my delightful cover illustration.

To Sandy, thank you for all of your help with the details of being an undergrad in Tucson. And to Dr. Blasingame, your class changed the course of my life. It’s about time I keep that promise to come back and speak.

To my Friday writing crew, including Joanna Ruth Meyer, Madeleine Elizabeth, Nicole Adair, Karen Chow, and Amy Trueblood. Thanks for keeping me distracted and perpetually entertained. I’m sorry for all the writing hours you lost because I wouldn’t shut up.

And finally, thank you to Scott for holding down the fort at home while I’m on deadline and dropping balls left and right. And to Owen, Graham, and Emmett—I’m sorry there aren’t any dragons in this one, either. (Maybe next time, but probably not.) I love you all.