Gamma Accidents #2: Creatures from the Deep Page 14

  But, for now, it's "Goodbye, hope to see you again!" from me. I put a little over two years of work into this book. It's sad how many drafts and bouts of "I wish I could give up without consequences" I went through to get here.

  My beloved collaborator (and little sister to put all other little sisters to shame), Jolie, kept my spirits up with talk of all that these characters could become, all the adventures left in store, all the friends yet to meet.... She hardly knows how much I appreciate all those impromptu, excited (and loud) collaboration sessions in my room, the kitchen, by the backyard pool or in the middle of the grocery store.

  Not a lot of people know what goes into a story (even a smallish one like this) but I have a fantastic support crew. My Dad, who made sure I knew he would be ready to help me get the next book up when it was finished and who taught me that it's not as hard or as scary as I so often believe it to be. My Mom, who patiently put up with every revision (even though it made her head swim). My brother, Jonathan; sister-in-law, Melinda; big sister, Celeste, and little sister, Jolie, who just in general inspire my stories with the littlest of things they say and do. And all those people (who either know me or not) who inspired and motivated me in the most obscure ways.

  I can't thank any of you enough. It may just be a book with 28 chapters about a bunch of teenagers getting mixed up in a crazy misadventure with flying sharks and floating jellyfish, but a little bit of every person I love, know, or even just glance at while walking by on the street shines through in these characters I create to reflect them.

  Thanks for the stories you told me, thanks for the little adventures you've taken me on, and thanks for all the lives you let me peer into. And thanks for coming along with me on this journey here, whether I know you or not.

  Sincerely,

  Erin