Jessica—without you there really may not have been an Air Awakens at all. It was you and all of our discussions and endless car rides filled with talk of books and really epic music that put the passion back in writing for me. I hope you know the important role you’ve filled in my life and what an amazing friend you truly are. Thank you for reminding me to be patient and torture my characters.
Katie—where would I be if I didn’t have you to geek out with? In a very sad place, that’s where. Your enthusiasm kept me going long after the initial glamor of penning these words faded. Were it not for you I may have never found the courage to press on. You inspired more than you know in Air Awakens.
Dorothea, Pete, and Tom—my lunches with you three were essential for me getting organized and keeping my head on straight during an overwhelming process. I hope to return the favor as I put some experience under my belt.
Betsy—your love and enthusiasm is irreplaceable. You make me smile constantly and I know that I’ll always have someone in my corner.
Jeffkun—I could not have done this without your support, tolerance, patience, and love. You could have told me to quit, or been frustrated at every night when I sat on the couch, put in my headphones, and went into my own world, but you weren’t. You let me go on my adventures and you’ve never made me feel foolish for dreaming, wishing, hoping, or trying.
The AAAPodcast Community—it exceeded my every expectation when you all didn’t roll their eyes at me, but were supportive of this venture. Astro, ChibiRob, SailorB, Reiji, Kenshin, Kou, Rextyn, Brooks Austin, just to name a few of you. Thank you for your support, not just the “me” that you listen to talk about anime week to week, but the real person behind.
My sister, Meredith—the other half of me, my “octurnal twin,” thank you for your confidence, your love, and your pragmatism. You’re always there when I need it most and you’ve always been a nurturing force for everything that’s positive in my life. You’re the person who taught me the true depth of familial love and inspired relationships in this story.
My parents, Madeline and Vince—I don’t have enough words to say thank you. Not just for your support in Air Awakens and your thoughts about my drafts, but for everything you both have ever done for me as a person. I am not perfect, and I will always have more to learn and grow from, but I would not be half the woman I am today without you both. I hope you enjoy all the revisions to this and future installments of Air Awakens.
ELISE KOVA has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.
Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter and Facebook. Visit her website, EliseKova. com, for news and extras about her books!