Brenda Drake, thank you for making such a selfless sacrifice to help so many writers achieve our dreams. Ashley Hearn, you poured your heart and your brilliant mind into this manuscript and you helped me tell the story I wanted to tell the entire time. I love you and I’m so lucky to have been mentored by you!
Hillary Jacobson and Alexandra Machinist, you both defy the term “dream agents” because you’re above and beyond anything I could’ve ever dreamed. You’re brilliant and fierce and I’m so blessed to work with you. Thank you for making the impossible possible.
To Josie Freedman, the most epic film agent ever, thank you for taking me from dreaming of working on a movie to talking with some of the coolest people in Hollywood about my movie. Hana Murrell, Alice Dill, Mairi Friesen-Escandell, and Roxane Edouard, thank you for making my story global. It literally means the world.
Jon Yaged and Jean Feiwel, thank you for believing in me and this series in a way that’s never been done before. You’ve made Macmillan such a wonderful home, and I’m blessed to publish this book with you guys.
DEAREST CHRISTIAN TRIMMER! You’re my Mama Agba: the badass, magical, impeccably dressed elder who gives me tea, a metal staff, and sage wisdom when I need it the most. Thank you for being an incredible champion for me and this book!
DEAREST QUEEN EMPRESS TIFFANY LIAO! You are my Amari. You got down and dirty and stabbed the arena captain to save my life, and you braided my hair on the boat and told me that you believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Tiff, you are everything and I am blessed to work with such an incredible and brilliant woman. Rich Deas, every line, stroke, and letter in this book is nothing short of brilliant. Thank you for putting the most stunning cover on the book of my heart.
To my Macmillan publicity and marketing team, YOU GUYS ARE INCREDIBLE! Thanks for everything you’ve poured into introducing this book to the world. To my wonderful publicist Molly Ellis, the best days are the ones where I get to email you ten times. I feel so lucky to work with you. Kathryn Little, you’re a brilliant, badass director, and I’ve loved every moment I’ve gotten to interact with you. Mary Van Akin, I can’t type your name without thinking “AND YOU ARE A RENEGADE!” and laughing. You’re the BEST hype woman in publishing. #BBs for life. Mariel Dawson, you’re a goddess and everything you’ve done for this book has been as beautiful and epic as you are. Ashley Woodfolk, you wonderful writer, marketer, and friend. I love you and eternal happy book birthday to The Beauty That Remains! Allison Verost, I know that none of this incredible campaign could’ve happened without your guidance and support. And special thanks to the rest of my amazing team, including Brittany Pearlman, Teresa Ferraiolo, Lucy Del Priore, Katie Halata, Morgan Dubin, Robert Brown, and Jeremy Ross.
Thank you to the Macmillan sales team for your love and support of the book, with special thanks to Jennifer Gonzalez, Jessica Brigman, Jennifer Edwards, Claire Taylor, Mark Von Bargen, Jennifer Golding, Sofrina Hinton, Jaime Ariza, and AJ Murphy. To Tom Nau and everyone in Production who worked with our deadlines to turn this into a real thing! To Melinda Ackell, Valerie Shea, and the copyeditors for your hard work. To Patrick Collins, who made the inside of this book as beautiful as the outside. To Laura Wilson, Brisa Robinson, and Borana Greku at Macmillan Audio. And to every single person in that wonderful building who has done anything for this book, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To the CBB Film Team, there are no words to describe what it means to me to have you behind this movie. Thank you for your enthusiasm and passion for this story. Patrik Medley and Clare Reeth, you are wonderful humans with the most wonderful smiles. Thank you for loving this book and helping it find an amazing home. Elizabeth Gabler, Gillian Bohrer, and Jiao Chen, thank you for giving this book an incredible home with a studio that’s made so many of my favorite movies. I’ve loved every minute spent getting to know you, and I can’t wait for everything to come. Karen Rosenfelt, thank you for bringing your brilliance into producing this movie. Wyck Godfrey, thank you for bringing your love and enthusiasm to this project for as long as you could! Marty Bowen, John Fischer, and Temple Hill Productions, thank you for making the movies I’ve loved since I was a teen, and for adding CBB to your epic list. David Magee and Luke Durett, thank you for creating the brilliant script.
Barry Haldeman, Joel Schoff, Neil Erickson, thank you for working so hard to guide me through this crazy process!
Romina Garber, you’re a light to the universe and a blazing sun in my own life. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and support. Marissa Lee, you’re talented beyond words and you’ve made me a better person and a better writer. Thank you for all the love and joy you’ve brought into my life! Kristen Ciccarelli, I’m forever grateful for all the times you’ve helped me work through this story and through my own struggles. My life, my book, and my heart are better because I have you. Kester “Kit” Grant, my darling writing wife! You’re a beautiful person inside and out, and I can’t wait for the world to meet A Court of Miracles. Hillary’s Angelz, thank you for the endless source of love, support, and laughs!
Shea Standefer, you are the most compassionate human I’ve ever met, and your talent knows no bounds. Adalyn Taylor Grace, LOLOLOLOMG! You’re my eternal partner in crime and you let me send you so many pictures of BTS and other random men and that makes you a true friend. Thank you both for always being there for me and this book.
Daniel José Older, Sabaa Tahir, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko, thank you for creating the stories that made me want to create this book. Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Cordova, and DJO, thank you for helping me make CBB into a story I’m proud to put into the world. Angie Thomas, Leigh Bardugo, Nic Stone, Renée Ahdieh, Marie Lu, and Jason Reynolds, thank you for the love, support, guidance, and inspiration you’ve each given me at different points throughout my journey. I’m proud to be writing in a time when incredible authors like you are putting stories into the world.