GLISSANDO: A musical notation indicating that there should be a glide from one note to another KLAVIER: A general term for an instrument with a keyboard
LARGO: A tempo marking indicating a piece should be played very slowly OSTINATO: A repeating musical phrase
PIZZICATO: A playing style which involves plucking strings with fingers instead of bowing PRESTO: A tempo marking, indicating a piece should be played very quickly
RITARDANDO: A change in tempo indicating a gradual slowing down
SCORDATURA: The tuning of a stringed instrument different from its standard tuning, e.g., a violin is tuned to G-D-A-E; the scordatura referenced in Wintersong is the retuning of the strings to G-G-D-D
SONATA: A musical composition written to be played (as opposed to sung), the definition and form of which has changed over the years SONATINEN: The plural of sonatina, or “little (short)” sonatas
SOTTO VOCE: Not actually a musical term, but it means the dropping of one’s voice for emphasis VIOLONCELLO: The precursor to the cello
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First books are a dream, but second books are a nightmare. If you were to page through the acknowledgments of nearly every author who has ever had the privilege (punishment?) of writing a second book, you’ll likely see multiple variations on the same theme:
WRITING IS REALLY, REALLY HARD.
Debut novels are not always the first novels written; Wintersong was certainly not my first. But I consider Shadowsong my first Real novel—the first written under contract, the first written under deadline, and the first written knowing it will be published and read by people other than myself. If Wintersong was the book that introduced me to a wider audience, then Shadowsong is the one that made me a Real writer.
No book is ever written in a vacuum, and I would be remiss if I did not give a nod to all the people who helped me through the strange and wondrous process that is publishing. First and foremost, I need to thank my editor, Eileen Rothschild. Eileen, being with you is like coming home. You knew me as a friend, a peer, and a colleague before you knew me as a writer, and I am grateful for your guidance in shaping this manuscript. Here’s to many more!
And as always, thanks to Katelyn Detweiler, agent and author extraordinaire, as well as everyone at Jill Grinberg Literary Management who helped bring Wintersong and Shadowsong to the world: Cheryl Pientka, Denise St. Pierre, and Jill Grinberg. Thanks also to Tiffany Shelton, Brittani Hilles, Karen Masnica, DJ Smyter, and everyone else who worked on my books at St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books.
Art and commerce are strange bedfellows; a shout-out to all my fellow authors who helped me navigate the boundaries. Thanks and coffee whiskey are owed to Roshani Chokshi, Sarah Nicole Lemon, and Renée Ahdieh for the career advice and commiseration, but moreover for keeping me grounded and sane, and for being my lighthouses in the storm. Hugs and drinks are also owed to Marie Lu, Vicki Lame, Kelly Van Sant, Leigh Bardugo, Sabaa Tahir, Carrie Ryan, Beth Revis, everyone in Fight Me Club, and all my fellow Pub(lishing) Crawl members for the laughter, the shoulders to cry on, and the much-needed doses of reality.
To my readers, thanks and glitter for everything. It’s so wonderful knowing I am not alone in my love of all things goth and David Bowie.
Last, but certainly not least, all my love and gratitude to my family. For Grandma, Uncle Steve, Aunt Robin and Scott, thank you for all your support and pride in my work. For my mother, father, baby brother, and Halmeoni, you are my bedrock and my anchor. Thank you for the gift of my life.
And for Bear. Thank you for showing me how the monstrous can be loved. I am loved. I love you.