Farah Rishi - I Hope You Get This Message

Jesse let out a shaky laugh. He almost couldn’t believe the wolves were together, were safe . He’d been so sure they’d be hunted down, one by one. It was practically a miracle.

Corbin continued, “If we all survive this thing, if Alma decides to spare us, I want to do stuff like that. I have to keep reminding myself that I don’t have to sit here and feel helpless, for Mari’s sake. I can do something—like the Jarvises.”

He turned to look at Jesse. “Like what you did for so many people. Whether you realize it or not.”

“It’s not over,” said Jesse.

His fingers found Corbin’s.

“Look!” Mari cried suddenly. She was pointing out the window.

Jesse couldn’t see it at first. An impenetrable silence nestled comfortably between them as he and Corbin looked to the horizon line, hand in hand.

And then, light.

Mari—

Intergalactic beings have watched Earth envelop itself in darkness for millennia. But in every shroud of darkness, there are small beings such as yourself who, when dealt a cruel hand by fate, still carry the strength to smile.

Your smile breaks through the dark. Your pain is where the light enters you. And your kindness is a guiding light for others.

And that holds a power that even we fear.

Small being, no matter what happens, never let that power go.

This book would not have been possible without the countless number of people who dragged my tired soul across these pages.

I owe so much to Rosemary Brosnan and Alexandra Cooper at HarperTeen, who supported me when I needed it most. I also owe a world of gratitude to the rest of the wonderful team at Harper who’ve brought this book to life: Alyssa Miele, Allison Weintraub, Jon Howard, Janet Rosenberg, Monique Vescia, Allison Brown, Ebony LaDelle, Michael D’Angelo, and Jacquelynn Burke. You are all so magical to me.

Genius designers Erin Fitzsimmons and Catherine San Juan have truly humbled me with this cover, and having the illustration of living, breathing art god Adams Carvalho grace my debut is nothing short of amazing.

Endless thanks to my sensitivity readers, whose insight and advice helped make my book—make all books—just a little bit kinder. The work sensitivity readers do is invaluable.

I’m so lucky to have been able to work with the awe-inspiring fairy godqueens at Glasstown Entertainment, past and present: Lauren Oliver, Lexa Hillyer, Deeba Zargarpur, Emily Berge-Thielmann, Kat Cho, Lynley Bird, Rebecca Kuss, Diana Sousa, Kamilla Benko, Alexa Wejko, and Jessica Sit. Words cannot describe how thankful I am, which is a problem, because words are supposed to be my job now. Alas, you are all just that wonderful. Stephen Barbara and Lyndsey Blessing have also been behind the scenes, kindly guiding this little story on its own publishing road trip. Thank you for believing in me.

When I was still in law school and unsure of whether I should chase my writing dream, I found Marri and Kate, who gave me the support I needed to find my way. Thank you for being there, quietly and lovingly cheering me on through our shared writing adventures.

If my books are any good, it is because I learned from Jeanne Cavelos, wise sage of the Odyssey Writing Workshop and patron saint to all aspiring writers. Even as I write now, it’s your voice I hear in my mind, helping me grow. A special thank you to Mary Robinette Kowal, whose fierce reassurance during the workshop is the reason why I kept writing.

Speaking of Odyssey, I owe all the hugs to my dear friends I made during those six fever-dream weeks: Gigi, Wendy, Rebecca, Mike, Michael, Matthew, Matt, and Hal. And the Tomatoes: thank you, Pablo and Linden, my favorite beautiful goth duo; Richard, a constant source of good cheer and good suggestions; Josh, my forever-favorite “frenemy,” for reminding me the true meaning of strength; Jeremy, my most patient Turtle Sensei; and RK, my soul sister, my Jade Blossom, my behna. I love you all so much.

I would not be here without the work of the Muslim trailblazers before me who have convinced audiences that their stories—our stories—deserve to be told and fought for. Thank you to Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali, whose constant encouragement kept the fire in me alive, and Karuna Riazi, who held my hand and coaxed me down a path I never thought would be mine. Inshallah, I will pay it forward.

So many friends and family have buoyed me through this journey. For always being the first on my doorstep with a fire extinguisher whenever hell broke loose, I am forever grateful to Farheen, who has, for many years, made me a better person. I’m also grateful to Cara (my personal Ms. Takemoto) and Ethan. Thank you for your friendship, and for giving me video-game nights to look forward to in the midst of impending deadlines. Shaan and Alina, my Sea Salt Squad: even if we weren’t related, I’d wish we were.

So much love to Stephen, my best friend, my partner: Thank you for feeding me and watering me and giving me sunlight. Your love keeps me alive. Literally.

I became an orphan while writing this book, but I’d like to think my parents are watching over me. So thank you, Dad, for showing me my capabilities, and Mom, for showing me my limits. Please look after me, okay?

Thank you, dear reader, who holds my heart in your hand. You’ve given me a chance and I will not squander it.

And last but by no means least: thank you, Shaz. If I could, I would drive across the world to find you just to hug you tightly and call you an idiot, one last time. I miss you, little brother. So very much.

FARAH NAZ RISHIis a Pakistani American Muslim writer and voice actor, but in another life, she’s worked stints as a lawyer, a video game journalist, and an editorial assistant. She received her BA in English from Bryn Mawr College, her JD from Lewis & Clark Law School, and her love of weaving stories from the Odyssey Writing Workshop. When she’s not writing, she’s probably hanging out with video game characters. You can find her at home in Philadelphia, or on Twitter at @far_ah_way.

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I Hope You Get This Message

Do You Ever Wonder About Us

“The end of the world has never been this mesmerizing. I couldn’t look away from Farah Naz Rishi’s stunning debut that shows humanity in all its many shades of truth.”

“Clear-eyed and grounded, this stellar, startling debut challenges our very humanity, forcing us to grapple with what’s most important in the face of a global crisis. Imaginative, funny, and frank, I Hope You Get This Message is a must-read debut about love, loss, hope, and the real-world choices we make in our final days.”

“ I Hope You Get This Message is a stunning and bold debut, the kind of cinematic, sweeping story that is devoured in a single sitting. Which I did. Part Arrival , part They Both Die at the End , this is an emotional tale of three kids who face their own demise with hope, courage, and a whole lot of bad decisions. A must-read.”