Anne Brown - Lies Beneath

I arched and turned, breaking the watery plane, the midnight air on my face. Lily watched from the dock, her hand raised. The memory of her kiss was still fresh on my lips, and I knew that with Lily, I was both free and imprisoned for all eternity.

This is the scary part where I get to thank all those people who helped me bring Calder and Lily to the world (and pray I haven’t left anyone out). In chronological order of events (because I’m a linear thinker) they are:

Everyone who introduced me to Lake Superior when I could barely walk—and who rescued me when I tumbled in;

My sister, Elizabeth, who told me to get off my butt and write something, for cripe’s sake;

My first three novels, which taught me what works and what doesn’t;

My parents, Steve and Deede Smith, who read the first draft of the first chapter of what would someday be Lies Beneath and told me to keep going;

The talented writers of the Minneapolis Writers Workshop, who caught my every misstep as I read Calder’s story aloud;

My beta readers and all-around cheerleaders, including Stephanie Landsem, Laura Sobiech, Beth Djalali, Weronika Janczuk, Therese Walsh, Elissa Hoole, the Apocalypsies, and my critique partner, Nina Badzin, who said, “I think this is the one!”;

Ian Baker, for forgetting his book at home and loving For Weasel (which won’t make much sense to anyone but him, but I am sincerely indebted, kid);

My enthusiatic agents, Jacqueline Flynn, Jenny Meyer, and Rich Green; and

Françoise Bui, for her keen insight and finely tuned questions, as well as all the good folks at Delacorte Press and Random House Children’s Books.

Big hugs to my three beautifully weird kids, Samantha, Matthew, and Sophie, whose joy and creativity brighten my world. Let this be a lesson to you. Never give up on your dreams.

And finally, thanks to my husband, Greg: at the end of the day, it’s always you.