Sister Pact (23 page)

There is no way to explain how many people helped me write this book and I'm sure I'm leaving someone super important out. To that person, please accept my apology. This writing stuff is hard.

To start I'd like to thank my agent, Nicole Resciniti, for plucking me out of the slush pile and believing in this book to begin with. For saying it's too beautiful of a book to stay on my computer, and for all of the hand-holding and endless explaining she's had to do to date and will likely have to do in the future. You rock.

Next, I'd like to thank Annette Pollert-Morgan for loving this book. And the incredibly talented and hardworking team at Sourcebooks for working tirelessly to polish this book, make a beautiful cover, market it, and help me at every stage of the way.

As for my writing tribe, there are so many of you and I'm grateful for you all. Specifically, I'd like to thank Amanda Coppedge Bosky for being my first SCBWI friend and critique group leader. And Alex Flinn for being my first conference critique.

My writing journey definitely started in Florida SCBWI, but I met Jacqueline Garlick Pyneart, Bridget Casey, and Tracy Clark in the Nevada Mentoring Program. They were my Inner Circle there, and I'm so lucky to have them in my writing life! While we are talking about Nevada, I have to thank Ellen Hopkins and Suzy Morgan Williams for their mentorship during and after that incredible program, and to my wonderful Nevada mentor who has now become a friend, Terri Farley. All of you were among the first people who saw potential in my writing. There are not enough thanks in the world for that!

While we are discussing writing mentors, Joyce Sweeney has to top the list of best evers. She's been a general when she's had to, a nursemaid, a psychologist, a teacher, a be-all-end-all. Just so you know, I write these books just to make you cry in public.

As for critique groups, I have to thank Linda Salem Marlow and Donna Gephart and the PGAs who may be the best critique group that's ever let me in. You all are the real deal and teach me by example how to live my life as a writer. Thank you also to Sylvia Andrews and the Palm Springs Group. Sylvia is such a thoughtful leader who understands how to make writing personal. A special thank you to Jill Nadler who I met in both of those groups. She's brought me chicken soup when I was sick and encouraged me when I was down. She's the true definition of friend.

Onto the Tuesdays. Jonathan Rosen has been more than the leader of that group. He's been a great friend to me and terrific coach to us all, specifically Joanne Butcher, Melody Maysonet, Faran Fagen, and Cathy Castelli. You all have been so key in my writing life and I'm glad I have you.

To David Case and Laen Ghiloni, who saw very early drafts of this book, I thank you for your honest critique, always. Thank you to Jamie Morris who
prompted
me to write this book.

Thanks to the Wellington critique group and my coleader, Gail Shepherd, who is one of the best writers I know.

Two writing mentors don't feel like enough, so I'd like to add Lorin Oberweger to the group. She's been essential in helping me keep my sanity in a truly insane business.

And to Steven Dos Santos who has been my pace car throughout this entire journey. Watching you and having you in my corner is what gave me the courage to follow your mantra
just keep writing
. Thank you for everything. Muah!

To my HellYA girls, Marjetta Geerling, Jill MacKenzie, and Ty Shiver. Thank you for deciding that we were going to do this. HellYa we are!

Now onto my family. To Wendy Hartmann Moore who isn't technically part of my biological family, but has been in my life forever, has never given up on me, and who has been like a sister to me in all things and in all ways. I heart you, girl. The Kreiders and the Macphauls have also been like family to me. This whole writing gig started with you, Consuelo. Big smooch.

To my wonderful mother-in-law, Kathleen Ramey, thank you for always being so supportive and for that ‘believe in yourself' card. It seemed to do the trick. As for the rest of the Ramey clan, specifically, the west coast Rameys, including Emerson, Miles, and Meagan, thanks for your being your beautiful selves. You are the reason my family is always California dreaming!

To my brother and sister, Bonnie and Mark. I know I kid around a lot about how you tormented me as a kid (that's all still true which is why it's in my official bio!), but to be completely honest and serious, (for once), you two have always been the best and most supportive siblings a girl could be lucky enough to have. You keep me tethered to the world. As do your beautiful children, my niece, Rachel, and baby niecey, Becca. Love them both so much. Also, big thanks to Heidi who helps make our family complete.

To my children, Andrew, Gabe, and Lexi, you are amazing and creative and so positive in a world of crazy negative people. You are my world. To my doggies, Roxy and Fetch: Woof!

To JKR, who, aside from being the most supportive spouse in history, is my universe, and without him, there is nothing.

Stacie Ramey learned to read at a very early age to escape the endless tormenting from her older siblings. She attended the University of Florida, where she majored in communication sciences, and Penn State, where she received a master of science in speech pathology. When she's not writing, she engages in Netflix wars with her children or beats her husband in Scrabble. She lives in Wellington, Florida, with her husband, three children, and two rescue dogs.