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Getting from a manuscript to a book takes a lot of people, a lot of patience, and a whole lot of support. Especially a debut novel.

Some people who helped early on include freelance editor JillEllyn Riley, whose enthusiasm for the project and savvy notes helped to remove some of the most egregious faults and traps I had gotten into.

Joanna Volpe, Stephen Malk, Steve Meltzer, and Christi Ottaviano read early drafts and said helpful things that moved the manuscript forward and taught me what was missing. Sometimes those one or two notes can make a difference in getting it right. Or at least a whole lot better

When I wondered if I would ever find an agent who would represent this project, Colson Whitehead, brilliant author and fellow school parent, provided invaluable help. He asked his wife, Julie Barer, who provided me with a list of names, one of which was Holly Root.

Since the moment Holly signed on to be my agent, she has put up with all my questions, my occasional tantrums, and my general cluelessness with extraordinary good humor and smart and levelheaded advice. She has yet to steer me wrong, and every day with her is like a Hollyday. (She no doubt rolled her eyes at that, as she should.) She sold the manuscript to the right people—Delacorte Press was my first choice, so I was delighted when I found out that an editor there was actively pursuing the book.

That editor, to my eternal gratitude, is Kate Sullivan, who combines an unerring eye to spot the smallest flaw in logic or clumsy sentence with the vocabulary of a Teamster, and who in all honesty is the person most responsible for taking the manuscript and turning it into a
book.

Yes, I hear her say, that's my
job,
stupid. (She would probably edit out the word “stupid.”) But doing your job and doing it brilliantly are two very different things. I think she's one of the greats, and I sincerely hope we continue to do this together for a long time.

To Kate's name I must add a few more: the folks from Random House/Delacorte Press, who were essential in making this book look as good as it does.

A huge thank-you to:

The patient and brilliant art director Katrina Damkoehler, who found our astounding artist.

Octavi Navarro, who provided the kind of masterful cover and interior illustrations that make the twelve-year-old in all of us joyful.

Stephanie Moss, who designed the book so beautifully.

Copy editors Colleen Fellingham and Alison Kolani, who seemed to catch every errant “was” and missing “to” with incredible precision. I hope they will read these acknowledgments with equal attention!

Now to the personal.

No one has been more helpful in providing support, email addresses, and insight into the process than Mary Pender-Coplan. She is one of those “behind-the-scenes” people in publishing, and I am delighted to tell you for a change to pay attention to the person behind the curtain.

Special thanks to:

Matteo Bologna, typographer
straordinario
for his always wise advice, his friendship, and his inspirational fonts.

Melissa Kantor, who read the book early, gave brilliant and incisive notes, and encouraged me when no one I wasn't married to or related to by blood believed in me.

My mother-in-law, Alice Iwai, who has been a source of emotional support for her daughter and for me as long as we've been together.

My father-in-law, Chuck Iwai, and his lovely wife, Sherry, who have never once questioned his daughter's decision to marry a journeyman writer with nothing to give her but love and respect. They have always been in my corner, and I thank them for all they've given us.

My Aunt Cecille Markell has read more mysteries than anyone I know and passed her love of them on to me.

My sister, Dr. Mariana Markell, and her husband, Dr. Jody Blanco, and their children, Miranda, Max, and Peter, who have always provided a place for me and later my wife and son in their home and their hearts.

My brother-in-law, Jeff Iwai, and his wife, Wendy, and their three kids, Sam, Nick, and Emily, who have been an endless source of joy, laughter, and love when we have needed it (and when
don't
you need it?).

My parents, Robert and Joan Markell, who raised me in a house filled with music, art, great conversation (and listening), and of course a love of reading and good books, which they possess to this day. I love them more than I can ever express, and their unwavering support for their son and his often-wavering career has meant everything to me.

Every single day has been made richer, funnier, more delightful, and better in every way since Melissa Iwai agreed to go through life with me. I am constantly amazed by her love, loyalty, beauty (inside and out), wit, intelligence, and abundant gifts as an artist. By the way, she's also a great cook and mom.

Just ask the incredible, surprising, hilarious, and (in my humble opinion) adorable and brilliant person who is our son, Jamie. He is, and will always be, the greatest thing I've ever helped create.

This is Denis Markell's first novel, and he took writing it very seriously, playing hours and hours worth of escape-the-room games for research (or so he told his family). He also wrote or cowrote the following: an award-winning Off-Broadway musical revue; a few musical comedies for the stage; various and sundry sitcoms; a play with Joan Rivers; an episode of
Thundercats;
and two picture books illustrated by his wife, Melissa Iwai—
The Great Stroller Adventure
and
Hush, Little Monster.
He lives in a small apartment in Brooklyn with Melissa; their son, Jamie; and a Shetland pony named Ronaldo.