Fairytale of New York (33 page)

I’ve read so many authors’ thank-you’s and they always seem to miss the most important people—the ones that pick up their book from the shelves. So I’d like to thank
you
first. And let you know that, when you chose my book, you officially made my day. I hope my book officially makes yours in return!

Thanks to the wonderful, über-talented community on Authonomy.com, who supported my book when it was
Coffee at Kowalski’s.
I have made so many firm friends on the site and love being part of such an awesome bunch of people. Thanks especially to Simon Forward and Philip Gilliver, who championed my book in the Forums, Matt ‘Sesty’ Dick and Kim ‘Inky’ Curran—all incredible authors in their own right and great friends to boot. Thanks also to the lovely Laura, Clive and the Authonomy team.

Huge thanks to the amazing team at Avon, who have not only helped this complete newbie to understand the scary world of publishing but who have also given me the encouragement and space to create something I hope everyone will be proud of: Maxine Hitchcock, for her faith in me and excellent advice; the truly gorgeous Sammia Rafique, my editor, for going above and beyond in everything from editorial advice to sharing a love of chick-flicks (I
told
you you’d love
While
You Were Sleeping
); also thanks to Keshini Naidoo and Yvonne Holland.

Finally, thanks to my fantastic family and friends, who have encouraged and inspired me more than any of them realise; Mum, Dad, Bev, Ro, Freya and Gran; the wonderful Whites and Davies’; the truly awesome former Edenhurst/Peppermints massive; my brilliant family at Calvary Church, Kingswinford; Helen (best mate extraordinaire); Linsey, for bugging me till she got the next chapter; Danielle for proof-reading and being a great chum; and my lovely Bob, who is my best friend and Prince Charming rolled into one. For everything, all honour to the Master Storyteller, who knows me better than anyone else.

Dreams
can
come true—you’re holding one in your hands right now.

FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK

Miranda Dickinson has always had a head full of stories. From an early age she dreamed of writing a book that would make the heady heights of Kingswinford Library. Following a Performance Art degree, she began to write in earnest when a friend gave her The World’s Slowest PC. She is also a singer-songwriter.
Fairytale of New York
is her first novel. To find out more about Miranda visit www.miranda-dickinson.com

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.