The Inventor's Secret (25 page)

The central characters of
The Inventor’s Secret,
a band
of teenagers who are the children of men and women
still resisting British rule, are struggling to survive in this
alternate reality: Having failed to secure the aid of France
in the war, George Washington and the Continental
Army are unable to defeat British forces. The revolution is
quelled, its ringleaders hanged as traitors, and the United
States never born.

The year is 1816, just after the Napoleonic Wars
conclude in Europe, and the British Empire is on the verge
of achieving dominance in the Western Hemisphere. As
the novel’s protagonists uncover nefarious secrets and
confront the violent tyranny of the Empire, they come to
grips with the very questions that remain at the heart of
American identity. What is the value of liberty? At what
cost must it be won?

HE INVENTOR’S SECRET
has a special place
in my heart because it brings together two of my
passions: history and fantasy. My amazing agenting trio at InkWell Management, Richard Pine,

Charlie Olsen, and Lyndsey Blessing, are always my first
and best advocates as I begin to nurture a new creative
project. I’m indebted to Penguin Young Readers for traveling into an alternate past and a new world so this book
could come to life. Thank you to Don Weisberg and Jen
Loja for letting me forge a new path. The enthusiasm of the
sales, marketing, publicity, and school and library teams
fuel my writing more than the strongest cups of coffee ever
good. Thanks especially to Shanta, Emily R., Erin, Elyse,
Laura, Lisa, Elizabeth, Marisa, Jessica, Kristina, Molly,
Courtney, Anna, Scottie, and Felicia.

Thank you to Michael Green for that first conversation
about steampunk and the amazing history of New York.
Jill Santopolo, my amazing editor, helps me strike the right
balance between action and romance and never lets me neglect the swoony boys—which I love. Thanks to Kiffin and
Brian for all their work.

I soldier on with the support of wonderful, creative
friends: David Levithan, Eliot Schrefer, and Sandy London
help me laugh and sing. Beth Revis, Marie Lu, and Jessica Spotswood are my sisters forever. Elizabeth Eulberg,
Michelle Hodkin, and Casey Jarrin inspire me with their
talent, spirit and love. Thanks to Conor Anderson, Rachel
Noggle, and Eric Otremba for keeping me excited about
this project.

I am ever grateful for my exceptional family. Thanks
to my mom and dad for all their love. Thank you to Garth
and Sharon for being such amazing people and for making
me the happiest Auntie Annie.