Denton Little's Deathdate (28 page)

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Denton Little's Birthdate

coming spring 2016

Thanks for reading this book! And also for feeling invested enough in it to want to read the acknowledgments. You are cool.

Huge thanks from all four chambers of my heart go to:

All of the early readers, whose thoughts, criticism, and encouragement were invaluable: Katie Schorr and Mariel Rubin (who both read the first two hundred words written and were so encouraging, as if they could really tell anything from that one paragraph), Zack Wagman, Ray Muñoz, Dustin Rubin (whose in-depth story notes were particularly amazing), Julie Harnik, Hannah Smith, David Smith, Rachael Weiner, Dayne Feehan (the book's first actual young adult reader), Erin Rubin, and Todd Goldstein.

Mollie Glick, agent extraordinaire, for her astute guidance, her refreshing honesty, and her general knack for getting shit done. Thanks also to the other superb humans
at Foundry Literary + Media, including Jess Regel, Emily Brown, Sara DeNobrega, Emily Morton, and Katie Hamblin.

Nancy Siscoe, my terrific editor, for loving all the same things about this book that I do, having a hawk-eye for detail, and being so generous with her “Ha!”s. Thanks also to the rest of the amazing team at Knopf BFYR and Random House, including Angela Carlino, Katherine Harrison, Heather Kelly, Artie Bennett, and all the super people in sales, marketing, and publicity.

Zack Wagman, BFF of the century, who has supported my creative endeavors for decades and has been one of this book's greatest champions since the first draft. Thanks for all the sharp insights and enlightening conversation, and for talking up Denton all over the land. Rubber chicken vids 4eva.

Ray Muñoz, one of the most hilarious human beings of all time and an even better friend. You know the deal.

Stephen Feehan, MRHS, Lenny's on 9th Avenue, Fearless 15ers, Iconis and Family, BTTF, Argo Tea, Andy Hertz and TBBME:TM, the Gang, Birch Coffee, EST, Brown, the Tea Lounge, UCB, the NYC, and everyone who responded in a genuinely supportive way when I told them I was writing a YA novel.

Firecracker grandmother Minna Rubin, incredibly supportive in-laws Jenny and Larry Schorr, and happiness maker Sly Rubin (though he didn't exist when most of this was written, the idea of him was hugely motivating).

Mom and Dad, two wonderful, funny people, whose unconditional love and unwavering support of my creative career path have been two of the biggest gifts of my life.

And, above all, thanks to Katie Schorr, whose intellect, humor, love, ability to talk out this book for literally hours on end, and steadfast confidence in me, even when I had nothing of the sort, have meant the world. She made this book way better, and she makes life way more fun. Thanks, Kit.