Headlights(128)

This book took a village to write. The idea came to me suddenly and without warning, parts of this story so clear from the get-go, so real to me, that it was almost as though these characters existed already and I’d just somehow stumbled upon them in the dark. And all the rest, I knew almost nothing about. Less than nothing. I really couldn’t have done it without my early readers. Please note that anything I got wrong in these pages, it is solely my responsibility and doing, and certainly in spite of, not because of the contributions of these readers.

First, thank you so much to my family whose Colorado expertise and life experience has been invaluable. Andrew, Andrea, Alex, Brittany, Emily, and everyone who answered my endless questions over years of Thanksgiving meals and weddings and calls, thank you. To Phil, whose legal expertise absolutely saved me, and whose own writing mind helped me work through some of the bigger problems, thank you. I love all of you, and all the rest of our families so much.

Anna Dupre, you absolute goddess and horror queen, none of us deserve you. Thank you so much for your forensic expertise and your friendship. Craig Grossi, I am so inspired by everything you do, write, and put out into the world. Thank you so much for helping me as I try to give veterans the honor and respect they deserve in these pages. And thank you for your service. To every reader here, I cannot recommend Craig’s books enough.

To Chad and Adam, the perpetual dream team, I am so lucky to have you both in my corner. Thank you for everything, always. To the whole of the Nightfire team, who have provided the most incredible home for my books, and specifically Hannah Smoot, Cassidy Sattler, Jordan Hanley, Devi Pillai, Lucille Rettino, Saraciea Fennell, Jessica Katz, Rafal Gibek, Michael Dudding, and Valeria Castorena for their work on this one. To copyeditor extraordinaire Angus Johnston, thank you for your keen eye. To Christine Foltzer and Carly Janine Mazur for the amazing work-of-art covers I couldn’t even have dreamt up in my wildest imaginings, and to Ryan Pfluger for the most beautiful, perfect photograph. And to Kelly Lonesome, for your continued belief in and support of my books, and your truly brilliant ideas. I really found the editor of my dreams, and I feel so lucky to get to create with you.

To the whole of the horror writer, reader, librarian, bookseller, bookstagrammer, podcaster community, you have all given me such an amazing home here, and I am forever grateful. Liz Kerin and Chuck Tingle, our writing meetups and friendship have been such an immense joy and touchstone in my life. I got so lucky with you both. To the whole LA horror crew, LA friends, New York friends, friends elsewhere, everywhere, you’re all my world, and I love you all more than I can say. And to Rachel Harrison, for your encouraging words and wisdom over drinks one day in New Jersey that got me through this book. I don’t think you know what a difference you made, but thank you times a million.

As always, to Kyle, for being the most incredible partner to walk this life with. You are my favorite writer and person, forever and ever. I cannot wait for the world to get to read all your brilliant words this year, and for many years to come. Thank you for believing in this book, and in me.

To my parents, who are the best in the world, and who I am so lucky to have, I love you.

And to everyone I love who’s crossed over into that great and beautiful night. I miss you every day. Safe passage in your cosmic travels, and please come back and visit whenever you can.

I’ll leave my lights on. And I’ll never stop watching for yours.