Melissa Edwards of Stonesong Literary, my literary agent extraordinaire, for helping to make my writing dreams come true and being a champion of my work. She answers my multitude of questions as if I’ve only asked one and is such a phenomenal agent that I’m always in awe of her agenting prowess. I am so excited for the many successful collaborations with her that will be coming up.
Megha Parekh, my editor at Thomas & Mercer, another great champion. Megha really understood Nena’s story and her purpose. She recognized the importance of Nena’s unapologetic voice and her rich culture and wanted to broadcast it to the world. I don’t know how Megha keeps me all together, but she does. Caitlin Alexander, my developmental editor, for her grace, patience, and extraordinary ability to get more out of me than I knew was there. Laura Barrett, my production editor. I am missing more people from the team at Thomas & Mercer . . . but thank you!
To my writing friends—and now friends for life—Del Sandeen and Jane Igharo, who both read my book in its entirety and in its first draft. To read a writer’s work is one of the best gifts you can give them, and these ladies did that for me. I cherish their invaluable feedback, our brainstorm sessions, and them just being some bomb-ass ladies. To Tina Ehsanipour and Stephanie Jones: Our text group chats are always filled with encouragement about writing and mothering. We saw each other through some dark days. To Kellye Garrett, who is talented, hilarious, and generous with her time and expertise. Kellye also connected me with Shawn S. A. Crosby （who Kellye warned was tough）。 He read Nena’s earlier version and gave it his stamp of approval, confirming what I knew: Nena could keep up with the fellas. To Gia de Cadenet, who mentored me when I’d first landed on social media. She and her husband made sure the French in the book was as it should be. Whew!
To Sisters in Crime, for membership into their organization and for bestowing on me the honor of the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for emerging authors of color. Winning that award sparked the lightning strike that is Nena, setting all of this in motion. To Crime Writers of Color, the best and most talented online group of crime writers one could surround oneself with.
And finally, to all those who have been a part of my getting here: Mom Maxine, a phenomenal motherin-law, and my lovable stepsons, Vincent （Deuce） and Wilson; Christa Desir, who mentored me and taught me the editorial side of publishing, thus making me a better writer; members of the Twitter, Facebook, and Slack writing and author communities, who shared all things writing and gave an encouraging word or two—there are too many of you to name, but please know how much I truly appreciate you; my friends Catayah Clark and Jessica Ogburn, two of the best ladies I know both at the nine-to-five and after. They have been my biggest cheerleaders, provided the best words of wisdom, and pushed me to enjoy my accomplishments.
Lastly, many thanks and love to my fellow Ghanaians for allowing me grace to tell Nena’s story, which celebrates our culture, and for forgiving any mistakes I may have made in my imagining of Nena’s world. Good things are coming for Nena, and I can’t wait to share more of her with all of you.