And as always, thank you to my family—my daughter, Athena, who is becoming a fantastic writer in her own right, and my wife, Kristine. Krissy had to watch me struggle through trying to write that earlier novel in 2020, and I know it was difficult for her to see me not quite make it work, because she was concerned for me and because she knows that this is usually a thing I can do well. It’s never great to see your spouse struggle with their work.
But through it all she was terrific and supportive, because she’s a great spouse, and also, pretty much the best person I know. And when I chucked the other novel over the side and started writing KPS, she was cheering me along and reading the chapters as I went and always asking for the next one, which I was always happy to give her. I’ve said before that she is the reason you have books from me at all. It’s even more the case with this one. I really do owe everything to her.
One more: Thank you. I’m happy you’re reading me.
Finally, here’s a fun fact: I finished writing this book on the day the events in the book come to a close. I didn’t plan that. But it’s cool that it happened.
—John Scalzi
March 20, 2021