I’m delighted to welcome my new book, The Song of the Swan, into the world. Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio, you will find it at all major book retailers and indie bookstores (see here for a list of bookstores offering copies alongside signed bookplates!).

I’d like to share here the acknowledgements page from the book. This book had a long journey, and I am so grateful to the people who made it a reality:

I am grateful to those who helped this book throughout its long, pandemic-addled process. Ralph, thank you for everything. Your humor, your creative insight, your encouragement, your love. Katie Grimm, my agent, who I am very lucky to partner with on this publishing journey. Katherine Harrison, my editor, who saw the heart of this book and pushed it to be its best self. Pauliina Hannuniemi, Bob Bianchini and Jen Valero, for illustrations and design beyond my wildest dreams.

At Knopf Books for Young Readers and Random House Children’s Books, thank you to Gianna Lakenauth, Artie Bennett, Renée Cafiero, Lisa Leventer, Lili Feinberg, Kathy Dunn, Nathan Kinney, Jake Eldred, and so many more for your work on this book and A Wolf for a Spell.

Lots of writers read iterations of this book, and I especially appreciate those who suffered through terrible early drafts and still gave words of encouragement. Adrianna Cuevas, Swati Teerdhala, Scott Rhoades, Adelle Yeung, Jennifer Lauren Brown, Diana DeBolt Johnson, and thanks to Graci Kim and Mel Harding-Shaw for the chats and support. Kathy, Claire, Lauren, Sarah: all the love and hugs. And love and thank you to my talented creative whānau in Aotearoa and Australia: Jeremy, Maddi, Joel, Mouce, Zola, Claire, Marcus, Saoirse, Fiona, Julian, Caspian, Nicola, and Polly. To my PikPok team, who asked me to sign their books and sent words of encouragement on my writing days. And to Amanda, Cheryl, Evan, and other former bookstore colleagues who have been such champions.

I wouldn’t be who I am without my family. To Mom, Maia, Sabrina, Matt, and Dad: I love you. And love and thanks to the Uptons, Norrisses, and Mendells: especially with this book to Philippa for reading and sharing thoughtful insights, to fellow writers Jeanette and Greg for their passionate support, and to Ravi, Charlie, Imogen, Harriet, Henry, Sebastian, and Zoe.

To anyone who read and shared A Wolf for a Spell, thank you. This book is for you.