Acts of Violet

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Caroline Bleeke: You were attuned to the story I wanted to tell, as it was taking shape, and you nurtured it every step of the way. Thank you for your insights and encouragement, your warmth and wisdom, and those killer brainstorming sessions.

Philippa Sitters: I’m ever so grateful for your ongoing support—and not just career-wise (handling delicate writer egos is an essential yet underrated agent superpower). I also appreciate your valuable input on this book and your inside stories of the fame-adjacent.

Michelle Hazen: Your gorgeous persistence and positivity helped wrangle me out of a creative conundrum. Thank you for reading early pages with generosity and enthusiasm, and for your continued friendship.

I’m tremendously grateful to the dream team at Flatiron Books and Macmillan, including Sydney Jeon, Claire McLaughlin, Katherine Turro, Megan Lynch, Malati Chavali, Bob Miller, Marlena Bittner, Nancy Trypuc, Keith Hayes, Kelly Gatesman, Jaya Miceli, Jeremy Pink, Donna Noetzel, Eva Diaz, Shelly Perron, Rima Weinberg, Katy Robitzski, Drew Kilman, and Emily Dyer.

Thank you to all the talented folks at PFD, including Rebecca Wearmouth, Lucy Barry, Antonia Kasoulidou, and Lisette Verhagen in foreign rights, and Jonathan Sissons and Rosie Gurtovoy in dramatic rights. Thank you also to Amandine Riche at DGA.

Kayla Drescher: It means so much that you took the time to share your experiences as a professional magician and answer my bazillion questions. I’m also grateful to you and Carissa Hendrix for creating the Shezam podcast—its unvarnished and fascinating perspective on being a woman in magic was a vital resource in researching this book.

Bridget McGraw-Bordeaux: thank you for reading quickly, for offering the exact constructive feedback I needed, and for your endless curiosity and enduring sisterhood.

Natalie, Stephanie, Asha, and Jeanine: thank you for your kindness, openness, empathy, advice, and for making our CPSG a safe space.

Librarians, booksellers, book clubs, fellow authors, any and all members of the reading community: I cannot thank you enough. Your passion and tireless endorsements of books and authors are invaluable, and your ongoing support for Oona Out of Order has been life-changing. Special shoutouts to Pamela Klinger-Horn, Mary Webber O’Malley, Luisa Smith, Darla Dykstra, Zibby Owens, Robin Kall, Adriana Trigiani, and Jordan Moblo, though my gratitude extends to countless others. I’m also thankful to the staff members at POWERHOUSE Arena, Porter Square Books, and Peoples’ Books & Culture, who hosted me in person during my launch week, just before the lockdown.

There were several books that were instrumental for research and inspiration: Fooling Houdini by Alex Stone, Hiding the Elephant by Jim Steinmeyer, Magic Is Dead by Ian Frisch, Playing Dead by Elizabeth Greenwood, and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (while not about stage magic, it massively helped reignite my writing spark).

I also want to take a moment to recognize some of the numerous women who have had an impact on the world of magic, including but not limited to: Adelaide Herrmann, Fay Presto, Dorothy Dietrich, Misty Lee, Minerva, Jade, Ariann Black, Celeste Evans, Lisa Menna, Kristen Johnson, Magic Babe Ning, Judy Carter, and Melinda.

Mom, thank you for all the love, and for telling anyone and everyone about my books. I hope I keep making you proud.

Cooper, thank you for being an eternally adorable diva and for getting me outside more. (Sorry for referring to you as “and dog” in my author bio.)

Terry, you are everything. You are home. Thank you for the pencils. And the sandwiches. And the laughs. And for keeping the rest of the world turning when I’m in a bubble, writing and otherwise. You’re so cool.