beneath the surface and snare the Charmer’s foot, dragging them into deep water. It’s imperative that a Charmer does not resist. If they do, the beast will become irritated and either kill them or release them and flee. If the Charmer remain calm, it will continue to swim until it senses the Charmer’s lungs giving out. At that point, it will leap out of the water and place the Charmer on the bank. Then, it will press its snout to their chest and use magic to coax any water from their lungs and encourage them to breathe. Now that the Charmer has become one with the water in its eyes, it is ready to be tamed.
Acknowledgments
Writing is an all-consuming activity. You lose yourself in the process, forget to eat (sometimes), live on coffee (all the time), and devote yourself completely to creating an entirely different world. And throughout all that, there are people holding you up. Reminding you to eat (thanks, babe). Bringing you coffee. Cheering you on. Offering advice, friendship, laughter—most certainly a shoulder to cry on. These people make writing possible.
Kingdom of Exiles might never have existed in this form if not for the wonderful people in my life. I can’t possibly thank you all enough, but I’ll try:
I owe so much to Layla Reyne and the Pitch Wars crew. Not only did this contest give me a community, but Layla took me under her wing and taught me about craft, about the road to publication, and offered friendship and mentorship that truly shaped my career as an author. Thank you, Layla, for all that you’ve done.
Pitch Wars also introduced me to my first critique partner, Tricia Lynne. Tricia, I can’t stress enough how integral you have been to my writing process. You championed my work when I lost faith, have read more drafts and chapters of various projects than anyone I know (except possibly my mom), and you constantly inspire me. More than that, you support me, as both a writer and a friend. There have been plenty of tear-filled nights, unrelated to writing, when you’ve virtually held my hand. Without you in my corner, I don’t know where I’d be.
My second critique partner, Katie Golding, is a goddess. Hands down. I could leave it at that, but I won’t. Katie, you have the most amazing editorial eye. You helped me see things in my work that I couldn’t pick out on my own. You’d stay up late or call me to finesse ideas, and you never once complained. You fell in love with my book (almost) as hard as I did, and I’m so blessed to call you my friend. You’re stuck with me. So is Tricia. Better deal with it.
To my final critique partner, Lindsay Hess—you are my soul sister. I’m convinced we were separated at birth, but we’ve at long last found each other. Not only have you been a relentless advocate for my work, but you’ve also become one of my closest friends. You’re a tremendous human with a heart so big it must live in your gorgeous hair. You’re stuck with me, too, even though you put mayo in your guacamole. (And you can’t have Noc.)
Looping back to Pitch Wars (seriously, if you haven’t looked into this contest, please do so at PitchWars), I want to thank the mentee class of 2016. All of you are amazingly talented and incredible writers, but even more so, you’re genuine and wonderful human beings. I do have to give a shout-out to the romance writers from that year. Our group is so special, and I know I can come to any one of you with questions, musings, and general tomfoolery.
From that group, All The Kissing was born. To all of the members who’ve made this community great, new and old, thank you. And of course, an immense and heartfelt thank-you to my fellow admins. Alexa Martin, I don’t think I’ve ever clicked with someone quite as quickly as I did with you. I’m so honored to call you my friend (and order exactly the same thing at every damn meal together, margaritas included). Gwynne Jackson, I’m so lucky to have met you. You do so much for All The Kissing, and you’re just an amazing human to spend time with. I love how we’ve grown closer throughout this process, and I can’t wait for the coming years. Shannon Caldwell, your relentless support (I’ll still take a scarf) and cheering have kept me afloat. You’re always