It's a Wonderful Death - Sarah J. Schmitt Page 0,99
is like a job.”
“Yep. One you are perfectly suited for.”
“What about my memories? Will I keep them?”
He nods. “You’ll need the experiences from both of your timelines to help the souls adjust.”
“What’s the catch?”
“None.”
“Can I quit whenever I want?”
“Sure.”
“Can I get that in writing?”
Death Himself tries to look like he’s offended. “My word isn’t good enough for you?”
I just stare at him.
“Fine,” he says with a theatrical bow in my direction. “I will have the scribes write something up and deliver it to you posthaste. Is that alright with you?”
I nod.
“Then you’ll do it.”
“What the heck. It’s not like I have anything better to do. Hey, what do you call this program or whatever it is?”
“Diva Boot Camp.”
Oh, no. What have I gotten myself into?
Acknowledgments
As an extrovert, writing a novel was sometimes an affront to my nature. It wasn’t until I started working on these acknowledgments that I realized just how many people were involved in It’s a Wonderful Death making the transition from an idea to “save a cheerleader” to a real-life book.
There is no alternative reality that IAWD gets published that doesn’t include Liza Fleissig and everyone involved with Liza Royce Agency. Within a few minutes of talking to her, I knew she was the agent for me. Even when things seemed bleak, you never stopped believing this day would come. Thank you for seeing the “diamond in the rough” and having faith in me. You have transcended the role of agent and become my friend.
To my fantastically talented editor, Julie Matysik, thank you so much for fighting to give this book a second chance. I truly believe everything that happened in the course of getting IAWD out was to make sure it landed at Sky Pony Press, or as I like to call it: home. Thank you for taking a chance on a debut novel about a cheerleader, a Hawaiian shirt–wearing Death, and a power hungry angel. You’re brilliant, and I am a better writer because of you!
I had a much longer intro to the Fall Fourteeners & Fifteeners and the Fearless Fifteeners, but if I wrote about how amazing you all are, I would probably exceed my total word count for this book. I do want to single out Josh, JRo, Kitty, Stephen, Kristen, Kris, Amy, Joy, Kendall, Austin, Lisa, Kate, and Shallee. I have thanked the stars every day since we joined forces. From Social to Business, Squee to OMG, you have been my
never-ending link to sanity and I am in awe of the collection of talent that has been assembled! We’re like nerdy superheroes!
And then there is my agency and pub sis Amalie. Girl, we have really gone through some ups and downs in the last two years. You are an amazing talent and have always been there when I needed advice on what to do next.
I don’t think I could write YA lit if I didn’t have day jobs where I get to hang out with teens and talk books. Thank you Jack, Emma, Alex, Kyle, Zoe, Erin, and the rest of the New Pal teens who stop by just to say hi or to marvel that I haven’t yet finished the latest new release: You keep me on my toes and I adore you all! And to my coworkers at HCPL: thank you for your ongoing support, especially Deborah and Cathy who are more than flexible with my schedule. To the other Sarah, I look forward to seeing what kinds of chaos we can create. Don’t worry, we’ll keep telling Dave we’re “programming.” Team Sarah rules!
To the staff and students at SMCS! I am so blessed to be a part of our amazing community. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and I love getting to work with so many students who have a great passion for reading! I would be remiss not to say a special thank you to Terri, Jessica, Storm, and Jane who have endured my constant disorganization over the last two years, all the while instilling a deep love of learning in my kidlets! Sorry for all the permission slips that were turned in under the wire. We’re working in it!
Whenever the negativity gets to be too much, I know I can always turn to you, Shannon. Unless of course you’re having trouble with the battlefield of the mind, in which case you are always welcome to share my mud puddle. Thank you for always being there when I need you and reminding me that I’m not the only blue in town.
To Chris Maples who left this world far too soon. Thank you for reminding me that the prize is our life journey, not the things we leave behind when we’re gone. I really hope there is a Denny’s in Heaven. I’ll be the one with the twitching shoulder.
Carrie, Shari, Kristin, and Chris (note I didn’t call you Cheasley), thank you for your support and encouragement. With cheerleaders like you, how could I doubt this day would ever come?
Oh, Jessica Z. Where do I start? We bonded over diapers and cake decorating, not at the same time, of course, and even though time and distance have challenged us, I still count you among my closest friends. You hold the rare distinction of being the one person who has seen almost every page I’ve written during my adult life. Thank you for your brutal honesty and unwavering support. I would not be here without you!
A huge thank you to the friends and family who willingly answered my plea for a safe place to farm out the kidlets so I could meet a deadline or take a mommy timeout to avoid utter meltdown mode! Emily, Vicky, Julie, Monica, Becky S., my outstanding in-laws, and “pseudo” in-laws, without you I would still be staring at a blank screen.
To my beautiful niece Grace. You remind me the best beat to march to is the one that leads you to follow your passion. I am so inspired by the amazing woman you are becoming. I only have one question for you: What’s your favorite “real” book now?
Many years ago, I attended the Midwest Writer’s Workshop (shout out to Jama!) and it changed my writing life in ways I never dreamed possible. I’m not talking about the exceptional faculty and staff, although they truly are! I’m referring to my favorite Cool Kids. Kelly, Joe, Dan, Kelsey, Irene, Lisa, Julie, and Terri, my soul sista; I don’t know what I would do if not for our annual retreats! Every writer should be blessed to have a writing family like mine. You are so imPRESSive! Can’t wait to see who gets the “Fancy Pants” next!
It’s a little-known fact that the chances of finding your bestie for life increase dramatically when you dance in the rain together. Becky, we have been friends since voting was the only “adult” thing we were allowed to do, and while the road hasn’t always been easy, and we sometimes get lost, drive the car into the ditch, and then get “attacked” by a hot-dog dog, you have always been my person. Thank you for growing up with me, although I could have done without the tennis ball wake-up calls.
To Mom and Nickle-nae, there are no words to capture just how much I love you both. Mom, you have encouraged me to follow my passion even when I rolled my eyes and ignored you. Thank you for never giving up. And, I really am sorry for ever being whatever age the kidlets are now. To my beautiful sister, I may not tell you this enough, but you are one of the strongest women I know. Stay true to yourself always and forever! To the rest of my family who number too many to count … literally … thank you for being exactly who you are. I am blessed to be loved by all of you.
Keegan and Cooper (a.k.a. Kidlet #1 and #2, or the two halves of my heart), being your mom is the greatest privilege I have ever been granted. You are both so full of life and love that my heart overflows with joy every moment I’m around you. Except when I step on a LEGO. That is an entirely different emotion. Still, no matter what, I hope you always follow your dreams and when things get in your way, make your own path and push on. I love you!
Finally, to Louis, the light of my life. You are the greatest person I have ever known. Between your patience, sense of humor, and unwavering love and devotion, I have all I could ever need. Thank you for supporting me and encouraging my dreams. I look forward to the time when we sit on the swing, telling the same stories over and over again as the sun sets over the Western sky. Until the mosquitos come out. You’re on your own then! Never forget olive juice!