Willing Prey By Allie Oleander - 37

Having the opportunity to expand the little novella I loved so much into a full-length novel has been incredible. I’m beyond grateful for everyone who supported Willing Prey and contributed to its transformation (and original creation).

First things first, I’d like to thank you , wonderful reader, for being willing to brave the woods. I hope you had a fantastic time (and didn’t pick up any ticks). There’s a whole world full of books out there; thank you for spending time with this one.

I owe all the thank-yous to Jill Marr, agent extraordinaire, for making this iteration of Willing Prey a possibility in the first place. Your work ethic and insight continuously impress me, and I am so, so grateful that you are the person championing my stories. You’re amazing, and my appreciation for you and the fantastic team at SDLA is endless.

Liz Sellers, you are the dream editor. From call one, you perfectly understood the soul of this story and went above and beyond to help me reveal its heart without sacrificing one degree of heat. (I think it might be even hotter now!) Thank you for your astute feedback and dedication to making Claire and Shane’s story as strong as possible. Working with you is a delight.

Thank you to the amazing Berkley team, including Chelsea Pascoe, Christine Legon, Kim I, Kristin del Rosario, Jessica Mangicaro, and Lynsey Griswold. Your hard work is appreciated. Jess Cruickshank and Vikki Chu, thank you for the gorgeous cover. Every time I look at it, I have a little “Oh my gosh, it’s perfect!” moment of joy. Aoifke McGuire-France, Claire Simmonds, Rosie Grant, and the rest of the wonderful Evermore team, thank you for your dedication to bringing Shane and Claire’s forest antics to UK readers.

Adam Simon and Celeste Davidson—you both, and the Bardsy method, have completely changed how I think about storytelling, and my writing is infinitely better for it. From craft development and critique to career questions and pep talks, I don’t take the time and wisdom you’ve shared with me for granted. Thank you for your guidance, friendship, and the community you’ve created.

Thank you to all the Bardsy writers. AJ Braun, thank you for your constant encouragement, constructive critique, and willingness to share your knowledge. Thank you to Jackie Snow, Joey Coleman, Pamela Raleigh, and Sam Traina; your thoughtful feedback, encouragement, and support have made a massive difference.

Navessa Allen—thank you for that beautiful blurb on the cover and your kindness and enthusiasm throughout this adventure. You’re a gem, and I’m so happy we’re agent siblings. Thank you to Jessica Carrasquillo and Poppy Fitzgerald for sticking with me through the three a.m. revisions. You’ve read this version about as many times as I have, and I owe you forever and ever. Elena Ireland, thank you for keeping me from giving up during the novella-drafting days. Margot learned how to punch like that from Britney Fitzgerald, my favorite badass. Thank you for being the best friend a woman could ask for. Let’s go save some turtles.

I’d be lost without the CWC, especially Anna P., Benjamin Twigg, Des DeVivo, D. W. Brooks, J. B. LaRee, Kelly L. Clarke, Lauren Lopes, Layna James, Madison Diaz, Regina Sage, Tari Riley, Tember Sapphire, Vanessa Stock, and Varsha Chitnis. You’re a talented, brilliantly witty bunch of writers, and it’s an honor to call you friends. Long live the you-know-what blanket.

Thank you to all the Berkletes who have been mind-blowingly generous with their wisdom and support. You make this new, scary, but wonderfully exciting journey feel doable. I still don’t feel cool enough to be here, but I’m glad I am. Thank you to Ali Hazelwood, Genna Black, Katie Shepard, Maggie Gates, and all the other incredible authors who generously took the time to read and blurb. It’s an honor to have y’all read my novel, and your kind words left me misty-eyed. The corner of the internet I lurk in is also a thousand times brighter and better because Lisa Agostino, Nenia Campbell, and Sandy W. are here with me. You’re amazing people, and it’s a privilege to know you.

Mom and Gram—thank you for the endless hours of reading book after book after book to me. You taught me to appreciate a great story, and I think we can all agree it was time well spent. I love you both bunches. (Let’s never speak about the spicy scenes in this novel.)

Mr. Allie—you keep me safe, let me be wild, and are the reason I can write about HEAs from firsthand experience. Thank you. I love you more than Claire hates ticks.