Burn Girl (30 page)

Read Burn Girl Online

Authors: Mandy Mikulencak

The book, though, had many readers long before it went to press. I'm indebted to my critique partner, Micki Browning. Thanks also to the family members and friends who enthusiastically read first (or second, or third) drafts: Camm, Hunter, Haley, Erin, Tessa, Char, Kathy, Tracy B., Mari, Jenni, Wendi, and countless others.

I'm especially grateful to two dear friends who've made this author business seem more real: Jenni Baker for designing my website and McCarson Jones for taking my professional photos.

It didn't take me long to realize what a supportive community of writers exists online as well. These friends are so real to me that I sometimes forget they live all over the world and not just down the street. One special author and mentor, Summer Heacock (FizzyGrrl), championed the book in an online contest that resulted in substantive feedback and a much stronger story—the version that caught my agent's attention. Fizzy taught me that laughing every day is the only way to stay sane.

And lastly, this book will forever be entwined with memories of my sweet nineteen-year-old cat, Lily, who stuck beside me (literally) for every word I wrote on this book. She deserves coauthor status.

All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2015 by Jolene Perry

Design by Jordan Kost

Cover image ©
Shutterstock.com

ISBN: 978-1-5040-1735-0

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