Why We Fly, page 22
“Oh my word,” I say. “Thank you to the committee and the community. I didn’t expect this. Where I live, I am celebrated only by a few of my peers—my cheer team, predominately. To most others, I’m a blight on my community’s good name. After spending this weekend with you exceptional women, I’ve learned something. We may be spread out, women like us—strong, brown, and determined—but we are here in this world. We’re making dents in the spaces we’re in, not knowing that we have our own cheerleaders around the country who are taking on the same fights and rooting for us to win together. That’s the beauty of this sorority. It’s a brave space for us to support one another. As I take this award home, I know I’m taking the strength of you all with me.”
And that’s exactly what I need.
Acknowledgments
As usual, we have a long and spectacular list of people to thank. We’re grateful to have this much support in an endeavor like writing which can often be so solitary. If we’ve forgotten anyone here, please charge it to our heads and not our hearts.
First, we have to thank the entire Sourcebooks family. We’re overwhelmed by how ardently you’ve championed us and helped us share our stories with the world. You’re our ride or die forever. We especially want to thank Dominique Raccah, Todd Stocke, Steve Geck, Cassie Gutman, Zeina Elhanbaly, Lizzie Lewandowski, Beth Oleniczak, Margaret Coffee, Caitlin Lawler, Stefani Sloma, Sarah Kasman, Tiffany Schulz, Mallory Hyde, Valerie Pierce, Danielle McNaughton, Nicole Hower, Jordan Kost, and Sarah Cardillo. We’re indebted to you also for this novel’s beautiful cover, drawn by the talented Adriana Bellet.
We consulted with a number of expert and sensitivity readers to inform the experiences described in the book. We appreciate your kind and insightful guidance more than we can ever express. Thanks to: our cheer insider, Liz Shah; the real Dr. Ratcliff, for his help understanding concussion effects; the real Rabbi David Spinrad, for being a great model of social justice oriented clergy; our Divine Nine beta readers, Courtney Jones and Reece Odum; Michelle Rinke, for helping us do our best to sensitively render Nelly’s mental health journey; and, of course, e.e. Charlton-Trujillo and Arlondie Washington. Readers, please know that any mistakes in the rendering of the story are on us and not them.
We also want to thank our agents, Tracey and Josh Adams, and our film agent, Stephen Moore, for midwifing Why We Fly into the world of books and movies. We’re so excited to work with our fabulous production partners, Radar Productions and Prominent Pictures, especially Autumn Bailey-Ford. We’re grateful to you for including us in the process and taking such care with our story. We adore you.
We’d also like to add the following thanks:
From Kim:
I want to acknowledge my mom, Lula, and my son, Drake, who freely share me with the world without complaint, and Ikeeah, who doubles as my favorite niece and awe-inspiring assistant, who keeps my head on straight. I also want to thank my manager and partner, Duprano, my attorney, Uwonda Carter Scott, and my Warner family, Nik and Lee, who always champion my storytelling.
From Gilly:
A hundred million thanks to my family, which has shown up for me at every point and in every manner—from providing words of encouragement to proofreading to watching my kids so I can run around the country living my bookish dream. Mom, Dad, Stacey, Noam, Nadav, and Shalev, you’re the very best part of it all, and I couldn’t do any of this without you. I also wouldn’t want to do any of this without all of the writer friends who hold me down and lift me up, especially Maryann Dabkowski and Rachael Allen.
About the Authors
Kimberly Jones is the former manager of the bookstore Little Shop of Stories and currently works in the entertainment industry. She’s also an activist, well-known for her viral video “How Can We Win.” Visit her at kimjoneswrites.com.
Gilly Segal grew up in Florida before she left home to attend the University of Pennsylvania, Hebrew University, and Emory School of Law. She is currently chief legal officer for an advertising agency. Visit her at gillysegal.com.
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Books. Change. Lives.
Kimberly Jones, Why We Fly
