I'm Not Her (21 page)

First of all, I want to thank Sally Young for graciously answering intrusive questions about her battle with osteosarcoma. Although
I’m Not Her
is fictional, Sally helped immensely with medical and emotional questions about the disease and the surgery. I am especially warmed by her courage and the wonderful miracle baby she had against the odds.

To all the wonderful people at Sourcebooks for believing in my book and agreeing to publish it, including Leah Hultenschmidt, Kelly Barrales-Saylor, Kristin Zelazko, Aubrey Poole, and Todd Stocke.

I also want to thank my agent, Jill Corcoran, who is the perfect combination of tough and awesome. And to Daniel Ehrenhaft for saying yes—our paths keep crossing and one day I hope we will work together.

Thank you to writer friends who helped with early drafts, Shana Silver, Denise Jaden, Jennifer Laberty, and C. Lee McKenzie. And special thanks for wonderful and thorough insights from always zen-like author, Cheryl Renée Herbsman.

To the Debs, who still have a connection and help each other on the emo roller coaster that is writing books. A Feast of Awesome.

Thanks to my family for their patience while I worked on this book in the middle of cottage building country. My husband, Larry, who would probably have preferred me to pick up a hammer and pound in nails. My favorite son, Max, who took me on snake and snail hunts between revisions.

Thanks to my parents, Heather and Blair MacLeod, both avid readers, who encouraged my love of reading and writing. My brother Ian, who is weird but in a good way, my brother Kyle, with his gentle support, and my sister Tracey, who has the difficult job of being the oldest child and acts as my PR person just because I’m her sister. I forgive you for being taller and thinner and younger looking because you gave me the best nieces in the world.

Last but not least, this book is for everyone who has a sister. And everyone who always wanted one.

An avid reader and chronic journal writer as a teen, Janet Gurtler now lives near the Canadian Rockies with her husband and son and a little dog named Meeko. She does not live in an igloo or play hockey, but she does love maple syrup and says “eh” a lot.

She can be found online at www.janetgurtler.com and welcomes visits from all readers, especially teens!