LIBERTAD has now set sail, and the CAPITANA duology is complete.
In a strange, beautiful way, Ximena and I have grown up together. Like Ximena, I was an ambitious, more-than-slightly delusional college student when I began writing the Capitana duology. I spent hundreds of over-caffeinated nights writing and editing that manuscript, praying all the while that my dream of becoming an author would come true. Then it did come true, and I faced the most terrifying question of all: “Now what?!”
Libertad was born from that place of becoming. As Ximena left the safety of la academia to navigate the uncharted waters of the pirate world, I navigated the uncharted waters of author life. I felt equal parts totally equipped and woefully inadequate, just as she did throughout her crusade against the empire. Yet together, Ximena and I found our sea legs. We survived the death of a beloved parent, found our true loves (annoyingly gorgeous as they are), deepened our friendships, and most importantly, stepped into our full power and purpose.
We are not the same girls who boarded this ship in the beginning. But we are braver, stronger, and more hopeful than we have ever been.
My journey with Ximena has been, in every sense of the term, the adventure of a lifetime. But all adventures must come to an end, and the hour has come to bid farewell to the Empire of Luza. So, we must honor the incredible crew that made Capitana and Libertad possible…
My first thank you will forever go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus. You are the most faithful captain, and you have patiently steered me through all of life’s storms. Every word I write is for you and because of you.
To the best agent I could ask for, Andrea Morrison—you have advocated for Ximena and I through every step of this process, and I am beyond grateful for your unshakable belief, enthusiasm, and friendship. A huge thank you, again, to the entire team at Writers House, especially Alessandra Birch, Cecilia de la Campa, Hayley Burdett, and Sofia Bolido, for bringing Ximena to multiple countries and thousands of readers all over the world.
To my amazing editor, Karen Chaplin—you changed my life the day you said “yes” to Capitana. Your vision and direction truly honed Ximena’s world, and I could not be more thankful for your insight. A round of applause must also go to the team at QuillTree Books and HarperCollins: my publisher Rosemary Brosnan, designer Lauren Mock, Audrey Diestelkamp and Shannon Cox in marketing, Tim Smith and Heather Tamarkin on the managing editorial team, and Samantha Ruth Brown in publicity, you are all incredible.
To my editor across the pond, Ella Whiddett—I am so very lucky to have you! You are the champion every writer dreams about for their books. Thank you, as well, to the entire team at Hot Key Books and Bonnier: my publisher Emma Matthewson, publicist Amber Ivatt, Kate Griffiths in sales, Emma Quick, Jas Bansal, and Olivia Jeggo in marketing, and Dominica Clements and Freencky Portas in design. You all threw me a launch party on an actual pirate ship?! Still not over it. Possibly never will be.
To Micaela Alcaino—you have done it again with this cover, amiga! I swoon every time I look at it. Thank you for capturing the world of Capitana with all of its heart, mystery, and magic. It’s a dream come true to work with you!
To my beautiful, brilliant friends (you know who you are)—I love you all. You challenge me, keep me sane, and remind me to eat and drink water when I’m in full Deadline Gremlin mode. Pía is my love letter to you. Gracias por todo!
To my family—Mama, Nikko, Kate, Pop, and Becky. Our little crew has braved quite a few tempests this year, and yet our unconditional love for each other has never wavered. You inspired the promise Ximena and Marquesa make to one another: siempre juntos. Always together. I adore each one of you with every fiber of my being.
To Daddy—WE DID IT!!!
To my caballero (aka Book Husband). You dared me to love you back, and saying yes to that dare was the best decision I’ve ever made. Thank you for believing in me even more than I believe in myself, reminding me of my strength and purpose, and offering a soft place to land when I need it most. Te amo para siempre, amor.
Lastly, to my incredible readers. Thank you for every social media DM, every “When is the next one coming out?!” email, every glorious piece of fan art, and every moment you’ve spent with Ximena, Dante, and Pía. You are the reason I get to tell stories for a living, and I could not be more honored or grateful. I hope Libertad is everything you dreamed it would be!
May the seas be with you all.