‘No,’ she said, drawing in a deep breath of the cool night air. ‘This is just the beginning. Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know.’
Grazie mille
My firstgrazie millemust go to Jacinta di Mase, who graciously allowed me to slide into her DMs with intent to pitch my books. Jacinta, I can’t thank you enough for opening your heart (and inbox) to my query.Grazie milleto my beloved agent, Danielle Binks. Danielle, you understood my manuscripts and what I was trying to achieve, and brought me to my incredible team at Pan Macmillan. I cannot thank you enough for your belief in me, your advocacy, and for changing my life for the better.
To my publisher, Alex Lloyd. When things get tough, no one knows how to settle and calm me quite like you, Alex. You have shown me immeasurable patience and care in bringingLove & Rometo life, and I will always be grateful for your vision and understanding, even beyond the pages. You just knew what to do withRome, and you made it what it is today.Grazie mille.
To my incredible editor, Rebecca Lay. Nothing is ever a big deal, too difficult, or a pain. You are a dream to work with, and I know my books are in the safest of hands when they’re with you. Andgrazieto Libby Turner, my amazing copyeditor, for knowing how to fix the seemingly unfixable, and for having the best plot insights and creative ideas. Together you have both helped me liftLove & Romefrom the cobblestones. It’s infinitely better because of your help.
Grazie milleto my colleague and friend, Nataša Ciabatti, for continuing to generously provide the Italian proofread of my books. Many thanks also to the entire team at Pan Macmillan, including Ellen Kirkness and Tom Evans for their publicity and marketing help. And to Mietta Yans for the incredibly beautiful cover design.
Special thanks now go to the first beta readers ofRome– Daniel Velardo, Lina Lo Bianco, Kristen Turner MacDonald, Linda Taranto, David Velardo, Sandy Barker, Leonie Mack, Alana Oro, and Daniele Foti-Cuzzola. It’s been a long journey since 2013, and I can’t thank you enough for the early support! Sandy, thank you for reminding me, ‘Your first book may not be the one to publish first’. Alana, thank you for saying, ‘You had me, I was in Rome’, when I needed to hear it the most. Andgrazieto Aaron Rinaldi for coming through with ‘Belmont’ andstamo a scherza’ at the eleventh hour.
Grazie milleto Daniel and our children, Anthony and Aurora, for the endless support and belief in this, even when it felt like we were swimming against the current. And extended thanks and all my love to my family and friends. A specialabbracciogoes to my ‘Roman sisters’ Giulia and Fabiana Milza, for sharing Rome with me all those years ago.
I would also like to thank and acknowledge my three wonderful PhD supervisors, Associate Professor Anna Filipi, Associate Professor Ruth Fielding and Dr Julie Faulkner of the School of Curriculum, Teaching and Inclusive Education at Monash University. Thank you for helping me get through the writing and editing processes while also studying.
And to you, dear reader.Grazie mille.
Love you.
Jenna
I acknowledge the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land upon which this book was written. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
