Our meet cute inspired this book and I thank you, babe, for letting me borrow snippets from our travel adventures for my writing. Mostly, though, I thank you for championing my dreams with such ferocity and verve; for seeing me through the set-backs with sage advice, side-splitting laughter, bubble baths, tea, and wine; for keeping the home fires burning when I shut myself away to write and edit; for being my partner in crime as we trek about the world, seeing and doing all the things; and for always being the first to celebrate my successes. I could not have done this without you.
Thank you to the most supportive parents, family and dear friends an author could ever ask for. Thank you to my real-life floating family, who witnessed Ben and I falling in love first hand. You have all inspired characters in this book, and hold a special place in my heart, especially you, Skipper.
As an author, I have hit the mother lode and am ecstatic to be collaborating with the incredible Lina Langlee of the Kate Nash Literary Agency. Lina, thank you for your counsel, your support, your good humour and enthusiasm, and for believing in me and my writing. I’ve learned so much from you already.
A huge thank you to Molly Walker-Sharp of Avon Books for saying yes to my travel romcom with a heart, and for the incredible work you, Hannah, Sabah, and the team have contributed to my debut novel – you have literally made a dream come true.
Thank you to my (earliest) early readers, Jen, Lindsey, and my sister, Vic. As I drip-fed you chapters, your encouragement, support, and honest critiques helped me find my voice and breathe life into Sarah – and her floating family and two suitors – as she found love and ate her way around the Greek Islands.
A massive thank you to my fellow authors, my writing gurus, and my writing community peeps across the world, who I learn from daily, who are supportive, kind, generous and hilarious, and who share their talents and brilliance without reserve.
Thank you, especially, to the authors who have helped me launch my debut book – I have been so inspired by your incredible work and thank you for reading mine: Belinda Missen, Dana L Brown, Ella Hayes, Emma Robinson, Katie Ginger, Lynne Shelby, Samantha Tonge, Karen King, Jenni Fletcher, Lucy Coleman, Aimee Brown, Sarah Louise Smith, Lucy Mitchell, Emily Royal, Eve Corso, Phillipa Ashley, Sue Moorcroft, Kiley Dunbar, Julie Houston, Aimee Brown, Kate Field, and any others who may have read it after I wrote these words.
A huge thank you to the book bloggers and reviewers who have supported One Summer in Santorini – you are such an integral part of the writing and reading community and your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you also to the brilliant, talented and hilarious #UKRomChat peeps and #Auswrites authors who keep my Twitter game sharp, and the team at The Pink Heart Society.
Thank you, dear reader, for reading One Summer in Santorini – and for reading this far into my acknowledgements. Really, without all the people I’ve thanked above, you’d be reading a blank page. If you’d like to follow my travel and writing adventures, subscribe to my blog, Off the Beaten Track, at https://sandybarker.com, or follow me on Twitter, @sandybarker.
Cheers!
About the Author
Sandy Barker is an Australian writer, traveller and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list and a cheeky sense of humour.
Many of Sandy’s travel adventures have found homes in her writing, including her debut novel, a contemporary romance set in Greece, which was inspired by her true-life love story.
Follow her on Twitter @sandybarker
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
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Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
http://www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Canada
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Toronto, ON, M5H 4E3, Canada
India
HarperCollins India
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New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers (New Zealand) Limited
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Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London, SE1 9GF
http://www.harpercollins.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
http://www.harpercollins.com