Br0th3rly

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

If you have spent less than five minutes around me—online or off—you might not know an important fact: I am a bit of a geek. Yes, Star Trek and Star Wars, nerdy books, all the gadgets in the world, some video gaming—I may or may not have had an addiction problem there, blogging, social media, the latest software and hardware developments, lots of friends in IT-related jobs, all those things are interesting to me. I’d also kill to have an android, or even better, a true AI to be my friend and show me how little I know about the world.

Br0th3rly and the entire Famous on the Internet series are going to be my declaration of love to all things geeky. I want to acknowledge how technology and the Internet have changed our lives and how being popular on the Internet is now something that matters. So, to every person I chatted online with, to all those whose popular blogs I’ve read, to all the YouTubers who I religiously watch, to the i********: stars, the Twitter VIPs and the f*******: celebrities, here’s to you! To all the engineers, techs, developers, data analysts, hardware developers, I admire your work and how it has made our lives easier. Thank you!

See, most people say technology and the rise of social networks have made us less sociable. While that might be a valid concern and even a reality for others, the Internet and social media were a tremendous gift for me. They changed my life, expanded my horizons, and, as a writer… well, it’s how I’ve met everyone. Future readers, fellow authors, incredibly talented designers, book reviewers, publishers, everyone who’s now part of my community would have simply been somewhere, in a world far, far away, without this instant connection that happens miraculously every time I turn on my laptop.

First, thank you all for being part of my life. For inspiring me, for reading my stories, and for simply being your amazing selves. Everyone I meet is dear to me. And while some stay for longer, while others disappear as soon as they’ve entered my life, the memories of everyone who’s influenced me in even the smallest way will forever be precious to me.

This book was a collective effort. Sure, I’ve written it, and went through editing and formatting and getting the right cover, twice. First with the wonderful people at Wayward Ink Publishing, then mostly on my own. But without everyone involved and supporting me, this would have remained just another draft on my computer. Alina F is responsible for both covers, and her work at 8th floor studio is simply amazing. Thank you for putting up with me as a professional and as a dear friend. I don’t know how you do it!

My family and friends are my support system, and they are the best in the world. Thank you for always being there to cheer me up and encourage me when I feel like every word I write is pure crap. Alina C, Adrian, Loredana, thank you for always reading everything I send, for always listening to me worry and complain, and for always knowing when to kick my ass!

Last, but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you goes to Mihai for putting up with all my crazy. He’s taught me how to stress less, be calm, and deal with everything that comes my way. I fail often, especially when it comes to not stressing, but I would probably be a way bigger mess without his constant reminders to let it all fall where it may.

Sunday, March 3rd, 2013