And thank you to everyone who made this series possible to begin with, starting with (in chronological order) my fiancée Corinne, my agent Michael Bourret, and my editor at Aladdin, Liesa Abrams. Also thanks to my publisher Mara Anastas; and to Chriscynethia Floyd; to Caitlin Sweeny, Alissa Nigro, Christian Vega, and Anna Jarzab in marketing; Nicole Russo and the publicity group; Elizabeth Mims in managing editorial; Sara Berko in production; Laura Lyn DiSiena, who designed the book; Michelle Leo and the education/library team; Stephanie Voros and the sub rights group, too; Gary Urda, Christina Pecorale, Jerry Jensen, Karen Lahey, Christine Foye, Victor Iannone, and everyone else in sales; and the amazing Vivienne To, who brought Fort’s horrible day to life with her cover.
Come back for the next book. I promise, things are just gonna get worse. So it’ll be fun!
James
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author photograph by Maarten de Boer
JAMES RILEY is the New York Times bestselling author of the Story Thieves and Half Upon a Time series. Contrary to what his Story Thieves biography suggests, this really is James. Note to future authors: If you pretend you’re not real, you’ll get lots of questions.
Aladdin
Simon & Schuster, New York
Visit us at simonandschuster.com/kids
Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/James-Riley
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The Half Upon a Time series
Half Upon a Time
Twice Upon a Time
Once Upon the End
The Story Thieves series
Story Thieves
The Stolen Chapters
Secret Origins
Pick the Plot
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ALADDIN
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
First Aladdin hardcover edition March 2019
Text copyright © 2019 by James Riley
Jacket illustrations copyright © 2019 by Vivienne To
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
ALADDIN and related logo are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.
Jacket designed by Laura Lyn DiSiena
Interior designed by Mike Rosamilia
This book has been cataloged with the Library of Congress.
ISBN 9781481485777 (hc)
ISBN 9781481485791 (eBook)