A Sad Loss
Many of you know by now that Ann C. Crispin died Friday, September 6th. Ann was an SF writer, notably known for her Star Trek novels. I knew her as part of the dynamic team at Writer Beware, a watchdog group that kept the slime balls in publishing from taking advantage of authors.
I didn't know Ann personally, but I was well aware of her work and her dedication to the industry. It makes me sad to lose one of the good ones. But as she lay dying, she left behind one final message of thanks.
It was sobering, not just because she had the presence of mind to reach out to her friends and fans, but because she did it with so much dignity and grace.
Losing her was sad. But the legacy she left behind--her work, her deeds, and her desire to help and teach others transcends her.
It was a life cut too short, but it was a life well lived. It serves as an example to us all.
RIP, Ann. You done good.
***
Have you read any of Ann's books or visited Writer Beware? When I started writing it was my go-to place for honest, no-bull information. I'll always be grateful to Ann Crispin and Victoria Strauss for all their good advice and warnings.
I didn't know Ann personally, but I was well aware of her work and her dedication to the industry. It makes me sad to lose one of the good ones. But as she lay dying, she left behind one final message of thanks.
It was sobering, not just because she had the presence of mind to reach out to her friends and fans, but because she did it with so much dignity and grace.
Losing her was sad. But the legacy she left behind--her work, her deeds, and her desire to help and teach others transcends her.
It was a life cut too short, but it was a life well lived. It serves as an example to us all.
RIP, Ann. You done good.
***
Have you read any of Ann's books or visited Writer Beware? When I started writing it was my go-to place for honest, no-bull information. I'll always be grateful to Ann Crispin and Victoria Strauss for all their good advice and warnings.
Comments
PS. I AM LOVING Mistress of the Stone!!!
Re: Mistress of the Stone
I'm so glad! Thank you for letting me know.
-Jimmy
Re: Dave and Carolyn
I hadn't heard about Dave. It's been a rough week for some of the leaders of our industry.
Wow, it must have been so brave of her to write that post...
I read once about a poll they gave to doctors that asked them if given a choice between a slow death from cancer or a fast one, in say, an auto accident, the majority chose cancer. It would at least give them the chance to say goodbye.
I know in my own experience when my dad had cancer, we had never grown closer as a family than those weeks just before his death.
I'm aware of the blog, and have read it but not with any regularity. Ann definitely impacted a lot of lives. What a beautiful message to leave behind. You're right, dignity and grace!
RIP, Ann.