Absent Friends

There is a feeling of loss this morning, as I was informed that someone I had never met has passed away. In 2002 I sent a small query letter to Heinemann, and within a day received a response from Lisa wanting more. Fast forward almost a year…

Dear Troy -

I’m cleaning up files and such, and cannot remember if you have already
found a publisher for your book, or if you were going to send me additional
material, or what. Could you just drop me a line to let me know? I’m happy
to still consider it for our list, if you haven’t already placed it…

All good wishes -

–Lisa

I let the book project sit for over a year, and she wrote me back saying they were still interested. The rest as they say is history. The book turned out wonderfully, has been submitted for several design awards, and continues to sell in good numbers every month.

Lisa died this morning surrounded by her family, another bright light that cancer took from us. Fortunately, I found a message board where I was able to write my thanks to Lisa yesterday and those were read to her before she passed. For someone whom I never talked to on the phone – and never met face-to-face, she has had a tremendous impact on my life.

I now have a reason to finish editing my NaNoWriMo novel.

I’ll miss you, Lisa.