Saying Goodbye
September 29, 2009 | Filed under: Stuff
I am not big on goodbyes, for any reason. So this kind of goodbye, the permanent kind, sucks. This past weekend the romance genre lost one of its greats. Kate Duffy, editor extraordinaire. The first thing Kate ever said to me after she bought me to write for Brava was “we are going to make wonderful books together”. The last thing Kate ever said to me was “we are making wonderful books together”.
She was my first single title editor, and she by turns scared the crap out of me, and made me feel like I could do anything. We did nine books together, and she was right. It was wonderful.
I’m not sure how to say goodbye to her. She truly had a piece of my heart, and I’m not sure that the genre will be the same without her.
Kate, I hope there are romance novels in heaven.
(Here’s my only picture of Kate, at a cover shoot for my book Instant Attraction, mugging with the model for that cover. Oh how I wanted to be there in her place …)
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Judy F says:
I was sadden to hear of her passing yesterday. I felt like I knew her through you, Lori Foster,Dianne Castell etc. She was a force in the industry and will be sorely missed. Prayers to her friends and family.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 2:45 amStacy ~ says:
I echo Judy’s sentiment. I knew her through some of my favorite authors, especially the Brava authors, and she seemed like a force to be reckoned with, but in a good way. She had a lot of respect in the industry, judging by the outpouring of love and support and prayers over the last few days. She will definitely be missed. I have a feeling there aren’t many like Ms. Duffy out there. My prayers are with her family, and her friends.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 3:02 amtrish c says:
I am sorry for your loss Jill and for her family.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 3:17 amAmber says:
Saying goodbye is never easy. I am sorry for your loss.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 5:10 amBarbara says:
Nice post Jill. Unfortunatly I never me Kate but I spoke with her several times through emails. She was a champion of the romace industry as a whole and for her writers well they could not have asked for a better or more enthusiastic promoter of their books. She did anything she could to help in making her writers succeed. She also had that ability to make everyone feel important as an email was never an interruption in her busy life but a chance to promote something she loved dearly. She will most definatly be missed and remembered and never forgotten.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 5:18 amtennismom says:
I am sorry for your loss & glad that you have such wonderful memories. I’m sure she will still be there on your shoulder as you write.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 5:49 amLiza says:
I’m so sorry for your loss and I know how much she touched so many lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to Kate Duffy’s family and all her friends.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 5:56 amDevon Ellington says:
If there aren’t romance books in Heaven, she’ll create them.
what a horrible loss! She was one of the people I liked and admired most in the industry.
Please accept my condolences.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 5:56 amBailey Stewart says:
Again, so sorry Jill. (hugs)
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 6:12 amJoyce Z says:
I am sorry for your loss, Jill. I think all of us that love romance stories will feel the loss.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 8:16 amHelen L. says:
Am sorry for your loss and her family’s. The Romance World lost a good one.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 9:08 amHelenKay Dimon says:
Can’t really look at Kate’s photo without getting all teary, but she loved that fake cover. She emailed it to me with a note that said only: “I’m gorgeous!” That was Kate. Tough one minute and funny the next.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 10:07 amShiloh Walker says:
She was a force to be reckoned with, from what I know about her. I never worked with her, but I know she helped make romance what it is today. I’m so sorry, Jill.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 10:14 amLeslie Parrish says:
I never got to know her personally, but was also so impressed when I heard her speak. Such a loss to the romance community!
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 10:32 amDarlene says:
I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and Kate’s family and loved ones.
Love the cover with Kate!
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 10:50 amJamie Denton says:
I’ll miss Kate, and will miss working with her. She changed my life, and in doing so, probably saved it, too. The industry may have lost an icon, but we lost a champion, a great friend and editor extraordinare.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 10:51 amDonna M says:
How sad that the world of romance books lost such a wonderful person. Saying goodbye is never easy. Hugs Jill to you & Kate’s family.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 10:53 amBrandy says:
Sorry to hear of a Romance Champions loss. Prayers for her family and friends.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 4:13 pmFedora says:
I’m so sorry for her family and those of you who were blessed to know her personally–the romance world is a much richer place for her life and impact.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 8:23 pmDiana says:
Some of my favorite authors have written for Brava and have worked with Kate Duffy. She will be missed by many. I love the picture of her and the cover model.
Posted on September 29th, 2009 at 8:28 pmKarin says:
What a loss. It saddens me.
Posted on September 30th, 2009 at 2:13 pm