Tragic news in the romance industry today. Kensington editor, Kate Duffy has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that touches every facet of the business.

I am one of countless romance authors who got their start because of Kate. I'd been writing historical romance, submitting and amassing rejections for a number of years. In 2002 I entered a manuscript in several contests, including the RWA's Golden Heart. The results were good - I placed in each one I entered, including the Indiana Romance Writers' Golden Opportunity contest. I don't remember if there was a particular prize for winning this one, but for me the prize was the fact that the final round judge for the historical category was going to be Kate Duffy. Wow! My manuscript was soon going to be in the hands of the legendary Kate Duffy!

Weeks later, sometime in November, I got a phone call from the contest coordinator. My entry had taken first place, but Kate had sent her regrets that although she would dearly love to buy the story, her schedule for the coming year was full. I kind of wished I hadn't been told. What a letdown -- so close! Yet...nothing. Sigh....

The very next day, I got an email from the contest coodinator with a forwarded note from Kate: I cannot stop thinking about "The Duke's Decision." Please have the author call me. She included her phone number. Oh. My. God. I was now in possession of KATE DUFFY's personal extension.

After I died and resurrected myself, I shakingly made that call.
She was fabulous. I'm sure she could hear how nervous I was, but she immediately set me at ease just by being herself - warm, funny and enthusiastic. She had loved what she read so far and wanted the rest. It wasn't a promise of a sale, but it was pretty darned encouraging. I floated through the holidays.

In early January, Kate called. She wanted the story and what else did I have? She also told me that initially, when she thought she couldn't buy the book because of an already full schedule, another editor said, "What's the problem? You're Kate Duffy. You can do whatever you want." So she could, and so she did!

When I hung up the phone I immedately ran to find my husband to tell him that my life had just changed -- I'd just become a published author (or soon to be published, but that day the lines were blurred at best). Before I knew what was happening I had a three-book contract with Kensington. If you visit my website and go to my bio page, you'll find my "Mostly" series listed.

The book also finaled in the Golden Heart that spring, although at that point it was icing on the cake since I'd already sold. Still, it was added incentive to attend the RWA National conference, held in NYC that year, where I had the privilege of meeting Kate for the first time at a cocktail party held at Kensington's offices. I went wide-eyed and starstruck, and it was one of the most exciting nights of my life just because I was part of the company now, one of the "in" people. Kate took me into her office that night to tell me what a wonderful writer she thought I was.  "You're the real deal," she said more than once. All I could do was look at her adoringly and say, "Oh, thank you."

After those three books things didn't go as smoothly at Kensington as I might have liked, and I've since moved on to another wonderful editor, this time at NAL, part of the Penguin Group. I met up with Kate at a conference in Miami a couple of years ago, and when I told her of my sale to NAL she jumped up and hugged me. She was truly, truly delighted for me. We talked for a while, and then both got busy doing our separate things at the conference. That was the last time I saw her.

Today as I remember Kate and everything she did for me, as well as for scores of other authors, I'm stunned and sad and unable to quite believe she's gone. I'm also incredibly grateful to her and so, so glad that during that last little chat of ours, I told her so.

Farewell, Kate, and thank you.

July 2003

(picture taken by Nancy J. Cohen)

 

What a testament to one woman's influence on a whole lot of people. I never met her, and I am the one to lose for that.

I have read a lot of tributes to her on author and reviewer blogs. She was well-loved and respected. Many authors are attributing their success to her. She may be gone, but her strong influence remains.

Oh the memories of people who touch our lives. I know when I lost a friend I'd had for over 40 years and who mentored me into teaching children, it was hard. Those memories made me who as I was and I know what you are talking about.
I am a reviewer because of authors this year who sent me books and next thing I knew I am reviewing on 6 to 7 sites. I was laid up with surgery. But it has changed my life and the books have truly blessed me. I love historical romance more than ever since this year of reading so many.:)

Mary, Cheryl, and Jane, I believe we keep the spirit of people alive by remembering them and by trying to reach the potential they saw in us.