Agent Ralph Vicinanza died over the weekend of an undiagnosed aneurysm. It was, according to his business partner Chris Schelling, an easy death, in his sleep. But no death is easy for those left behind.
Ralph was my agent for nearly two decades. He was superb at all aspects of what he did. Several of my books are better for his input. He cared about science fiction, fantasy, and writing in general.
He was also a wonderful person: kind, patient, fun to be with. I am still stunned by the news of his death. Sixty is too young for anyone to die -- but why is it the good ones who so often go before their time? Ralph's passing feels like a piece of my own life gone. I know, because I've spoken with some of them, that his other clients feel the same. There are no words to describe our loss.
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Sorry for your loss. Here's Locus Magazine's online obit for Mr. Vicinanza.
There was a nice note about him in this morning's Shelf Awareness e-newsletter.
-Lynz
Obituary note: Ralph Vicinanza, an agent whose clients included Stephen King, Augusten Burroughs and the Dalai Lama, died Sunday, the Associated Press reported. He was 60.
"As a writer, one of the best people you can have on your side is an agent who knows the market and knows where your work will fit and will sell. He knew that as well or better than anyone in the business," said John Scalzi, president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
On Tor's blog, Beth Meacham wrote: "Ralph really loved books; he loved his clients' novels. When we got together over breakfast at conventions, or in his irregular after-hours phone calls, we'd talk about books--what we loved, where we thought a writer was going. He made a lot of money with his bestseller clients, but he also adored his smaller books, his less successful writers."
Oh no.
Joe Haldeman has a tribute to Ralph on his "Tangled Website."
Who would have thought it would have come so fast, Nancy?
We're at an age when our friends are starting to die on us.
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