I had a post already published this morning, but just deleted it after hearing the very sad news that Kensington editor Kate Duffy has passed away. Kate played a major role in my first sale to Red Sage as Penny, because I’d initially targeted my first Secrets novella to her. As can so often happen in publishing, my manuscript went awry, shall we say. It had been over a year and I had not heard on the status. I was at an RWA conference—I can’t remember which one anymore—and just happened to mention my missing manuscript to another writer who knew what Kate looked like (I didn’t). Turned out Kate was walking our way!
The writer pretty much sidelined Kate, introduced us, and I asked about my manuscript. Kate replied quite frankly that if I hadn’t heard by now then the manuscript had likely been rejected. Later, she told me that the look on my face made her feel so guilty (this from the woman many considered intimidating). Because I asked, “But wouldn’t I have received a rejection letter?”
“Tell you what,” she said. (And, yes, I’m paraphrasing, I didn’t tape record our conversation). “I have somewhere to go after conference, but give me about three weeks and then contact me. I’ll let you know what I find out about your manuscript.”
Three weeks later, I was at home wondering when would be a good time to phone or email her when she phoned me. She couldn’t find the manu anywhere, it must have gotten lost, and could I email her another copy? I did, and she read and rejected it within 24 hours. By another phone call. But she didn’t just reject it, she told me why she was rejecting it. And she asked to see more ideas. In fact, she asked me to write up three ideas for her, and she’d choose which she wanted me to develop into a novella for submission to Brava. I did that. Meanwhile, I took her comments on the rejected novella, revised it, and sold it to Red Sage Secrets. Without Kate’s comments during that phone call, would I have sold that novella? I’ll never know.
Back to the three ideas. Kate called me back another month later saying she loved two of the three ideas, and she wanted me to write the full novella of one and then begin the second while she was considering the first. I wrote the full novella and submitted it. Time went by. A lot of time went by. A lot and a lot and a lot of time went by. 🙂
Eventually, we reconnected, but she rejected the full novella. Again, full of remorse about doing so. Very apologetic (I’d never experienced an editor apologizing to me for a rejection, and phoning me to make that rejection). So much time had passed, as can happen in publishing, between her approving the idea and looking at the full, that the idea no longer excited her enough to make a sale. But she asked to see another novella, a partial this time.
I did write that third partial novella for Kate. Time went by. A lot of time went by. A lot and a lot and a lot and a lot of time went by. Eventually, we reconnected, and she still loved the idea but wanted me to turn facets of the story upside down. So I did. Resubmitted. Time went by. A lot of time went by. Then I learned that she was ill, and I decided not to bug her.
Meanwhile, I revised the second full novella to suit Secrets, submitted it and sold it. It’s releasing in Secrets Volume 28 this December.
Kate made me laugh. She was very self-deprecating, and she had a dry wit that I identify with. That she took the time to phone me when she could have just sent me form snail-mail rejections said a lot about her character. And still does.
Goodbye, Kate. I’ll miss you. Even though I didn’t get a chance to truly work with you, I appreciate all the help you gave me. Now and always.
Lovely and funny, Cindy, thanks for sharing your memories. I have a similar one. We met at a Romance Reader’s Roundtable (I was a ringer brought in by the bookstore manager) and we did a lot of shop talking. She told me about a new line starting up – Brava and asked me to submit something. I did and got rejected – for being too hot. I laughed a lot about that cause it was way back in the day. She asked me to send her more stuff and we kept in some contact through email and our mutual friend for a few years. And yes, thanks to her comments – hard to hear as they may have been – I, too, owe her a great deal. Rest in Peace, Kate, and forever in our hearts.
Thank you, Cindy, for sharing your memories. I admired Kate’s direct approach to life, and enjoyed listening to her speak. She will be missed.
I’ve been blessed to know Kate over the years. She and Sulay Hernandez called and bought my first book. Kate has been a guiding force, mentor and friend. Her loss is devastating. Her presence will be greatly missed, she was a driving force who cared, who touched so many lives, and truly made a difference. Words to praise her are inadequate, but it’s the words over the years she believed in, that gave writers as the world hope. My sincere condolences to family and friends. She will truly be missed.
God bless,
Diana
Jennifer, my former agents refused to represent my first attempt at a sexy novella, because they said it was too hot and not right for Kate/Brava. Eventually, those agents and I parted ways, I subbed the novella to Kate on my own. I have no clue if she thought it was too hot, but Brava had changed from erotic romance to more “sexy romance” during the submission time frame, so I pretty much knew it was too erotic for her by then. Not too erotic for Red Sage, though! 🙂
Kelly Ann, yes, it was wonderful to hear Kate speak. She was very candid but in a way that I could relate to.
Diana, hugs, my friend. I didn’t get the chance to work with Kate, but my thoughts are going out to all the writers who did get that chance and especially those who became her friends as well as her authors.
Thanks for the beautiful post, Cindy. I didn’t know Kate personally, but heard nothing but good things about her. She spoke at my local chapter in Boise once (I missed it) and heard she was so gracious and generous. My only personal contact with her was a nice rejection letter she sent me.
:)Becca
I never met Kate, but I heard her on National CDs at workshops. I loved her humor and her honesty. I’m sorry for her passing.
I always liked Kate too–especially her direct, no-nonsense, tell it like it is attitude. Her death is a great loss to the publishing industry.
Thanx for the great tribute, Cindy. I’d met Kate several times at conferences but never had the pleasure of working with her. She’s going to be sorely missed.
I loved listening to Kate speak. Droll, pointed, pithy comments delivered dead pan, but her eyes would twinkle. Unless, of course, someone was being an idiot. Kate didn’t suffers fools gladly.
I only actually met her once, but her willingness to help new authors—even those she rejected—elevated her even beyond the impressions left from that meeting.
She was unique. Perhaps, in this day and age, some considered her a dinosaur left over from the days editors invested themselves in new writers. Those who benefited from her generous spirit know better.
Pat D., what a lovely way to put it.