Monday, February 13, 2006

Sad news

Herbert Scott, my editor at New Issues, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. He was a delightful, sweet man and I'll always be grateful to him. The last time I saw him was in Vancouver, I believe, and before that in Carbondale, where I had barbeque with him and his wife.

I love the book he made for me, and will always remember his gruff voice on the phone that day he called to give me the good news. I had just walked back from lunch with my then girlfriend and we were chatting a bit in her lab (she was finishing a ph.d. in genetics) when her cell phone rang. I'd provided my home number and her cell number since my voice mail never worked.

It was great news, but also nauseating in that I had just been offered publication by another press and suddenly this embarassment of riches was kind of mind-blowing. I mentioned this to him, and he kind of sold me right then and there on New Issues.

I've never regretted that choice.

So, if you have ever enjoyed a New Issues book, mine or Matthew Thorburn's or anyone else's, give them a read tonight.

3 comments:

A. J. Patrick Liszkiewicz said...

Will do, my friend. I've got your book right here.

C. Dale said...

Paul, I am sorry to hear this. You have done well to remember him here like this.

Matthew Thorburn said...

I was so sorry to hear this news -- and am sad that I never got to meet Herb. We spoke just once, on the phone, when he called me to say he'd be publishing my book. I remember that gruff voice too. I didn't catch his name at first, and so when it clicked whom I was talking to, I was doubly surprised and elated. Everything I've heard about him echoes what Louise wrote -- that he was so dedicated to creating and establishing New Issues.