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thatcrazycajunWith thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
starcat_jewel for passing the news: Science fiction author and former fellow Texan* John Steakley has died after an unspecified long illness at his home in McKinney, TX. He was 51 and perhaps best known for his two earliest successful novels, Armor and Vampire$ (the latter of which Hollywood horror maven John Carpenter filmed). The full story is here. Coincidentally, he shared a middle name with Leslie Nielsen, who also passed today (see previous entry).
I sadly never got around to reading any of his work, but I did have the good fortune to meet him when he was one of the main guests at a convention in Baton Rouge, LA back during my early 1980s college days. I remember him being very cordial in general, and for one fond memory in particular: he allowed me to join him in a group of fans and pros for a dinner excursion on Friday evening to a nearby McDonald's. This group also included the late Robert Adams, author of the post-apocalyptic Horseclans series. During dinner, I mentioned to John I had just scored my first professional writing sale—a non-fiction piece to Walter Irwin's Trek fanzine, later reprinted in paperback anthology form—and John said to Robert, "Hey, Bob! Matt just sold his first piece!" Without missing a beat, Adams replied, "Really? What was her name?"
Both of them are gone now, and with them a great reservoir of wit and talent between them. My heart goes out to John's family, friends, co-workers and fans...and may they both enjoy endless laughs and drinks in that great con suite in the sky.
*I spent some years living in the Dallas area with my mom and stepdad, and graduated high school there, so I get to claim "naturallized Texan" status. John was a native, as was my stepdad.
starcat_jewel for passing the news: Science fiction author and former fellow Texan* John Steakley has died after an unspecified long illness at his home in McKinney, TX. He was 51 and perhaps best known for his two earliest successful novels, Armor and Vampire$ (the latter of which Hollywood horror maven John Carpenter filmed). The full story is here. Coincidentally, he shared a middle name with Leslie Nielsen, who also passed today (see previous entry).I sadly never got around to reading any of his work, but I did have the good fortune to meet him when he was one of the main guests at a convention in Baton Rouge, LA back during my early 1980s college days. I remember him being very cordial in general, and for one fond memory in particular: he allowed me to join him in a group of fans and pros for a dinner excursion on Friday evening to a nearby McDonald's. This group also included the late Robert Adams, author of the post-apocalyptic Horseclans series. During dinner, I mentioned to John I had just scored my first professional writing sale—a non-fiction piece to Walter Irwin's Trek fanzine, later reprinted in paperback anthology form—and John said to Robert, "Hey, Bob! Matt just sold his first piece!" Without missing a beat, Adams replied, "Really? What was her name?"
Both of them are gone now, and with them a great reservoir of wit and talent between them. My heart goes out to John's family, friends, co-workers and fans...and may they both enjoy endless laughs and drinks in that great con suite in the sky.
*I spent some years living in the Dallas area with my mom and stepdad, and graduated high school there, so I get to claim "naturallized Texan" status. John was a native, as was my stepdad.
no subject
Date: 2011-03-21 04:00 am (UTC)