RIP David Eddings

[puppetmaker]

I remember precisely where I was when I bought my first David Eddings book. I was in Florida with my family on vacation. We had gone to the local mall and the bookstore (Walden Books) and I saw this cover that interested me. It was "The Pawn of Prophecy" by David Eddings. I devoured it and as many other books as had been published by that point. I really liked them. He was one of a few authors that I bought in hardcover because I wanted to own that book the minute it came out.

Years later I was working with Del Rey and ended up working on a repackaging of the Belgariad. I ended up have a number of conversations with both David and Leigh about it over the phone and a little bit of e-mail. I never told him how much I had enjoyed his books in my teen years. It just didn't seem professional.

Leigh passed away in 2007 and I sent a sympathy card to David. This morning I learned that David passed away. And another of the fantasy modern greats passes on.

I do regret that I never told David and Leigh how much that series had meant to me.

I am grateful that I got to work with them.

Comments

[celticboy.livejournal.com]

I'm gutted about this.

Will you please do me the biggest favour?

Tell Peter that I'm very, very grateful and appreciative of his work. He's been one of my favourite writers for a long time now, and I don't want to miss out on the chance I have to tell him this.

I also appreciate the friendship you've shown me. :) Thank you!

[queenanthai.livejournal.com]

Seconded. I adore the Apropos and Knight Life books, and Liandra is my favorite character Peter's ever come up with. I've said it before, but I feel like saying it again that they all mean a lot to me and my reading experiences have been richer for having those characters exist.

And, of course, I am very grateful that I can count both you and Peter as friends. You're good people. :) Hopefully if I'm ever at another con again I'll be able to thank you both in person.