The Passing Of A Good Friend

As many of you are aware, the romance industry lost another great author, Jo Beverley. There are a few out there who really make impacts in the world and she was clearly one of those people. I can honestly say that Jo was always an integral part of my life.

I remember my first conference. We were in Victoria, Canada and it was Jo who invited me over to her table and started chatting first. I remember listening to her chat about romances and plotting using Beanie Babies and as I looked around the room, I saw authors hanging on every word she said.

I later remember her at the Reno, Nevada conference. That year, my wife and I were there with our baby and she was always there to smile and pay attention to our daughter.

She always seemed to have the needs of others in front of her own. She would always be there to assist new authors with a quick question, or a note of encouragement. You would never see her hidden away at a conference, isolating herself. Instead, she was always in the mix.

I remember also an event at one of the first Atlanta conferences. I was standing outside, calling home and checking in with everyone when all of a sudden, someone grabbed my arm, and, in her wonderful accent, dragged me away saying, "Come on Scott! Your're going with me to the Harlequin party!" Of course my wife, who was an avid fan was extremely jealous that not only was I going to infamous Harlequin party, but I was going with her idol.

I think the thing that stands out the most for me about Jo, was that she was real. She didn't walk into a room with an entourage following her. She was one of us. And for new authors out there, it is a friend like that we always need.

I only hope other authors look to Jo as a model of someone they could, and should be more like.