Rick and AJ

Nearly 10 years ago, I was invited to be a guest of honor at a mini-conference in Maine called Palavercon. I didn’t have high hopes for the event, but I agreed to go. My first book was just out, so I thought I’d arrange a signing at a Portland bookstore since I was going to be in the area. I don’t remember how I got the word out (this was pre-Twitter and pre-Facebook), but I must have let some people know about the event.

The “con” was pretty much a bust and the attendees were either too hung over or otherwise occupied, so none of them got their acts together in time to make the longer-than-expected commute into Portland from Neptune or Jupiter or Pluto or wherever we were staying. The bookstore people were kind and set me up with a podium and far too many chairs, but otherwise left me to my own devices. It looked like I was going to be talking to myself for the allocated hour. A couple who used to live near us in Texas showed up for a while, but they didn’t stay long. And then in came Rick Hautala and Holly Newstein, along with Glenn and Sheila Chadbourne. They became my audience, and I couldn’t have had a better one if the room had been full. We had a wonderful visit that afternoon.

That’s the kind of guy Rick was. Friendly and supportive. I knew him primarily through Necon. Some of my favorite moments at the convention involved finding Rick sitting by himself in the quad or the courtyard, usually smoking a cigar, often with a beer at his side, invariably with a book in his hands. We’d sit and chat about everything under the sun, catching up with each other since our last chance to visit. He was outspoken and funny, a fine writer who had careers both under his own name and as A.J. Matthews. He played softball with us, and I had some great times playing minigolf with him and Holly. An even better time with him bowling a couple of years ago when it was too hot in Rhode Island for us pale writers to stand outside on a golf course for an hour or two. We had an absolute blast that morning. I treasure the memory.

I was devastated to hear the news yesterday that he had passed away from a heart attack. I had just returned from a business trip to Austin and that was the first thing that I saw when I went online. I’m pretty sure I swore out loud when I processed the information. It was quickly confirmed by multiple sources and I was struck by the outpouring of grief and appreciation. So many people considered him a friend, as do I. I can’t imagine what his family is going through at the moment. It was so sudden.

Last year, the Horror Writers Association awarded Rick with its Lifetime Achievement Award and there can be no doubt that it was both deserved and timely.