Founder of Westwood Creative Artists Bruce Westwood, 84, died peacefully at home on February 28. Originally a venture capitalist, he paired with Sterling Lord to create Sterling Lord Canada, and then created WCA in 1995 following the acquisition of McKnight Gosewich Associates and the Lucinda Vardey Agency. The agency notes that, “Bruce’s foundational belief was to build from within, and he was so pleased that the new owners of the agency came up through its ranks. If you’d like to honor Bruce’s memory and legacy, we can think of no more appropriate way than to raise a glass of rosé […]
Obits
Obituaries: John Casey, Joe Wambaugh
Novelist John Casey, 86, died on February 22 of complications from dementia. Casey was the author of Spartina, which won the National Book Award in 1989. He taught creative writing at the University of Virginia from 1972 to 2018, when he retired after the school recommended his dismissal based on student complaints of sexual harassment. Author Joe Wambaugh, 88, died on February 28 of esophageal cancer. He wrote 16 novels and five nonfiction books inspired by his own police work, including 1973’s The Onion Field. Wambaugh was part of the Los Angeles Police Department for 14 years and published his […]
Obituary: Herman Graf
Herman Graf, 91, died on February 27 in Queens, NY. Graf began his publishing career in 1961, working at McGraw-Hill, Doubleday, Arco Books, and then Grove Press before founding Carroll & Graf with Kent Carroll in 1982. The company was acquired by Avalon in 1998 and Graf became editor-at-large in 2003. After Avalon was acquired by Perseus in 2007, Graf became an acquiring editor and consultant at Skyhorse.
Obituary: Tom Robbins
Tom Robbins, 92, the author of novels including Jitterbug Perfume, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, and Still Life With Woodpecker, died at his home in La Conner, Washington at age 92. His first novel, Another Roadside Attraction, was published in 1971. Speaking on behalf of Robbins’ family, friend Craig Popelars shared the following: “Tom’s wise and weirdly wonderful novels were filled with magic, mayhem, mythology, imagination, and hi-wire humor—always humor. His books touched readers in the most profound ways, and up until his death he continued to engage with them by responding to their fan mail, sending them hand-written thank […]
Obituary: Christopher Sinclair-Stevenson
British publisher and literary agent Christopher Sinclair-Stevenson, 85, died on January 20. He was managing director at Hamish Hamilton before launching his own eponymous company in 1990. After that, he worked as a literary agent. Sinclair-Stevenson also wrote three books and translated novels by Georges Simenon.
Obituary: Karen Shapiro
Sourcebooks head of the IP children’s editorial group Karen Shapiro died suddenly and unexpectedly, the company said. Shapiro originated the How to Catch picture books and developed top sellers Welcome Little One, Little Red Sleigh, and books with Sesame Workshop. “Karen truly understood how great stories impact children everywhere, and she inspired everyone in her orbit with her boundless enthusiasm,” publisher and ceo Dominique Raccah said. “Karen made work—made our lives—more fun. We are better for having worked with her, and laughed with her. Karen was perhaps one the most influential modern children’s book creators. She was our friend, our […]