Like many others I was saddened and heartbroken to hear about the passing of esteemed speculative fiction author Eugie Foster. In addition to being one of the most gifted writers I’ve ever encountered, Eugie was the personification of grace and class. I was honored to consider Eugie both a colleague and a friend.

Eugie and I first crossed paths some years ago on Critters.org. I was actually on the verge of quitting Critters, I had read one bad short story too many and I could read no more. Skimming through the weekly queue, I came across a short story entitled Arachne which retold the ancient Greek myth of the titular protagonist. Folks who know me best know that I’m always game for Greek mythology.

The prose was ethereal. In fact, it took me out of the reading a couple of times because I was so amazed at her writing style. I remember at one point I exclaimed aloud, “WHO THE HELL IS THIS WOMAN?”

I wrote Eugie a dissertation of a thank-you note for allowing me to read her work and for raising the bar of excellence which definitely inspired me to step my game up as a storyteller. It would be the first of many dissertation thank-you letters for any time Eugie had a story in the Critters queue, best believe I was reading and fanboy squeeing without a frak to give.

You can imagine how stoked I was when I learned she was based in Atlanta like myself and was always delighted to run into her at signings and conventions such as Outlantacon.

Sadly, Eugie passed away in late 2014. But her legacy lives on in her work.

All the same, I’m grateful for having the chance to meet this extraordinary woman and grateful for the opportunity to visit the worlds she introduced me to. She definitely inspired me as both a storyteller and a person. I’m honored to call her a friend.

If you haven’t read Eugie’s stories, you definitely should. You’ll be a better human being for doing so.

Thank you, Eugie and God bless.