tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post7494680274777069019..comments2024-03-28T22:01:11.059-04:00Comments on Murder is Everywhere: Two Takes on Leighton.Ovidia Yuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05749549092493567689noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-52898634687488375902013-08-05T14:52:24.167-04:002013-08-05T14:52:24.167-04:00Tony, it's hard for me to think of anyone whos...Tony, it's hard for me to think of anyone whose comment I appreciate more than yours. I know how much Leighton treasured your friendship and how our now notorious Reston appearance fit in so nicely with your travels together on an updated, abbreviated US version of your two wild and crazy guys post college romp across Europe. <br /><br />No, I didn't know Leight was a sound engineer, but he sure knew how to bring beautiful music into so many people's lives, including yours and mine.<br /><br />Yes, we were blessed to have known him. Thanks, Tony, and all the best.Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-41535647750611627822013-08-05T11:47:30.293-04:002013-08-05T11:47:30.293-04:00Jeff, you've captured everything about Leight ... Jeff, you've captured everything about Leight so well it's hard for me to add to it. Your first couple of graphs particularly sum it up for the way I feel. And the tears are getting in my way as I write this.<br /><br /> Leight and I go back a bit. We met at college, soon became close friends and roomed together for a couple of years. We had many common interests, the first of which was broadcasting. Did you know, among his many talents, he worked his way through school as chief engineer of a nearby small radio station? He was not an engineering student, he was in liberal arts, but he had the skill. After college we got together, following a brief hiatus, and bummed around Europe for two happy years, touring by bicycle. We went our separate ways with our separate careers after that, but kept in contact, especially after email became available. Then came some of the best times we had together, over the last 15 years or so, when I was able to visit him and his wonderful family in Florida.<br /><br /> Like many good things, I thought it would last forever. It hasn't and I deeply grieve. Still, we did have 54 fantastic years with a load of larks.<br /><br /> By the way, I remember that time in Reston, Jeff. I think Leight was in his element when he was doing his presentations, and you and he blended beautifully that night. The picture captures it. There is so much I will remember and celebrate about Leight as I move on. It was a privilege and ongoing pleasure to have known him. <br /><br />Tony RiggsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-14251149633184897212013-08-04T17:52:50.034-04:002013-08-04T17:52:50.034-04:00Thank you, Eide. Yes, Leighton remains special to ...Thank you, Eide. Yes, Leighton remains special to us all in so many ways for so many wonderful things, none more important than giving us the opportunity to meet and laugh with you. <br /><br />Much love, <br /><br />Jeff Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-30421926355644558422013-08-04T16:30:48.258-04:002013-08-04T16:30:48.258-04:00I am so happy that you all realize how special he ...I am so happy that you all realize how special he was. I am sure he is touched, looking down from his place beside the biggest writer of all.<br />Eide Gage Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-85077644459196323532013-08-04T00:16:44.304-04:002013-08-04T00:16:44.304-04:00Where's Rodney Dangerfield when I need him?Where's Rodney Dangerfield when I need him?<br />Everett Kaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12371555243187874414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-511287939832599792013-08-03T20:01:30.848-04:002013-08-03T20:01:30.848-04:00Jeff, you flatter me. On today's edition of S...Jeff, you flatter me. On today's edition of Salon, there is an essay by Sean Beaudoin entitle "Hell is self-promotion." In it he writes, "But since the collapse of publishing (or at least the explosion of dire, whiny articles about the collapse of publishing), publishers themselves no longer spend the requisite money to advertise the existence of all but a handful of titles." This was Leighton's concern as he thought about all the great books published each year that never got the attention of the readers. I think Mr. Beaudoin and Leighton would have enjoyed talking to each other.<br /><br />Leighton believed that one reader's enthusiasm for a book was the best possible publicity for an author. I think we, who admired the man and the writer, could honor him by writing reviews of books that grab our imaginations, that transport us to other places, and bring attention to books that could disappear now that Leighton isn't here to be cheerleader in chief.<br /><br />Beth Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-60492653557868362392013-08-03T18:45:21.422-04:002013-08-03T18:45:21.422-04:00You've put your finger on the intrinsic underl...You've put your finger on the intrinsic underlying value of this MIE experience: The creation of a "space" where literate thoughts from divergent venues get to touch so many in a free and respectful encounter. <br /><br />Though I must admit, Everett, we did have to bend the rules a bit for you on the respectful thing:).Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-53300931200537338862013-08-03T18:32:18.720-04:002013-08-03T18:32:18.720-04:00Thanks, Cara. A fine testimonial to the writer an...Thanks, Cara. A fine testimonial to the writer and the man.Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-16330234796907241642013-08-03T18:28:45.500-04:002013-08-03T18:28:45.500-04:00Many times Leighton would write me about how to ap...Many times Leighton would write me about how to approach a subject and his frame of reference would begin. "So, what do you think Beth would think of this?" That's how genuinely he felt about you and respected your opinions. We have lost a great friend. Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-58912136777375809772013-08-03T15:03:40.649-04:002013-08-03T15:03:40.649-04:00Thanks, Tim and Jeff. As I read your pieces, I wa...Thanks, Tim and Jeff. As I read your pieces, I was 'fondling' a rock that I recently picked up on a trip to the beach, small, gray, nondescript, but almost polished in its smoothness, worn by the relentless waves and sand. I won't go into great detail about all of the philosophical thoughts that have come to me while meditating on this little stone. But it makes me think of each of our lives, and how we're shaped by the persistent 'touch' of people and events throughout our lives and how we provide those touches to the people we encounter. Not having met Leighton myself, I'm never the less touched by reading of others' encounters with Leighton.<br />Everett Kaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12371555243187874414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-41300573877783927852013-08-03T14:36:36.539-04:002013-08-03T14:36:36.539-04:00Here's Leighton's obit in NYTimes http://w...Here's Leighton's obit in NYTimes http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/arts/leighton-gage-crime-novelist-dies-at-71.htmlCara Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14592098418515886674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-3857946641755527752013-08-03T12:08:59.956-04:002013-08-03T12:08:59.956-04:00I met Leighton through a discussion on Amazon that...I met Leighton through a discussion on Amazon that started being about mysteries and veered off into the need to find a way to promote new authors who did not have the public relations support afforded to authors who no longer need publicity to sell their books. (How's that for a run-on sentence?) I had been posting reviews on Amazon and Leighton suggested I try doing a blog as well. I figured if Leighton thought I could do it, I'd give it a try. Leighton made suggestions and out of that grew a correspondence that I will always treasure. <br /><br />We exchanged emails at least once a week and he became the best friend I never met. It isn't yet possible to think of him without crying because of his loss. Comments made since his death revealed that he carried on these email relationships with many people. I don't know how he had the time. Never once did I have the sense that these exchanges were perfunctory, that they were rattled off without thought and heart. My prayers are for his family and close friends. If I feel his loss so keenly, how devastated they must be. <br /><br />He was elegant and gracious in everything he did. Those who met him have referred to him as a big man. He was clearly big in talent, big in generosity, and big in his commitment to other writers. I am so grateful to have known him.<br /><br />BethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-14113075595924255932013-08-03T04:03:55.018-04:002013-08-03T04:03:55.018-04:00That's another reason Leighton loved you, Lil....That's another reason Leighton loved you, Lil. As do Tim and I.Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-22891168168651065652013-08-03T01:19:34.755-04:002013-08-03T01:19:34.755-04:00Once again you two bring tears to my eyes. I loved...Once again you two bring tears to my eyes. I loved seeing Brazil through his eyes.lil Glucksternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288522126331817172noreply@blogger.com