Thank you for contacting me. It was quite a surprise and also a genuine pleasure.

What sort of bio to honor your mother? Something that captures who she was, something that gives examples of her, where she came from and what she accomplished. Who she influenced.

It’s funny, because I never actually met her, but I have such fond memories of the letters she wrote — sadly, none of which I still have. She was always encouraging me. I was this geeky 17 year old kid wanting to be a “real” writer, and she did what she could to help.

One memory in particular I thought I’d share — in each manuscript I’d send, of course I’d include a self-addressed stamped envelope for her reply, and on one of these I drew a cartoon dialog balloon next to whichever US President was on the stamp, so that the President was saying, “Reject!”

Indeed, your mom did end up rejecting the story, but on the envelope she drew another dialog balloon below mine, so the President also said, “But do keep trying!”

Jerry

Millea was my mom. What sort of bio would you like to see up there? Nice to read your words about her. She was passionate about writing and a smart and generous person. Glad you made connection.