We've lost Jim Moore

Writer James A. Moore has passed away.

Per Christopher Golden;

Celebrated horror and fantasy author James A. Moore passed away this morning at the age of 58. Moore was the author of more than fifty horror and fantasy novels, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and the grimdark fantasy series Seven Forges and Tides of War. Moore also co-wrote many novels and stories with his longtime collaborator Charles R. Rutledge. His early career highlights included major contributions to White Wolf Games’ World of Darkness, and he was especially proud of his first comic book script sale, to Marvel Comics original series set in the world of Clive Barker’s Hellraiser. A prolific and versatile writer, Jim wrote novels based on various media properties, including Alien, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Avengers. He was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award three times, for his novel Serenity Falls, in the long fiction category for Bloodstained Oz, a collaboration with Christopher Golden, and as editor (with Golden) for the groundbreaking horror anthology The Twisted Book of Shadows, for which the pair won the Shirley Jackson Award. Beyond his work, Jim Moore was a much-beloved figure in the horror community, a tireless champion of other writers and their work, who mentored dozens of new writers, relentlessly urging them to pursue their desire to tell stories. He is survived by his wife, Tessa Moore, and his legions of readers. No wake or funeral is planned, but a celebration of life will be held sometime in April.

Jim's reach touched a wide community of writers (and others.) We're all gutted.

I first met Jim in person at NECON in 2014. Shortly afterward, Jim moved north to Massachusetts (from Georgia.) That made us happy and lucky up here--and I got to interact with Jim at more local get-togethers and events, aside from an annual NECON meetup.

As prolific a writer as he was, he gave back with "tough love" encouragement that one does not soon forget (always in humor and a twinkle in his eye.)

"How's your manuscript? My slapping hand is just fine. Thanks for asking." 

"If your manuscript isn't finished now, it will take you twice as long after I break your arm."

"If you don't write your novel, how will we know how brilliant you are?"

Or the simple and direct, "Ass in chair."

His laugh was boisterous, his smile infectious, and his bear hugs put chiropractors out of business.

He will be missed--fiercely.