Sad News about a Great Lady: In memory of Edith Layton Felber

To our regret, the Word Wenches must announce the death this morning of Edith Layton after five years of very private struggles with cancer.  During those years, she continued to write her wonderful books, post blogs, and welcome two much adored grandsons into the world. 

If any of you met Edith in person, you know what a warm, incredibly funny person she was.  And if you’ve read her books—you know exactly the same thing.   

She was a born New Yorker, with all the wit and sassiness that implies.  She was proud of her Jewish heritage, and adored blond men with English accents.  She loved her three children and two grandchildren deeply, and they returned that love. 

Edith was one of the first writers I met at my very first conference, when I’d just sold my first Signet Regency, and she has been a friend and mentor ever since.  I could go on about her for a very long time, but this blog is a tribute to Edith, and there are many, many people who remember her with equal warmth.  Below are some of those tributes.  Please add your own—later we wish to collect these for her family.

From Wench Andrea Pickens:

I remember very vividly my first meeting with Edith. I had just sold my first Regency to Signet, and was attending my first RWA Conference. I was completely clueless about the publishing world, having by sheer blind luck managed to stumble through the process of  finding an agent and actually selling my manuscript. My editor, Hilary Ross, rolled her eyes at my dumb questions and said, "I think you need some advice." Looking around, she spotted Edith having a cup of coffee in the lounge. "Oh, there's Edith Layton. She's the perfect person to talk to."

I froze in my tracks. THE Edith Layton? The goddess whose books I adored? No way I would dare approach her!  I tried to dig in my heels but Hilary had me firmly by the elbow and marched me to the chair—or rather, the throne. Edith, as always, looked perfectly regal decked out in her jewel tone florals and gorgeous jewelry. I was probably tongue-tied, but it didn't matter. She smiled and with her pithy wit and warmth spent the next little while making me feel welcome to the sisterhood of writers. I'll never forget her incredible kindness—and her generosity in sharing her experience and advice with a total stranger and unfledged author.

I was lucky enough to become friends with her over the years, and as a person and author she enriched my life more than I can say. Oh, I will miss you, Edith!

From Wench Jo Beverley:

I'll always remember Edith smiling. She's always been a warm and vibrant member
of the romance writing community, especially the regency romance writing
community. She'll be missed for her liveliness and her wit both in her person
and her books.

From regular Wench guest Margaret Evans Porter:

It's hard losing someone I've known since before I was published--more than 20 years.  When I first met Edith in person, at an RWA conference, I was an over-excited fan-girl who had just sold her first Regency.  In the blink of I eye, it seemed, I became not only her fan, but her friend.  We often corresponded by letter, way back in the pre-email days, and then by email. 

There are so many memories, mostly associated with writers' conferences, but some were not.  Like the time I was at her house on Long Island and Abraham, her huge Bernese Mountain Dog jumped right into my lap, and we laughed and laughed.  Her home was full of love and laughter, with an eclectic mix of art and antiques.  I remember her study, her writing room, where she crafted all those memorable stories--the crammed bookshelves and books piled on the floor.  I adored Norbert, her delightful doctor husband, who accompanied her to many a conference (as did Abraham the dog, sometimes!) 

I fondly remember more than a few dinners together in various hotel restaurants--good food, entertaining--and often hilarious--conversations.  Eventually I met Susan and Adam and Mike, the kids of whom she was so proud.  She didn't have many years as a grandma, but how thrilled she was to be one.
 
She was incredibly talented and a consummate professional and so very brave.  I'm thankful for her body of work.  The phrase associated with Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire: "the face without a frown."  I've always thought of Edith that way, and told her so.  Because whenever I think of her, I see her smiling. 

From Robin Rue, a former agent of Edith’s:

She was a wonderful, classy, talented lady.  I loved working with her, and had so much respect for what a research wonk she was.  She will be missed. 

From Wench Susan Holloway Scott:

When I was first published as a romance writer, one of the greatest compliments a reviewer paid me was to say my writing reminded her of Edith Layton's. Of course Edith's writing was in class by itself, full of the same wit and charm that were hers as a person. While books fall in and out of print, that special spark will continue through her much-loved children and grandchildren. 
The world is a little less merry today without her in it...we miss you, Edith!

From Wench Susan King/Sarah Gabriel:

The first time I saw the legendary Edith Layton was at an RWA conference, when I was a newbie in awe of her and she didn't have a clue who I was. Someone said, "Look, here's Edith, let me introduce you--" I turned, and there she was riding alone down an escalator in bright sunlight -- what a grand entrance! Dressed to kill, red hair and lips, and the biggest, warmest, most wonderful smile. She grabbed me in a hug - didn't know the trembling newbie but was sweet to her - and she was deliciously friendly, then and each time we met and chatted over the years.

What a Grande Dame she was, and showed the rest of us how to be the best - the bestest, as she would have said - that we could be, as writers and people. I was delighted each time I saw her, thrilled when she joined Wenches, and deeply grateful when she read my Lady Macbeth, loved it, effused in e-mails as we discussed writing medievals, and gave me a kind and generous quote that I will always treasure. That quote is frameable art to me now.
 
What I'll also remember about Edith is how funny she was just by her bubbly nature, without ever trying. And I will remember her wonderful, whimsical way with words (though she didn't like a string of "W's" in speech for some reason, sorry, Edith!). I learned new words from her, like: bestest, luff, lurvings, lurve, mostest, and she was all of those -- the bestest, the most luffing, the mostest ever.
Thank you, Edith. We adore you.

From Wench Patricia Rice:

I remember meeting Edith first at a conference when she and Joan Wolf were sitting behind me, discussing horses.  I was a brand newbie, and they were two of my absolute favoritest authors. It was all I could do not to fall on my knees and worship, but I was too backward to do even that much. 

Later, after meeting Edith through our NAL editor's dinners, I learned she was the funniest, warmest woman I've ever met, par none.  Even through the devastation of the loss of her husband, she was reassuring others that she was fine, and she was making jokes in his memory. She and her wonderfully talented children showed me the real NYC nightlife and created evenings I'll never forget.

My life would not be the same if Edith hadn't been in it.  I'm not certain my life would have been the same even if I'd never met her, because it was wonderfully witty books like hers that enticed me into writing.  Beautiful amber and sunshine to you, Edith--I know you're up there, shining down on us all and laughing right now.

From Wench Anne Gracie:

I've only known Edith cyberly, on Regency loops and author loops great and small, but even on line, out of thousands of voices, hers always rang true and clear and original.  And funny. As for her books, I have a pile of keepers here in which she will live on forever.

My deepest sympathy to her family and her many close friends. And to her dog.
Vale that Layton Woman.

From Edith's long time editor, Hilary Ross:

From the beginning I liked Edith's books very much and enjoyed being her editor.   Then she needed a title for the last book in the Love trilogy.  I suggested the title Surrender to Love.  Edith wrote me that it sounded cheap, like something out of a movie magazine.  I wrote her back that it was a quote from Virgil. 

I then received an hysterically funny letter from Edith full of pseudo Latin along with agreement to use the quote as a title.  From that moment on I knew I had to have Edith as a personal friend.  It did work out that way and I will always
remember our close friendship and all the wonderful times we had together.  I will miss her tremendously.

From Wench Loretta Chase:

So there I was, a million years ago, trying to decide if it made sense to write romances.  My sister gave me some traditional Regencies to read.  One of them was The Duke’s Wager.  At the time, I still had a bit of snobbishness about romance.  But Edith cured me.  “She can write!  She can actually write!” thought I, astonished.  Lots of writers can tell a story, but she had a style, distinctive, and a true love of language.  Oh, those wonderful sentences! 

I met her at a New Jersey Romance Writers conference, where she was responsible for my first fangirl episode.  There she deservedly won an award for that very book.  The speech she gave was exactly like her writing, absolutely, totally Edith.  I was exchanging emails with her only a short time ago.  I can’t believe That Layton Woman, so full of life, is gone.

For more information about Edith, go to her website, http://edithlayton.com/ Or click on her name on the bottom of this blog, and that will bring up a page of her wonderfully witty blogs.  Here's are links to two delicious posts written by her daughter, Susie Felber, and titled Daughter of Romance 1 and Daughter of Romance 2.  They have lots of great pictures of Edith at work and at play. 

Plus, in the column on the right under "Additional Pages," you'll find a file for a downloadable commemorative Layton bookmark.

Tell us what Edith and her books meant to you, so we can smile through our tears. (To leave a comment, click on "comments" at the bottom of this post.)

Mary Jo and all the other Wenches

PS:  Several people have expressed regret that they've read the last Edith Layton book.  In fact, she finished one two months ago, so there is one more by the grande dame still to look forward to--MJP

Comments

[Maya M.]

I'm so shocked and sorry to hear this news. My condolences to the family, especially since I feel I know Edith's daughter a very little bit following her highly memorable guest posts here.

[Leigh Royals]

What a loss to the writing community and the world at large. I pray that her friends and family with find comfort during this time.

[Gillian]

My condolences to the family and to you all. The number of faithful fans and friends she leaves behind is a beautiful tribute to her talent and her kind spirit.

[Pati Nagle]

I am so very saddened by this news. I only knew Edith online and hoped to get to know her in person. Devastated to have missed the chance.

Sympathies to all who were close to her. We have indeed lost a treasure.

[Sara Reyes]

I will miss her very much. I met her at one of my first RWA National conferences in the 90s when I was an awe-struck reader. Regencies remain one of my secret obsessions. I think I have every one of her books and anthologies. My thoughts and prayers are with you -- her author colleagues and family.

Sara Reyes
http://FreshFiction.com ... for today's reader

[Sandy AAR]

I loved and will fondly remember so many of Edith Layton's books. Cancer is not fair. My condolences to the family and friends she leaves behind.

[Helen]

My condolences to Edith's family and friends.

Ediths's stories have given me hours of pleasure over the years and will be sadly missed.

Helen

[Sherrie Holmes]

It's so hard to express the depth of one's grief at a time like this. I have all of Edith's early Signet Regencies, collected diligently over many years. I love her books. Edith was the author who ushered me into the world of Regencies when I first discovered them. She will be greatly missed in the writing and reading community. I just want to go to my bookshelf and hug all her books.

[Barbara Keiler]

I am so sorry that the world has lost Edith. I knew her through Novelists, Inc.; we were both longtime members. Whenever we talked, my New-York roots resonated in harmony with hers. She was funny and smart--and so proud of her children.

She will live on in her books, and in our loving memories of her.

[Lynn Kerstan]

Such sad news. Edith was a terrific writer and one of the funniest people I ever met. Great company, too, in person or whenever I am reading one of her books. Love and condolences to her many friends and her family.

[KimC]

Our community has lost a great and wonderful treasure. She was one of the most incredibly sweet and generous people I have ever been lucky enough to cross paths with. She will be very missed.

[Susan Wilbanks]

I'm so very sorry to hear this news. Cancer takes too many people, too soon.

[Manda]

I am so sorry to hear this. Edith Layton's LORD OF DISHONOR was my very first keeper some twenty-odd years ago. And since then I've enjoyed and added her other books to that shelf. Condolences to her friends and family. This is a real loss to the romance community.

[liz m]

I first started corresponding with Edith in the very late 1980's. I sent her a note about one of her books and to my surprise, she wrote back and invited me to talk with her further. Over the years we exchanged letters and then emails, eventually leading to her inviting me to this blog, when it formed. She unexpectedly sent me a baby gift for my first daughter in 1999, with a wonderful note. She was the best pen pal, in the old fashioned sense of the word, a person could have. I respected her privacy, I did not want to presume, and in return I was often surprised by what she would say. In addition to being a wonderful storyteller, my impression of her was so positive. Her words about her husband, her children, her dog - always entertaining and warm, even though life is often anything but. It's hard to write this, not just for sadness, but also because I want to still refrain from presuming. In the 90's she said "I think of you now as a friend" and I can't regret never meeting her in person, because I felt the same way. Edith was my friend, she was a comfort to me and I will remember her for her tremendous humor. She sent me the second most perfect thing anyone said to me while I had cancer, and I had no idea she was fighting the same battle. I just realized here that she told me, and I didn't pick up on it. What can I say, I had my hands full at the time. This might not be the best message I could send her children, it might not be the way I'd word it an hour or now or two days from now, but the core of it is "I valued your mother as a person, and she was consumed with love for you and wry observations for others. I wish you every comfort possible for her loss."

In response to a note from Edith last August I replied in part -

"It goes - it was good to get out of the hospital routine and on the
road (good for the kids especially) but it was hard to face how far I
have to go to really recover. I get how lucky I am to have recovery
as an option, believe me, and I still have the hospital a few times I
month to keep me reminded. But I'm not 'myself' yet and I see her in
the distance, impatient to get on with things, I just can't catch her
yet. It's like the Olympics. She's Phelps, and I'm that dude in lane
eight who stays with him for a few minutes at a time then gets lapped
by a body length or two.

Hm. That was very complaining of me. Couldn't be better, actually.
They tell me and I believe them."

Edith responded -

Huzzah for you. The way to go is to keep going. Been there, done that.

Complaining is good for the soul. I believe in it. Only saints keep
smiling through. Complaining, in moderation, gets the gripes out.
And don't worry, it gets tiresome, so you stop just because no one,
not even yourself, enjoys hearing it for very long.

Feel better and better and yet better again,

Edith

[liz m]

I realize I took up more than my share of this blog - but I want to add one more thing before I leave - my cousin brought his new girlfriend up to meet me. We had a casual dinner, with light conversation, and as she was leaving she saw a romance novel - it wasn't one of Edith's, but I expected the usual 'romance' conversation. She said "Oh, I love regencies!" I asked who her favorite author was. She replied, "Edith Layton, do you know her?" I said "You've got great taste." I turned to my cousin and said "Marry this girl." A few months later, he did.

[April Kihlstrom]

What a loss to all of us! Edith was a wonderful writer. My deepest sympathies to her family.

[Michele]

My deepest condolences to Edith's family. She was a brilliant writer, a delightful person -- and a great inspiration.

[Anna B]

Such sad news. I always looked forward to Edith's blogs and her books. The world of romance has lost one of it's shining lights. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and her friends.

[Stephanie]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Edith Layton was one of the first authors I read when I rediscovered historical romance as a graduate student. My roommate hooked me on her Love trilogy and those three books are on my Keeper shelf, along with later titles like The Choice and To Wed a Stranger. It was a delight to discover she had such a bubbly, effervescent personality in her blog posts.

Condolences to her family and friends.

[cyclops8]

My thoughts and prayers go out to Edith's family and friends.

[cheryl c.]

This is very sad news. My condolences to her family and friends in your loss. I always enjoyed her books and her blogs here. I will treasure the autographed book that she sent me.

[Peggy S.]

I am so sad about this news. She was certainly one of the reasons why I started reading Regencies and why I followed many of the Word Wenches to historicals. She was a lovely writer and will be sorely missed.

[Linda Banche]

Oh, I am so sorry. I love her books and her blog posts. My condolences to her family and friends.The romance world will be a darker place without her in it.

[Susan/DC]

I can only repeat what everyone else has said: I am so sorry, and she will be missed.

I loved many of the full-length Regencies, but her short stories were what first drew me to her writing. For example, in "The Gingerbread Man" she not only created a vivid hero and heroine, but she created three dimensional secondary characters (such as the hero's heartbreaking former mistress) who jumped off the page. This is not easy to do -- she just made it look easy.

[Cybil Solyn]

I met Edith at my first RWA National event. I was launching Rakehell.com and she was the first author who gave me her email so that we could keep in touch for reviews. She was always a supporter of the genre, and anyone who has read her books knows she could write! Whenever I saw her at events she had a smile and a big hug for me. I'll miss her, but feel blessed to have known her.

[Marial]

Ohmigod I didn't even know she was sick. I really enjoyed her books. Her family is in my prayers.

[Caffey]

Gosh, I miss her already. She chatted with me on email a few times. Going to miss her so much. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

[Gerri Bowen]

My condolences to Edith's family, as well as to her many friends and large group of fans.

[Elyssa Papa]

I loved Edith Layton's books and the blogs she wrote. She always seemed like such a vibrant, loving person . . . she will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

[Janice]

I feel terrible. From where I eat breakfast, I can see a long row of her books, from the beginning of her career to the most recent, which I suppose is the last. OI have always wished I knew her in person, and not just through her gracious notes.

God rest her soul.

I am just really bummed out over this. Why do the good people get taken and the bastards live on forever?

[Marisa]

I had the great good fortune of meeting Edith and in the short visit she made me feel as if we were old friends. Her warmth and generosity of spirit will always stay with me.She will be greatly missed.

[Denise Little]

I'm so sad to hear of Edith's peassing. When I think of Edith, what I remember is laughter. Whether talking, writng, blogging, or reading, when I communicated with Edith, she made me laugh out loud. Every time. She often made me think. She certainly made me more aware of the world. But she always, always made me laugh. She was a gift to the world that way. The world's a poorer place today.

[WendyK]

I'm very sorry to hear this. I will keep the family in my prayers. I hope they take comfort in knowing that her writing will live on and so she will live on in our memories with them.

So very sad.
hugs,
WendyK

[Diane Gaston]

What shocking news. Edith Layton helped me love the Regency genre. I am so sad to lose her.

[Sarah Parr]

What a great lady. She will be sorely missed. Condolences to her family and friends.

[Maggie Robinson]

Edith's warmth and wit were so evident in her books and posts. My best to her family and the Wenches, who have lost a lovely voice.

[Pam P]

So sad to hear this, my sympathies to Edith's family and friends. She's entertained so many readers over the years with many wonderful stories. I've enjoyed her posts here, witty and whimsical as mentioned, her personality came through even though I didn't know her personally.

[Jane Irish Nelson]

She will be so much missed. I never met her, but I did send her "fan letters" by e-mail and she was always so kind and gracious. One of my favorite authors. I can hardly take it in.

Jane

[NinaP]

To Edith who taught me how to peel back emotion until nothing existed but love. Someday, may I be because you were.

[Mary Jo Putney]

From MJP:

I'm glad to read the posts from so many others who share a sense of loss. Here's are some comments taken with permission from a writers' loop:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And angels take her to her rest. Her wonderful talent and unique view of the world were a gift to us all.

Karyn Witmer-Gow

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Layton Family:

Your mom wrote some of the first Regency romances that I read when I returned to reading romance, and was thinking of writing one. I loved her writing, and some of her books remain my absolute favorites. I named a character in one of my books after a character in one of hers, and took a special pleasure that I was able to pay homage to her, albeit in a small way.

When RWA was in NYC, I went to the Literacy Signing and met her there; I had brought my husband, whom she said should model for romance covers because he was so handsome. We talked about Park Slope, Brooklyn, where I live, and about walking in Prospect Park with her dogs.

Please accept my sympathies during this difficult time, and know that your mom's work is loved my many, many readers.

Sincerely,

Megan Frampton

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Knowing Edith was such a treat. I remember something funny or off-the-wall or interesting she talked about every time I encountered her, which was usually at conferences. (Among other things, I remember that it was through Edith that I learned to fear Carrot Addiction.) I also remember occasions when Edith said something encouraging or kind at exactly the moment I needed to hear it.

Like so many others, I will miss her.

Laura Resnick

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I knew her from the few times I've been able to go to Ninc confs. and online, and loved her wit and her love of dogs. The romance fiction world will be poorer for her loss.

Laurie Kingery

+++++++++++++++

Mary Jo

[Janet Mullany]

I don't think I ever met Edith but I wish I had. She sounds like one classy, terrific lady who will be greatly missed.

[Mary Balogh]

Everyone has said it all before me. There is nothing new to add, is there, except that Edith's passing brings with it a huge sense of loss. I loved her and I loved her books. I remember her telling me once (in her usual witty way) that she was a dying breed. There would be no Ediths after her generation, she told me, because of Edith Bunker in "All in the Family." If that turns out to be true, perhaps we can ascribe it to a different cause. After Edith Layton, the world decided to retire the name in her honor!

[Keira Soleore]

I'm deeply saddened by the news. I have known her through her books and her Wenchly posts, and she always had a different take, often times funny, of the everyday that I adored. She's going to be much, much missed.

[Sue]

What a loss but what a legacy! I have two shelves of Edith's books and I will now re- read them all in her honour. I can't think of a more fitting tribute. My sympathies to her friends and family.

[Janet W]

So sad -- she wrote so eloquently about the vagaries of love and affection. About what was worth loving. On my forever keeper shelves are To Wed a Stranger (a wonderful, poignant DIK), A Bride for His Convenience and Bound by Love.

All my sympathy goes to her family, her friends and her wench sisters.

[theo]

To Edith, who welcomed me here with open arms, though she knew me not. Her warmth and wit gave me such a sense of friendship and her books, hours upon hours of a wonderful world which she brought so alive, I wanted to live in it.

Truly a classy lady, Edith Layton, you will be sorely missed.

My condolences to the entire Layton family.

[Kimmyl]

I'm sorry to hear about Edith Layton. I loved reading her novels and will miss her greatly.
My condolences to the Layton family.

[Gennita Low]

My condolences to the Layton family. Edith Layton's regencies made me fall in love with the genre. Whenever I saw her at RWA, she was always laughing and chatting with everyone. A true Grand Dame of Romance.

[Louisa Cornell]

What a terrible loss for the world of historical romance. Her novels have given and will continue to give me so much pleasure and entertainment. Her humor, class, and love of history shows in every page of her books. And her kindness to those who cannot speak for themselves - the animals of the North Shore Animal League - has always touched my heart. A true grand dame and all around glorious spirit has flown home.

[Anne McAllister]

So very sorry to hear of Edith's passing away. I have lots of her books on my keeper shelves. They are the ones I go back and reread most often.

I so enjoyed meeting her the one time I did. She was warm and smiling and generous with her time. "Vibrant" is probably the closest single word to describe her.

She touched many many many peoples' lives through her writing. And the world is a better place for Edith's having been in it.

My deepest sympathy to her family who were clearly blessed to have had her in their lives. As were we all.