Stone Richards
Stone Richards
By A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly
The M/M author community lost a friend and wonderful author in the recent passing of Stone Richards. It shocked me because I knew I hadn’t heard from Stone for a while but had no idea he was struggling with the return of a very virulent form of cancer.
When I first started writing at eXtasy Books three and a half years ago, Stone, D.J. Manly and I were the company’s three M/M authors. Stone and I became friends via email and like D.J., was friendly, supportive and determined to keep writing the stories he loved. In spite of the continual whispers in the background of our chosen genre being a passing fad, Stone kept writing. And so did I.
Of course, it was not a fad, but had Stone not said to me during a Christmas chat we co-hosted when I had just two published books under my belt, “AJ, write the stories you want to write. Just have fun” I may have felt more pressure to write other things.
Stone wrote under a few names and who Stone really was makes no difference. But, as D.J. said when we learned of Stone’s passing, “He was one of us.”
For me, the genre of M/M was a comfortable fit. I feel passionately about my work. Stone felt passionately about work…but most passionately about living. He was always off on some big adventure. He loved casinos and I remember him cutting an author chat short to visit a riverboat casino one December afternoon. He didn’t tell the readers that. Just me.
I was a newbie and felt out of my depth when he left me alone to handle the e crowd, but I soon relaxed and found it was fun. I was also pleased to hear that he won that day.
We have all lost a great friend. A true original who wrote what he wanted to write. I hope Stone Richards is somewhere in that big casino in the sky having fun. And winning the big jackpot. I will miss him for a long, long time.
A.J.
A.J. and I spoke on the phone this morning about the passing of Stone Richards. And as I reflected on his passing, I thought the one thing I fear most about leaving this world is not being about to create and to write. So, I’m thinking that maybe since Stone put so much heart into his work, his reward will be to have a nice desk with a first class computer and a constantly brewed carafe of coffee beside him. And he can write twenty four hours a day without needing to stop the flow to do menial tasks or sleep. His audience will be a roomful of devoted readers in the form of angels who will adore everything he writes. And as he reads his work aloud, they will applaud and comment and ask a billion questions, and beg him to write more. That’s where I think Stone is.
D.J.
To Stone’s many wonderful family members, friends and fans, read one of his books today and then go out and do something grand. Do something that makes you feel lucky. I think he would love that.
A.J. and D.J.
What a wonderful tribute
Posted by DH Starr on January 29th, 2011 at 12:48 pmYou make me sorry I never had the privilege of knowing him. But because of this wonderful tribute, I was able to share in your love for him. Thanks for that.
Posted by Phoenix Emrys on January 29th, 2011 at 12:48 pmSo sad, it’s always sad to hear of a passing – my thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time…
Thanks for sharing your memories of him…
E.H>
Posted by Erotic Horizon on January 29th, 2011 at 12:50 pmA beautiful tribute to your friend.I’m saddened to hear about the passing of Stone Richards.I offer my condolences to his family and friends.I will read one of his books today.May he rest in peace.
Posted by Beverly on January 29th, 2011 at 1:04 pmI am so sorry to hear of this. Sending heartfelt love and appreciation for Stone’s awesome gift to readers.
Posted by Jason on January 29th, 2011 at 1:12 pmThank you both for telling us a little more about Stone. I have read a few of his books, and am sad there won’t be more. Your words about who he was as a human being and who you hope he will be in the next world have told me something new about him. I am grateful that he has friends like you two who will help us all remember him the way he wants to be remembered.
I am sorry for your loss of a great friend. I am sorry that all of us, as readers, lost a great storyteller and someone who wrote what he liked and stood up for his convictions.
Here’s to doing what makes us happy!
Hugs,
Posted by Serena Yates on January 29th, 2011 at 1:51 pmSerena
It is truly sad that we have lost such a wonderful writer and an inspiration to you both and many who knew him.. I am sure that he is funning it up in a Casino in the sky smiling down on you both for your wonderful words and for keeping the candle burning and going. There need to be more people like you DJ and Stone in this world and it is truly a great loss to everyone to have lost him. I think as long as You and DJ ( as well as the many other M/M writers out there) keep doing what you love and standing up for what you believe in you will always honor his memory. My Condolences to His family and loved ones for there loss..
Posted by Silver on January 29th, 2011 at 5:37 pmoxoxox
silver
Thank you everyone. How awesome you all are. Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by AJ on January 29th, 2011 at 6:23 pmIt’s distressing to hear that one man I had considered a good writer in the genre I ‘obsess’ on has left this world at such a young age. My condolences to his friends and family and I know I’m going to miss his stories.
Posted by Sidney on January 30th, 2011 at 7:54 amMy condolences to you and Stone’s family. What a loss, and at a such a young age!
Posted by mammarella on January 30th, 2011 at 2:04 pmGuys that was a beautiful tribute…AJ thank you for sharing your stories about Stone, DJ that sounds like a wonderful place to be and I do hope that’s where he is now. I was a fan of his writing and am very saddend to hear of his passing.
Posted by Sandra on January 31st, 2011 at 1:09 pmMy condolences to his friends and family.
I will be reading one of his books tonight and saying a prayer that he is at peace now.