Steve Russell, publisher of Lords of Gossamer & Shadow, RIP

[noman]

Unless he made other arrangements, she is likely now the owner of Rite Publishing.

That's exactly what I suspected.

[noman]

I understand it's painful, but are you aware about any details concerning the circumstances of what actually happened?

I'm pretty sure I don't want to know.

[JesterRaiin]

The sorcery expansion (and everything else they were planning) would have been great.  However, the game line really needed the Long Walk.  I have never considered it complete, due to gaps in the rules.  The Long Walk promised to fill those gaps.  That's the book I've been holding my breath for.  Now, I doubt I'll ever see it.  But that's how it is, see my rant about the books above.

This reminds me about the hardships Shadow Knight went through. Are Amber-based/influenced games cursed or what?

[noman]

This reminds me about the hardships Shadow Knight went through. Are Amber-based/influenced games cursed or what?

I'm kinda glad you brought this up, because I'm wondering if I'm the only guy that's freaked out a little by this.

The personal, human tragedy of these deaths aside...

Erick was taken from this world much earlier than he should have.  Amber Diceless was never able to grow beyond its infancy.

Steven was taken from this world way too early.  LOG&S was never able to grow beyond its adolescence.

Of the three guys responsible for producing Amber-related products*: Erick, Steve, and Pundit, two of them died before their products could reach full maturity.

Curse?  I don't believe in curses.  I do believe in luck, and this is some pretty ridiculous bad luck when considered in total.

*Note: I'm talking the business side, not the writer's side.  Jason wrote LOG&S; it couldn't have happened without him, but Steve handled the publishing, IIUC.

[Jason D]

This was posted to Rite Publishing's page on Facebook:

Hello Rite Publishing Family,
My name is Miranda Russell. I first want to thank everyone for their kindness. I have been so touched to read all the stories of Steven and how he impacted the lives of so many. I have always known of his love of the game and desire to see others succeed, but it truly is something special to hear those first hand stories. I have been so touched and overwhelmed by the caring and generosity of this community and I am so grateful for that. I have begun receiving a number of inquiries as to the future of Rite Publishing. As many can imagine, this is a difficult time for my family and I. I did, however; want to take a moment to address this. My intentions at this point are to ensure any projects that were started are completed. I can think of no better way to honor my husband by seeing what he loved so much finished. Once we get those projects back on track I will be taking some time to meet with a number of people to determine the more long term future of RiP and once I know I will ensure we share another update. I thank you for your patience, understanding, and care during this time.
Please feel free to share this information with others.
Sincerely,
Miranda Russell

[Jason D]

Of the three guys responsible for producing Amber-related products*: Erick, Steve, and Pundit, two of them died before their products could reach full maturity.

There was also this Roger Zelazny fellow, who was laying out the groundwork for another series of books.

[JesterRaiin]

This was posted to Rite Publishing's page on Facebook:

Thank you.

There's a hope!

[Jason D]

I understand it's painful, but are you aware about any details concerning the circumstances of what actually happened?

No, I am not.

[JesterRaiin]

No, I am not.

Let's leave it as it is, then.

[Gavken]

I just heard about this today. I'm shocked and saddened at the news. Steve was a really nice guy. I exchanged emails with him a few times as part of some LoGaS work and he was really friendly and helpful. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts go out to his friends and family in this terrible time.

[noman]

There was also this Roger Zelazny fellow, who was laying out the groundwork for another series of books.

I didn't mention him because I thought he was a little up in years at the time of his death.  Looked it up to see that he died at 58, a little too early by 90s standards.

[noman]

This was posted to Rite Publishing's page on Facebook:

I have begun receiving a number of inquiries as to the future of Rite Publishing.

A little early for that, you know.  I wouldn't be hassling the widow about this when she just laid her husband to rest.

I'm impressed that she took the time to post this.  I'll be even more impressed if if she follows through.  Whether she does or not, I wish her well.

Edit #1:

The comments replying to her post are heart-warming.  Every single one of them doesn’t press the matter of any outstanding products, and instead urges her to take care of herself.

Edit #2:

I'll note for the record part of my assessment was wrong.  Ms. Russell just sent an official post to us LOG&S backers, explaining the situation.  It was a cut-and-paste of what Jason wrote above, but still, it was something.  I wasn't expecting any news for months.  I'm glad I was wrong.  I tip my hat to her.

[noman]

Let's leave it as it is, then.

The only people who are going to know the full details of the accident are the police and any relevant insurance companies (they're the only ones who get a copy of the police reports by default).  Even the bereaved, such as Ms. Russell, won't know the full details.  The police will only tell her what they think she needs to know, and no more.  They're obligated to notify her, nothing else.

[daniel_ream]

I didn't mention him because I thought he was a little up in years at the time of his death.  Looked it up to see that he died at 58, a little too early by 90s standards.

He was dying of colon cancer while writing the second Chronicles, which is why they end so abruptly.

[Jason D]

He was dying of colon cancer while writing the second Chronicles, which is why they end so abruptly.

Not quite.

Prince of Chaos appeared in 1991 and he died in 1995.

In the interim, he wrote five Amber short stories, A Night in the Lonesome October, started two novels with Jane Lindskold, helped design a computer game, assembled a volume of new and older poetry, cowrote the three demon comedy books with Robert Sheckley, edited four or five anthologies, wrote Flare with Thomas T. Thomas, published a chapbook, and wrote Wilderness with Gerald Hausman.