On behalf of all of us in Moscow, we send our thoughts and condolences.
At last summer’s annual conference in Los Angeles, I stood in line for a book signing beside Sue Alexander. We’d not met before, but she struck up a conversation. What an encourager! She’s one of the main reasons I agreed to start up a group in Moscow – she represented the commitment of the SCBWI leadership to the professional growth of our members. She will be greatly missed.
Amy Thomas
SCBWI Moscow Critique Group Coordinator
Dear Joel,
I am so sorry for your loss. Sue was a mentor to me and so many others. I remember bringing my preschooler over to the house to help with SCBWI paperwork...and that preschooler is now a junior in college. She was quite upset when I told her Sue was gone.
Sue touched so many lives, and we are so grateful that she did.
Sue, I saw you at every SCBWI summer conference that I attended. You will be sorely missed. Thank you for all that you shared. You've been such an inspiration.
To her family, My sincere condolences. I'm so sorry for your loss. All best, Angela Fox
for your friendship of nearly 30 years. Without your support, your criticism, your complete honesty, I would not be a published writer today. I can't imagine doing another book without you. But I will never write without you because I will forever hear your voice in my head.
Congratulations on a life well lived. Your influence in the world of children's publishing will be remembered and cherished always.
Thank you, Sue, for sharing yourself with the world. Thank you for the mark you put on this silly little thing we authors call a "career." You shone the way so brightly and always gave so much of yourself.
Thank you, Sue's family, for sharing her with the rest of us. Our hearts are with you.
For your continued good cheer, your unflinching commitment to qualityand your humor. We will miss you more than any of can even fathom at present. zyou will be in my prayers tonight.
The one time I met Sue, she spoke with me like I was the only person in the room (she also taught me how to properly pronounce "Margaret K. McElderry"). She was at turns feisty and gracious.
I think for many, the "S" in SCBWI will stand for Sue. She lived life with her heart wide open. The rest of us can only hope to leave such a legacy.
Sue was a mentor, colleague, friend, but most of all she stood for the highest standards of excellence in children's writing. Thank you Sue, for being that voice that made me ask myself every time I sent out a manuscript, "Is this my very best?" We will all miss you so much.
Neither shock nor sorrow are words that even whisper at what my heart is trying to process. Sue was there as a guiding force when I first tiptoed into the arena of children's books and remained a touchstone through out the years.
Forever awed by her beautiful balance of directness and generosity I, like so many others, was blessed by her gift of encouragement and knowledge. For all she gave Sue expected nothing in return, other than I do my best.
An amazing writer, teacher and soul.
Your influence on this world is immeasurable.
Thank you, Sue.
Thanks for all you did for the SCBWI and for aspiring writers. Your retreat here in Arkansas several years ago was an exercise in generosity of spirit and encouragement. We will miss you!
Your loss had rippled through the Children's Writing Community and left us all moved and thoughtful about losing such a positive person. Especially in Los Angeles, where you made your home and befriended, taught and encouraged so many. I have witnessed "Oh nos!" and kind words and fond rememberences at every critique group, class and writers blog I've visited in this last week. Sue, you and yours should know that you are missed and so fondly remembered.
The first national SCBWI conference I attended in 1991, I was priviledged to have breakfast with Jane Yolen and Sue Alexander, on more than one occasion, and I shall always remember how kind the both of them were to me; and how generous they were to tell me about the world of publishing in children's literature. That memory will always stick in my heart! Sending cares and prayers to Sue's
family. Diane Roberts
Years ago when the Orange County chapter was just beginning and I was a newbie R.A. you gave me knowledge, support, and wisdom. I send my heartfelt condolences to your family and to the world of children's writers. We will miss you.
It's nice to know that Sue left books behind for children. I'm sorry about the loss. I write children's preschool books and hope to one day be popular like her. I'm just starting out and it's harder then I thought. I wish to have someone in my life like her. When I pass on, I'm going to leave my books behind too for all the wonder children! Again, I'm sorry for your loss. One day you'll be with her agin. Don't worry. If you like you can visit my web site at www.missdoloresbooks.com. Thank you for your time and make everyday a great day!
We will all miss you, Sue, with your generosity towards children and those who write for them. Whenever I saw you at a conference or at the Author Festival in Eureka, chatting with you always left me feeling warmth in my heart. With my sympathies to your family, Dorothy
The sky is not big enough for all the thank yous I wish to give to you. Tonight, I saw one and only one star in the sky. I thought it was you, so I wished upon it. I wished that you -- in this new life -- would remember me way down here, below. I wished that you would come into my hands when they got scared and would not type another word. I wished that you would come into my mind when I needed good, straight judgment. I wished that you would always stay within my heart knowing that my work on behalf of SCBWI is not about me, but about the LA region -- and any writer or illustrator coming up to help them to progress further in their dreams, as you have helped me, and countless others. Finally, I wished you were here, so I could pick up the phone and tell you about my day, and ask about yours. To go to dinner at all those restaurants we went to. To share our Leo birthdays. To laugh and spend an evening with you and Joel. There is so much I miss. And, these are the early days, so that missing is only going to grow bigger and bigger...
Come tip my wine glass over, Sue, like my mother does, when I've had too much. Still be with me.
Sue's passing is a great loss to the children's literature community. The way in which she shared her knowledge about the writing process serves as an inspiring example to all of us. Thank you, Sue, and God bless!
We're really going to miss you--you're a wonderful person, always willing to help everyone at the conferences and wrote great books--(Esther identified with all those stories, especially the ones about lonely girls and nature--Behold the Trees and There's Much More (about springtime). Thank you Sue.
For being Woodland Hills Branch's first "star" when LAPL had it's "Night of a Thousand Stars" program. For all the pleasures brought by your books. For being an advocate of children's literature. For being such a gracious lady and a delight to be with. You will be missed.
Thank you, Sue, for your contributions to children's books and--through them--children's lives! My thoughts and prayers are with your family in their time of loss.
I actually never heard of you Sue, but some people in my crossword club know you and I am sure they will miss you. May God Bless your family and comfort them.
Oh my sweet friend, Sue, that you left so soon and so precipitously. I shall miss you always.
Sue was one of my oldest, dearest friends. We first met at a conference at Colorado Women's College (I was teaching, she was attending) and she told me about these two young writers named Lin and Steve who were thinking about starting a new organization. She had just joined. I was the second to join.
Sue hadn't sold any books yet, though had been getting published in magazines like Humpty Dumpty. And she had with her to show to her teachers (Frances Keene, Uri Shulevitz, and me) about 40 (I kid you not) manuscripts. They all had a spark, but were still too much like the stories she admired by Sendak and others. But we stayed in close touch (by mail, this was back in the Pleistocene, no email yet) through the years. I went through her first and subsequent publications with her, got her to her beloved agent Marilyn, joyed when things went well with her, sorrowed when they didn't. It was a long distance friendship, emphasis on long.
We each were raising children at the same time, had grandkids at the same time, so besides talk of books, we talked husbands and families as well. Long distance. But email finally made that easier. (And cheaper!)
Sue was feisty, overwhelmingly warm-hearted, hardworking (for years she turned over one room in her house to collecting the books for the Golden Kite judges), funny, dear, opinionated, tender. . .I could go on and on.
What a hole in my heart. What a hole in our organization. She was so tiny and is leaving such a big space.
The children join me in holding Joel and the children in our hearts and in the Light. I think Sue is up there having a laugh and a chat with my David.
Sue, You have the wonderful ability to identify your process in such a way that an average learner can use it. This is an amazing skill. I appreciate your talent and honor your memory. Thank you, Janet
For lighting up the Kids' Reading Room at the Los Angeles Times with your stories of great imagination, wonderful sense of life and positive outlook. You will be missed.
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