In Laymon's Terms

Steve Gerlach

ICHARD LAYMON CARRIED my business cards around in his wallet.

He told me the whole family did.

And that made me proud.

Here was a guy who was willing to help out others, even while he was out and about every day, promoting his own works. Sure, I ran his official website, but that doesn’t matter. Dick was proud of what I’d achieved and he didn’t stop telling people about it.

I shipped hundreds of the cards over to Dick. And he kept running out of them.

Here’s a guy who took time out from his busy schedule to email his latest news, to talk to his fans or reply on his message board. Here’s a guy who told me if I needed anything, ANYTHING to help with RLK!, just let him know. Here’s a guy who took time to read my own novels and provide cover quotes for them.

Here was a guy, a true and honest guy, who always had a laugh, a smile and a joke for whoever he met.

Here was a real guy. The best darn guy on the planet.

I hope some day to be like him. I hope to follow his lead. And if I learn to practice just 10% of what Richard Laymon taught me, that will be a fine effort indeed.

This story is dedicated to Richard Laymon.