Lee Hough passed away this morning.

Lee was my friend, my counselor, my confidant, my voice of reassurance, my coach.

He was my advisor through the most extraordinary experience of my writing life — the publication of all four novels in The Auralia Thread and Through a Screen Darkly.

He cared even more about my head, heart, health, marriage, and faith than he did about my book sales. (That is, by the way, countercultural when it comes to publishing.)

I’m told that he passed away peacefully at home in Colorado Springs. He had been struggling for a long time with glioblastoma brain tumor.

He was 58.

Some of Lee Hough’s many “trophies” from 12+ years as a literary agent.

I feel I’ve lost a big brother. Please pray for comfort and provision for his wife Paula, his family, and his community of writers and agents at Alive Communications. (Lee has represented and advised many amazing writers, including my dear friend, the poet Luci Shaw.) His suffering is over, which is a mercy. But his absence is already deeply felt — by me and by anyone who had the great privilege of working with him. I am so grateful to have known him.

As far as I’m concerned, for now, he is still my agent. His wisdom is still working on me. I’ve named the lead character of my next novel after him, and that story will be dedicated to him. But, because of Lee’s good counsel, that story will be a little while longer in the making. I’m going to proceed with great care, patience, and hope, just as Lee advised me.

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