Ruth Cavin
Ruth Cavin (October 15, 1918
Cavin was born Ruth Brodie in
Hired by St. Martin's Press to work at its Thomas Dunne Books unit when she was already in her 70s, Cavin helped develop first novels by such mystery fiction authors as Donna Andrews, Steve Hamilton, Julia Spencer-Fleming and Laurie R. King.[3] The Malice Domestic Contest, a yearly competition honoring best first mystery novels, was begun by St. Martin's Press based on Cavin's suggestion. Earning the nickname "First Lady of Mysteries" that adorned a plaque in her office, author Sue Grafton called Cavin "soul mother to mystery writers for years".[4] She helped edit and publish 900 books in a broad range of genres during her tenure there, continuing to work as an editor until 2010 when she was diagnosed with lung cancer.[2] Cavin wrote a number of her own books, including Trolleys and Complete Party Dinners for the Novice Cook, a book that she had originally conceived of as Dinners for Beginners.[2]
Personal life
Together with her husband, Bram Cavin, she had twin daughters, Nora and Emily, and a son, Tony. Her husband died in 2009. Cavin died at the age of 92 at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York, on January 9, 2011, due to lung cancer.[3]
References
- ISBN 0-8103-0028-1. Accessed February 1, 2011.
- ^ a b c Italie, Hillel via Associated Press. "Ruth Cavin, editor of mysteries, dies at age 92"[permanent dead link], WLOX, January 10, 2011. Accessed January 16, 2011.
- ^ a b c Stasio, Marilyn. "Ruth Cavin, Editor Known to Cultivate Promising Writers, Dies at 92", The New York Times, January 13, 2011. Accessed January 14, 2011.
- South Coast Today, August 12, 2001. Accessed January 16, 2011.
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