Yesterday evening, I received news that completely knocked me for a loop. My beloved agent and good friend, Dawn Dowdle had died.  I'd just talked to her on the phone about a potential new contract last Tuesday. We laughed about some publishing business silliness. We emailed back and forth over the next several days. She'd been having some relatively minor health issues that were supposed to be treated yesterday.  She died of a heart attack Sunday afternoon.  Even as I type it, I can't quite believe it.  I can't even fathom what her daughter and husband are going through.  Her huge extended family at Blue Ridge Literary Agency, myself included, are reeling, heartbroken, devastated.  Right now, no one really knows what the future of the agency will be. We're all sitting tight, waiting, and remembering Dawn.