Veronica "Fuzzy" Randall, a longtime editor at Ten Speed Press and "a much-beloved former colleague," died August 12. She was 61. In a letter to Crown Publishing Group staff, Aaron Wehner, senior v-p & publisher of Clarkson Potter, Ten Speed and Harmony Books, wrote:
"Fuzzy began working with the company in the 1970s in various capacities (including as an illustrator). She officially came on board in 1990, and worked as a senior editor until her retirement in 2009. In those years, Fuzzy grew to be an integral part of Ten Speed--both in the work she shepherded and the authors and staff she guided and championed. Some of the bestselling authors Fuzzy worked with, whose books are still in print many years after their publication, include Donald Asher, Anodea Judith, Don and Jeanne Elium, and Diane Stein.
"Twenty years ago, as a new member of Ten Speed, I first benefited from Fuzzy's sage counsel and many people who passed through our doors would say the same. She had a great sense of humor, an infectious laugh, and a remarkable way with words. Fuzzy was a passionate animal lover and Ten Speed will be making a donation in her memory to the ASPCA. Fuzzy will be greatly missed, but her spirit certainly lives on in the many books, authors, and staff she nurtured over the years."