Three widely respected men who were writers of horror fiction died in March: David B.  Silva, Rick Hautala, and James Herbert. All three of these writers made a considerable impact on the horror genre, and on many of the individuals who counted them as mentors and friends.

One of  these was Dave Simms, a reviewer for MonsterLibrarian, who can trace the beginnings of his path as a reviewer and writer back to early (and consistent) encouragement from David Silva. Dave generously offered to share his thoughts and feelings about the impact of David’s life, and death, on his own life, and I hope you’ll read his heartfelt tribute.

David B. Silva–In Memoriam

by David Simms

Clichés are clichés for a reason. There’s usually some degree of truth and accuracy to them. The one which states that sometimes people come into another’s life for a reason is one that I’ve wrestled with for years. It can be an easy excuse for the departure of someone who meant something important – or it can be spot on in describing someone like David B. Silva.

There are people who aid others in their journeys, those who forge his or her own paths, and those who serve as a catalyst for greater things than themselves.  David’s role in life encompassed all three.  March saw not only his passing, but those of James Herbert and Rick Hautala, all of whom I knew to varying degrees. Each had an impact on my writing, and impressed on me a memory or two which will stick in my soul forever.

The full impact of their departures did not hit me until last week when a close friend, my college roommate, nearly died of a freak occurrence. As I prayed for his recovery, the words I had been searching for in writing of David finally came to me.  Thankfully, my friend pulled through, and left me with an even greater appreciation of the little things in life.

Many in the horror genre will remember David for his creation of The Horror Show, a magazine which followed OMNI and The Twilight Zone, and which influenced Cemetery Dance and many others.  Many have credited him with getting their feet in the door. While it showcased all the big names, The Horror Show also introduced the world to many newcomers who eventually carved their name in history, many in Stoker statues.

Too few know him as an author. Novels such as All The Lonely People and Come Thirteen showed his lyrical, understated style but it was his Stoker-winning short story, “The Calling” which resonated with me the longest. That story, written in response to his own mother’s death, emerged in the first Borderlands anthology, epitomized his haunting voice with a tale about an all too real evil. He followed this with Hellnotes, a weekly online newsletter about the genre, complete with interviews, trivia contests, and book reviews.

This is where he and I first connected.  As a Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit geek, I jumped every week at the contest. I believed I annoyed the heck out of David by winning several times and waiting for the mail to see how cool the prize was that he sent, usually a rare mag or novel by someone I hadn’t heard of, but should have.

A few years later, he posted a note that he was looking for a reviewer or two.  Again, I jumped. Instead of shooting down the nobody I was (and still kinda am!), he asked for a sample and quickly mailed me a book to try. Within a week, he had the review in his inbox and posted it immediately. I wrote to him and asked if it was okay. Within minutes, he answered, stating it was what he was hoping for and asked what else I would like to read and review. This relationship lasted until he took a break from Hellnotes, and it gave me the opportunity to fall into reviewing for Horror World, Cemetery Dance, Monster Librarian, and FearNet.

At the same time, my stories had begun to pop up in a few anthologies, and David read a couple. Waiting on his critique often was stressful, as I knew he had worked with several icons of the business. Yet he took the anxiety out of the equation, offering his praise and comments. Even his criticism sounded positive to my ears.

As the release of my first novel grows near and I turn in the second, beginning work on the third, I think of Dave Silva.  I wish I could send him samples to hear what he thinks.  I wish I could email him about trying new techniques. I wish for several things but am left only reality.  Maybe if I put my ear to the wind, I’ll hear “the calling” once more.

David Simms’ first novel, Dark Muse, will be released  in June.