OBITUARY: BOB DITTER (A MESSAGE FROM TOWNE CENTER BOOKS)

It is with sadness that I'm writing to let our book-loving community know that Bob Ditter passed away Saturday evening as a result of a heart attack. 

Bob was a long-time book person. He loved sharing stories and meeting buyers, booksellers, authors, and publishers during his 40+ years as a publisher’s rep. Those experiences fuel many conversations at our bookstore to this day.

He and his wife, Judy, bought Towne Center Books in 1998. Many of you know that Saturday was Bob and Judy's "date night" at the store. They enjoyed spending time together talking about books with anyone who ventured into the store. Bob enjoyed discussing books with friends, family and customers, sharing favorite passages and recommending new titles. While sharing a book, he may have slipped a sports comment, fishing story or even a grandchild anecdote into the conversation.

He would meet you as you walked in the door with a "have you heard about this [insert book]" and then he would start telling his stories. If you needed a history book (or even if you didn't), you left the store a little more knowledgeable (and quite possibly with a book) after talking with Bob. 

We’re putting together a special display of Bob’s picks, which should be completed by Saturday, July 12th. Please stop in if you’re in the area and take a look, share a memory or add a comment to our journal. (We will keep the display up for a little while, so no need to rush in or make a special trip.)

Please hold Judy, the family, and our staff in your thoughts.

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In memory of Bob, please consider a memorial contribution to one of his passions Freedom to Read (American Booksellers for Free Expression) or share a story with family or friends.

OBITUARY: MARTIN CRUZ SMITH

Martin Cruz Smith, best known for the Arkady Renko series that started with Gorky Park, died on Saturday at age 82. As noted by his publisher Simon & Schuster, the New York Times called Smith "the master of the international thriller," the New Yorker wrote that he was "brilliant," and the Washington Post called the series "a work of art." Read the full Shelf Awareness Obituary here.

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CALIBA's Martin Cruz Smith Award: Emerging Diverse Voices (Golden Poppy Awards) are named after acclaimed novelist Martin Cruz Smith—this award celebrates emerging diverse voices in literature.

Originally, the Martin Cruz Smith Award recognized excellence in mystery and suspense. As CALIBA evolved, the award was reimagined to reflect the organization’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices across all genres. In this new form, the award honors early-career writers whose work embodies originality, insight, and powerful storytelling from diverse perspectives.

When CALIBA launched the newly focused Martin Cruz Smith Award: Emerging Diverse Voices, Martin Cruz Smith generously offered to cover the cost of submissions to ensure the award would be accessible to all eligible authors and publishers, regardless of budget. His support helped solidify the award’s role as both a literary honor and a platform for inclusion.

We were saddened to learn that Martin Cruz Smith passed away on Friday, July 11th, 2025. His legacy lives on not only through his groundbreaking fiction, but also through his generosity and belief in the importance of uplifting new voices. CALIBA is honored to carry forward his name through this award.

Photo: Martin Cruz Smith with his daughter Luisa Smith at NCIBA in 2016.