Sue Arroyo, founder, publisher, and CEO of CamCat Books, died on February 26 following a fall at her home in Brentwood, Tenn. She was 57.
Arroyo founded CamCat in 2018 and published its first book, the novel Dead Air by Michael Bradley, in June 2020. In all, CamCat, has published more than 100 titles, including Arroyo's own mystery novel, The Dead Won't Tell, written under the pen name S.K. Waters.
Arroyo, who was born in Manhattan on July 2, 1966, began her career as a software engineer, and founded her own company, Trident Technologies, in 2006. In 2019, she sold her interest in the business and turned her attention toward CamCat and her lifelong passion for books.
"Sue brought a fresh perspective to publishing, a strong desire to establish long term relationships with both authors and readers, and a passion for a great story," said editorial director Helga Schier, who was the first employee to be hired at CamCat when the company officially launched in 2019. "Her vision was to create an author-centric publishing house in CamCat Publishing, to involve her authors and readers every step of the way."
No decisions will be made about CamCat's leadership until Arroyo's estate is settled. In the interim, the publisher will continue to operate with its current team and distribution partner, IPG.
"We plan on continuing her vision of an author-centric house that really lives the idea of family and what she considers to be 'Books to Live In,'" said Schier, referencing the publisher's slogan. "Sue loved to make writers' dreams come true, her own and those of so many of her authors. We want to continue that legacy."
Arroyo is survived by her daughters, Camryn and Catherine, for whom CamCat was named; her mother, Mariana; a sister, Evelyn; a brother, David; and her nieces, Sydney and Ashley.
