Vale Jackie Collins

We’re saddened to hear the news that one of the world’s most popular writers, Jackie Collins, died of breast cancer on the weekend, at the age of 77.

Jackie Collins was a major force in fiction, having written more than 30 novels over four decades and she sold more than 500 million copies in total.  She was sometimes controversial – her first novel, The World is full of Married Men, was banned in Australia. In 1968, it was deemed too raunchy for public consumption. Her output remained steady since then and her novels continued to sell phenomenally, with all 32 making it on to the New York Times bestseller list.

Having interviewed Jackie Collins at her home, Better Reading director Cheryl Akle described her as one of the most hardworking women in publishing. Cheryl found her to be “warm, generous, funny and a great writer who entertained us for years. She’ll be missed. I’ll miss her.”

On the official Jackie Collins Facebook page, her family announced her passing with the following message:

“It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today. She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over four decades. She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.”

To see Cheryl’s interview with Jackie Collins go to Better Reading TV.