RiP Jackie Collins

British-American author Jackie Collins has died, aged 77.

Collins was the author of more than 30 novels, including The Stud, Hollywood Wives and her debut The World Is Full of Married Men (all S&S), which was banned in Australia following its publication in 1968. Her most recent book, The Santangelos (S&S), was released in Australia in April. Collins’ books have been translated into 40 languages and have sold more than 500 million copies internationally.

Colleagues from Collins’ UK and Australian publisher Simon & Schuster paid tribute to the author, including S&S UK CEO Ian Chapman and S&S Australia MD Dan Ruffino.

Chapman, who worked with Collins for more than 20 years, said:

‘It was with huge sadness that we received the news of the death of Jackie Collins, adored author and friend. We are incredibly proud to be Jackie’s publisher in the UK and Australia. Jackie was, by any measurement, truly one of a kind. Her personality, her pioneering spirit and over thirty novels have given endless joy to readers worldwide. She will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are very much with her family.’

Ruffino, who was also Collins’ publicist in 1998, added:

‘Over my long publishing career, I’ve been privileged to work with some of the biggest authors, both locally and internationally, and can say, without hesitation, Jackie is my absolute favourite. She was the hardest working, the smartest, the funniest, the most generous and the classiest. No one forgets meeting her. She had time for everyone, was always polite and smiling and curious. There will never be another her. The publishing world has lost a giant talent.’

Category: Obituaries