Obits

Sweet Valley High creator Francine Pascal, 92, died on July 28 of lymphoma. In 1983, Pascal created the Sweet Valley High series of young adult novels, which went on to launch many companion books, a TV show, and two grown-up sequels, Sweet Valley Confidential (2011) and The Sweet Life (2012). According to the New York Times, Sweet Valley titles have sold more than 200 million copies. Pascal also wrote several other books, including the YA series Fearless and adult novels Save Johanna! and If Wishes Were Horses.

Irish author Edna O’Brien, 93, died on July 27 “after a long illness,” according to her publisher. Her work, which was often autobiographical, contained honest depictions of women and lost love. She published her first novel, The Country Girls, in 1960, and it was banned in Ireland. She won the Irish PEN lifetime achievement award in 2001 and the PEN/Nabokov award for achievement in international literature in 2018.

Lewis H. Lapham, 89, longtime editor of Harper’s and editor of Lapham Quarterly’s, died on July 25 in Rome. Lapham served as editor in chief of Harper’s from 1976 to 2006. In 2006, he founded Lapham’s, an eclectic magazine focused on literature and history. His last book, Age of Folly: America Abandons Its Democracy, was published in 2016.

George A. Young, 88, editor of bestselling career guide What Color Is Your Parachute? died on June 15. Young began his career in the late 1960s when he was recruited by Ian Ballantine and went on to become editor-in-chief of Ballantine Books. He went on to serve as vice president and editor-in-chief of Ten Speed Press. Young spent his later career years as a consulting publisher for independent presses, including Heyday Books, Crisp Publications, Shelter Publications, and Bull Publishing. Ten Speed Press writes, “Well known for his wide-ranging and sophisticated interests, canny street smarts, and support of independent presses and […]

Albanian writer Ismail Kadare, 88, died on Monday, after being rushed to the hospital, reportedly experiencing cardiac arrest. In novels including The General of the Dead Army, he wrote about Albania’s history and angered the country’s communist government. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature 15 times and won the Booker International Prize in 2005, the award’s first year, given for his body of work. Albanian President Bajram Begaj said in a statement, “Albania and Albanians lost their genius of letters, their spiritual emancipator, the Balkans (lost) the poet of its myths, Europe and the world (lost) one […]

Ryland Peters & Small’s owner and managing director David Peters, 66, has died of cancer. Peters founded RPS in 1995 with Anne Ryland and Jacqui Small. The publisher writes, “His loss leaves a large hole for all those who knew him, and to his colleagues both in the UK and US. With RPS, he has created a great legacy… Losing David is devastating for everyone at RPS. Throughout his long career, he cultivated long-standing relationships all around the world. We know David will be sorely missed by many. His legacy will be carried on through his loyal staff and partners […]