Author Penny Vincenzi Has Passed Away at 78

Penny Vincenzi, the famed British author who has published 17 novels, two short stories, and has sold over 14 million books, sadly passed away on Sunday. Vincenzi was writing to the very end and her most recent book, A Question of Trust (US – UK), was published last year.

Her novels were regarded as doorstop-sized page turners and Glamour once called her the “doyenne of the modern blockbuster.” She also wrote for a number of newspapers including the Times, the Mirror and the Daily Mail. Clare Alexander, Vincenzi’s agent said: “Her special gift as a novelist was her love for her characters, and that came from her deep interest in not only the people in her imagination, but also in pretty well everyone she ever met.

“She had such a generous gift of friendship, quite blind to whether someone was the boss or just making her a cup of tea. And that is why so many people in publishing will be devastated by her loss. Throughout her life – which like everyone’s, had its own tragedies and pitfalls – Penny always looked for hope and joy and the best way forward, which is perhaps why her huge fan base crossed generations and never deserted her. I will miss her every day. She was a storyteller of such natural talent.”

Her four daughters, Polly Harding, Sophie Cornish, Emily Gunnis and Claudia Vincenzi said in a joint statement: “A true trailblazer, her ambition matched her talent, enabling her to break down barriers and show others behind her – especially her daughters – what it was possible to achieve, professionally and personally. In her later years she met many challenges with her health, but was adamant to remain, in her own words, ‘cheerful and positive, someone the grandchildren remembered as happy and fun to be around.’ She always said she wanted to die at her typewriter. Only last week she was still galloping through her new novel, so she fulfilled her ambitions to the last.”

Several notable authors have paid tribute to Vincenzi, including Sophie Kinsella and Harriet Evans. “As an author I so admired her ability to weave together huge, epic plot lines and create such satisfying books full of real life, wit and passion,” Kinsella added. “She was like one of her own novels: once you were in her company you didn’t want to say goodbye. I will really miss her.”

Evans worked as an editor for Vincenzi before she herself became a writer and has written a post on Instagram which reads: “She was always in touch. She sent the best presents for my girls. She made you laugh, you always laughed with her. She once told me she loved being a writer because she was so interested in people, weren’t all writers? (Absolutely not alas!). Her astonishing powers of storytelling, her work ethic, her intelligence and the way she raised up everyone with her & made them love her, from editorial assistants to the MD of the company – so many authors including me have so much to learn from her.”