Fantasy writer David Eddings dies

Bestselling fantasy author David Eddings, who wrote The Belgariad and the Malloreon series, has died aged 77.

Jane Johnson, publishing director at Eddings' UK publisher HarperCollins, paid tribute to the author. HarperCollins was his publisher from 1990 until 2006, when his last title, The Elder Gods, was released.

She said: "The Voyager team and I were immensely sad to hear the news. The arrival of a new Eddings novel used to be a grand event for the whole division. In the 90s, each one was guaranteed a Number One position on the Sunday Times hardback bestseller list, selling 100,000 copies apiece."

But his huge worldwide success and fame did not change Dave at all. In his dealings with me, and with Joy Chamberlain, his long-time editor, he was unfailingly self-effacing on the subject of his success, once saying: 'I'm never going to be in danger of getting a Nobel Prize for literature, I'm a storyteller, not a prophet. I'm just interested in a good story.'

"He was a towering force of modern commercial fiction, a master of the epic, and a delight to work with. We'll miss him tremendously."

Born in Spokane in Washington state, Eddings studied Middle English at university after a stint in the US Army. After a period working on missile development, Eddings wrote his debut novel, a contemporary adventure called High Hunt, in 1973. He switched to fantasy after noticing a copy of The Lord of the Rings was in its 73rd printing.