Elaine Everest, author of The Woolworths Girls, dies aged 70

Elaine Everest, author of The Woolworths Girls series, has died aged 70.  

The historical saga writer died on Friday (16th August), her publisher Pan Macmillan confirmed. 

Everest was inspired by stories of the war years in her hometown of Erith, Kent, to write her Sunday Times bestselling Woolworths Girls series, published by Pan Macmillan in 2016.

Since signing with Pan Macmillan, Everest wrote a further 15 historical saga novels set around the Second World War. A Christmas Wish at Woolworths, the 11th title in the Woolworths Girls series, will be published in paperback on 24th October. Before becoming a novelist, Everest was a journalist and wrote widely for women’s magazines and national newspapers. Also a qualified creative writing tutor, she ran The Write Place creative writing school in Hextable, Kent.  

Everest’s agent Caroline Sheldon said: "I have had the pleasure of representing Elaine’s novels for well over a decade. Our partnership started with the bestselling Woolworths Girls series published by Macmillan and now numbering 11 titles.  

"Elaine herself had a Saturday job in Woolworths and in her writing she brought alive the adventures and gossip of a group of young girls working in the iconic store. Her writing was full of vigour and energy alongside the period detail and nostalgia that her readers loved. She will be much missed by all who knew her and the many who loved her books."

Lucy Hale, managing director of Pan, said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Elaine Everest, whose heartwarming tales of love, resilience and community spirit have captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands of readers. Not only was Elaine a supremely talented storyteller; she was also an incredibly hard-working author who loved connecting with her readers, and who we all loved working with.  

"We at Pan Macmillan are honoured to have published wonderful 14 novels from Elaine and we were all looking forward to celebrating the publication of A Christmas Wish at Woolworths together this year. We are thinking of her husband Michael and all those closest to her at this difficult time."

Katie Loughnane, publishing director of Pan Fiction, added: "It has been a privilege to work with Elaine, who is undoubtedly one of Britain’s best-loved saga writers. I have always been inspired by the women in her stories, who never fail to find laughter, forge friendships and—above all—demonstrate resilience and hope during times of uncertainty. Elaine will be sorely missed by the whole team at Pan Macmillan, as well as those in our wider community: authors, bloggers, booksellers and, of course, her legions of dedicated readers."