Author Jane Wenham-Jones dies, aged 59

Author and journalist Jane Wenham-Jones has died at the age of 59. 

According to a fundraising page set up by her sister Judith Haire, she died on 22nd August of cancer. More than £1,000 has already been raised for the charity Cancer Research UK in her name. 

Her agent, Teresa Chris, told The Bookseller: “She was such a unique, vibrant person. I utterly adored her and I can’t believe she’s died so young. I miss her so much.” 

Charlotte Ledger, publishing director at One More Chapter, which released her most recent novels, said: “We are heartbroken to hear that our wonderful friend and author Jane Wenham-Jones has died. Since 2018, we have published three books with Jane, including the bestselling Mum in the Middle, The Big Five-O and her most recent, Old Enough to Know Better, which published earlier this year.  

“Jane was a brilliant, talented and hilariously funny writer, one of those authors who you couldn’t help but laugh out loud with, both in person and on the page. She was a huge part of our community and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, where she was a well-known figure for hosting the annual awards and sharing the stage effortlessly with famous presenters such as Reverend Richard Coles, Prue Leith and Jenny Éclair. 

“Beyond her writing career, Jane was a truly lovely woman. Always kind, always supportive of fellow authors and new writers, and a genuine pleasure and joy to work with. We feel hugely lucky to have been her publisher. All our thoughts and love are with her family, friends, her agent Teresa and her editor Kate Bradley.” 

Wenham-Jones lived with her family in Broadstairs, Kent. She regularly appeared on radio and TV. She wrote for a wide variety of magazines and newspapers, and was a regular columnist for Woman's Weekly and the agony aunt for Writing Magazine. In 2020 she was named Kent Press and Broadcast Awards’ Kent Columnist of the Year for her column in the Isle of Thanet News. 

She published seven novels, including Raising the Roof and Perfect Alibis with Bantam Press, One Glass is Never Enough and Prime Time with Accent Press. She also released three non-fiction books with Accent Press: Wannabe a Writer?, Wannabe a Writer We've Heard Of? and humorous diet book 100 Ways to Fight the Flab and Still Have Wine and Chocolate.

Wenham-Jones worked the after-dinner circuit, talked to writers’ groups and conferences, and worked as a celebrity speaker for P&O. She was the founder, with Denise Martin-Harker, of BroadstairsLit and hosted the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Romantic Novel Awards for the last 10 years. She also presented hundreds of events at literary and book festivals in the UK and abroad. 

RNA president Katie Fforde said: "The RNA wishes to say how very sad we were to hear the news of the death of Jane Wenham-Jones. Jane did so much for our organisation, compering our awards for many years. She helped writers in so many ways, with her books Wannabe a Writer and Wannabe a Writer We’ve Heard Of?, with her columns on writing, to the many courses she led at Chez Castillion and other places. She was the kindest, the funniest, and the most supportive of members and the very best of friends. Her loss will be felt for many years."

Many users also took to Twitter to pay tribute. Dorothy Koomson said: "I’m so sad that Jane Wenham-Jones has passed away. I connected with her in the early days of my writing career and she was so supportive to all writers at every stage of their journey. Rest in peace, Jane. Your warmth, generosity of spirit and humour will be missed." 

Julie Cohen added: "Jane Wenham-Jones was a kind and generous woman and a skilled writer. A funny and wise teacher, she helped countless writers learn their craft. I looked up to her; what a role model she was. Rest in peace, Jane."