Well-known, celebrated author, Eric Jerome Dickey, who’s known for penning such bestsellers such as “Sister, Sister,” “Friends and Lovers” and “Between Lovers,” died this week at 59.
“It is with great sadness that we confirm that beloved New York Times best-selling author Eric Jerome Dickey passed away on Sunday, January 3, in Los Angeles “after battling a long illness,” a rep for Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House, told The Post, adding that Dickey leaves behind four daughters.
The New York Times best-selling novelist earned a degree in engineering from the University of Memphis, landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer in Los Angeles. He soon discovered his passion for writing by way of comedy. After writing several scripts for a comedy act, he began penning poetry and short stories.
Born and raised in South Memphis, Dickey was a product of Riverview Elementary School, Riverview Junior High, Carver High, and Memphis State University, where he studied computer engineering.
Dickey moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a software developer, but soon found himself attracted to the city’s signature industry: entertainment.
He began working in standup comedy and doing some acting and even dancing while also writing skits, screenplays, and stories.
He published his first short story in 1994, and two years later found success with his first novel, “Sister, Sister,” which remains in print in paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook editions.
“A door opened,” Dickey once wrote of his entrance into the publishing world. “And I put my foot in before they could close it.”
After publishing his first short story in 1994, he went on to release the beloved “Sister, Sister” in 1996 about three women looking for love in LA. Other books, including novels “Chasing Destiny,” “Liar’s Game” and “Pleasure,” were on the New York Times’ best-seller list.
Described by Publishers Weekly as