We are sad to report on the death of January 3, New York Times bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey. The news was confirmed by his advisor. He was 59 years old.
“I’m heartbroken. My cousin, Eric Jerome Dickey, passed away yesterday,” wrote La Verne Madison Fuller on social media. “Guys, when God tells you to do something, just do it. Just a few weeks ago, God woke me up to send a message to him and say that I loved him. He told me that he loved us too. “
Dickey was the man behind several classic books on the most tender realities of black life, including “Sister, Sister”, “Friends & Lovers” and “Between Lovers”. In 2020, “Sister, Sister” was honored by Essence as one of the 50 most impactful books of the past 50 years.
More than 7 million of his books have been published worldwide.
Dickey was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and studied at Memphis State University. He started writing stories in 1989, 7 years before his debut novel was published. At the time, he was still working as an engineer, continuing his undergraduate course.
After leaving the engineering field to work as a comedian and actor, Dickey moved to Los Angeles. He wrote his own comic material, deepening his connection with writing.
It was through his work that many blacks could feel seen and a wave of love started on social media since the news of his death.
“I am really sad to hear about the death of Eric Jerome Dickey,” wrote author Roxane Gay on Twitter. “Yours were some of the first novels I read about black people who were not about civil rights slavery. He was a great storyteller. “
Journalist Ernest Owens also paid tribute, writing: “Eric Jerome Dickey” was one of the first authors of “grown people” books that he used to read furtively when he was in high school. A unique literary voice that left a mark on black culture forever. ”
In a 2019 interview, Dickey talked about the purpose behind his stories. “I don’t intentionally write a book with the idea of ’the moral of this story is’, because I’m more focused on letting the people in the book live,” he said. “I just try to do my best. I never know if I hit the nail on the head, if it really worked, until I put it out for people to read. “
We are sending our regards to Dickey’s family and everyone who met him.