Woodiwiss, Queen of Historical Romance, Dies at 68 (
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6458310.html?nid=2286&rid=&
;source=title
)
-- Publishers Weekly, 7/9/2007 8:25:00 AM
Trailblazing romance author Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, who is
credited with inventing the modern historical romance novel,
died Saturday. She was 68. Woodiwiss broke onto the scene in
1972 with The Flame in the Flower. The book, which featured
such now standard genre tropes as a historical backdrop and
flashy sex scenes, was an anomaly in its day, according to
her longtime publisher Avon Books, and went on to become a
huge bestseller, selling over two million copies after its
first four years in print.
Avon published all of Woodiwiss*s 13 novels in paperback,
while Morrow published her in hardcover. She was, as
bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips put it, a
towering figure in the genre. "We all owe our careers to
her. She opened the world of romance to us as readers."
There are currently more than 26.7 million copies of
Woodiwiss*s novels in print; her last novel, Everlasting,
will be released in October.

She was the first biggie romance author I ever read. My story, The Wilding, is a twisted homage to The Flame and the Flower. To the lady who got me here! Happy journey to the next place.