As the world mourns the loss of New York Times bestselling author, Eric Jerome Dickey, we look back at some of the literary work he left behind.
Dickey died of cancer on Sunday according to his publicist at Penguin Random House. He was 59.
A former publicist, Emily Canders, at Dutton Books recalled working with Dickens. “I’ll always remember what a kind, genuine person he was. Even when I was a young publicist (that definitely made mistakes here and there!) he was always so gracious. And, it’s rare to find fans more loyal than his. He’ll be missed here at Dutton.”
Dickey authored fifteen novels many of which were on the bestseller lists of the Blackboard, The Wall Street Journal and The New Times. While Dickey may no longer be with us, his memory and literary works will live on forever. Here’s a look at some things you may not have known about Eric Jerome Dickey.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEZZIMVjG4J/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Dickey, born in Memphis, Tennessee, graduated from Memphis State University where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. But, becoming a bestselling author wasn’t initially in the cards for him. Upon graduating from Memphis State, Dickey moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in engineering.
After a stint as a software developer, he’d go on to pursue acting and stand-up comedy. And, though he made rounds on the local and national comedy circuit, his career journey would eventually lead him down the literary road.
One of his books become a play.
His book Friends and Lovers was turned into a touring play.
If one wasn’t enough, try two. Another book become a play.
If one touring play wasn’t enough, try two. Another book he authored, Cheaters, was also turned into a touring play.
He’s been compared to singer and songwriter Prince.
The New York Times journalist, Janet Maslin, compared his origin to that of a Prince song. In a 2004 review of his novel Drive Me Crazy Maslin stated, “Mr. Dickey’s characters have enough sultry self-confidence to suggest, at their best, a Prince song on paper.”
His relation to Black Panther and X-Men.
Dickey is the author of a six-issue miniseries of comic books for Marvel Enterprises featuring Storm (X-Men) and the Black Panther.
Possible film inspired by his novel may be coming.
His novel Naughty or Nice has been optioned by Lionsgate Films.
He’s considered one of the best authors.
A New York Times obituary described Dickey as “one of the most successful Black authors of the last quarter-century.”
A posthumously novel is coming.
His final novel, The Son of Mr. Suleman, will be published posthumously in April 2021.
Celebrities We've Lost In 2020
36 photos Launch gallery
1. Chadwick Boseman
Source:Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
1 of 36
2. Raymond Allen
2 of 36
3. Congressman John Lewis
Source:Jeff Hutchens/Getty Images
3 of 36
4. C.T. Vivian
Source:Prince Williams/Wireimage
4 of 36
5. Malik B.
Source:The Roots/Twitter
5 of 36
6. Andre Harrell
Source:Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
6 of 36
7. Betty Wright
Source:Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for Jazz in The Gardens Music Festival
7 of 36
8. Little Richard
Source:Ben Rose/WireImage for NARAS
8 of 36
9. Bill Withers
Source:Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
9 of 36
10. Earl Graves Sr.
Source:Photo by Vallery Jean/FilmMagic
10 of 36
11. Kenny Rogers
Source:Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SiriusXM
11 of 36
12. B. Smith
Source:Karsten Moran for The Washington Post via Getty Images
12 of 36
13. Katherine Johnson
Source:Photo by Eddy Chen/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
13 of 36
15. Esther Scott
Source:Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
15 of 36
16. Ja'Net DuBois
Source:Leon Bennett/Getty Images
16 of 36
17. Kobe and Gianna Bryant
Source:Harry How/Getty Images
17 of 36
18. Nick Gordon
Source:Photo by Tiffany Rose/WireImage
18 of 36
19. Bobby Brown Jr.
Source:Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET
19 of 36
20. Bishop Rance Allen
Source:Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET
20 of 36
21. B.B. King
Source:Frans Schellekens/Redferns
21 of 36
22. Chi Chi DeVayne
Source:Santiago Felipe/Getty Images
22 of 36
23. Congressman John Lewis
Source:Jeff Hutchens/Getty Images
23 of 36
24. B. Smith
Source:CJ Rivera/Getty Images
24 of 36
25. Johnny Nash
Source:Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
25 of 36
26. Pamela Hutchinson
Source:Michael Ochs Archives / Getty
26 of 36
27. Raymond Allen
Source:Sanford and Son
27 of 36
28. Betty Wright
Source:Aaron Davidson/Getty Images
28 of 36
29. Bill Withers
Source:Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
29 of 36
30. Katherine Johnson
Source:Alex Wong/Getty Images
30 of 36
31. Ja'Net Dubois
Source:Robin L Marshall/Getty Images
31 of 36
32. DeOndra Dixon
Source:Tom Cooper/Getty Images for Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show
32 of 36
33. Rafer Johnson
Source:Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images
33 of 36
34. Tommy 'Tiny' Lister
Source:Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
34 of 36
35. John ‘Ecstasy’ Fletcher
Source:Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
35 of 36
36. Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quiñones
Source:Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
36 of 36
Like TV One on Facebook and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter.