LEGEND - FANTASY AUTHOR GEMMELL DIES

FANTASY AUTHOR GEMMELL DIES

British novelist DAVID GEMMELL has died at the age of 57, two weeks after undergoing heart bypass surgery. The best-selling fantasy writer started out as a journalist before switching to literature in the 1980s. He wrote 30 novels and attracted a huge cult following. His books include LEGEND, WAYLANDER and two recent historical novels about the siege of Troy, LORD OF THE SILVER BOW and SHIELD OF THUNDER. LARRY FINLAY, the managing director of Gemmell's publishers Transworld, says, "(He) was writing at the peak of his powers. He was a true pleasure to work with. "We will surely miss him, as will his thousands of devoted fans around the world." Gemmell is survived by his wife STELLA and two children.