The English author Joseph Delaney, who created a wonderful cosmos and was remembered as a man “of infinite imagination” by his children, passed away at the age of 77.
How did Joseph Delaney die?
Joseph Delaney, a British novelist best known for the L’Epouvanteur series of children’s books, passed away on Thursday at the age of 77. His family made the announcement. This former English teacher had entered young adult and fantasy literature rather late.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Delaney. He was a fantastic and passionate advocate for libraries in Lancashire and beyond. He will be dearly missed.
— Lancashire Libraries (@LancsLibraries) August 18, 2022
Our sincere condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/7dV8649OBY
He originally published a novel under a pseudonym in 1997. In 2004, he released the first book in his series, “l’Epouvanteur,” which was later adapted for the big screen in 2014. Following his initial success, he left his position as a teacher, and 12 additional volumes were released. published in France by Bayard jeunesse up till 2017.
Joseph Delaney cause of death
Fantasy book series creator Joseph Delaney has passed away at the age of 77, according to his family.
According to a statement released by publisher Penguin Random House on behalf of the family, he passed away on August 16 “after an illness that, in his indomitable style, he kept to himself and his family so he could keep on with writing as much as he humanly could”.
Who was Joseph Delaney?
The Spook’s Apprentice, the first book by the former teacher, who was born in Preston and lived in Manchester, was released in 2004. Since then, he has written more than 25 other books for kids.
Seventh Son, a movie based on The Spook’s Apprentice, was released in 2014.
His “boundless” creativity, according to his children Joanne, Paul, and Stephen, allowed him to realise his dream of becoming an author.
Delaney stated that he had been “inspired by Tolkien and wished to write like him” in an interview posted on his website, but that he had “failed badly and lost count of the many times that my manuscripts were rejected.”
In addition, he wrote several short story collections, the Brother Wulf series, and the Starblade Chronicles, practically all of which are in the same fantasy genre. On his website, he said, “I was inspired by Tolkien and I wanted to write like him. However, on the recommendation of his agent, he changed his focus to children’s literature after having numerous manuscripts rejected. He welcomed the many excursions and interactions with young readers that followed, saying, “I don’t regret anything at all.”
With much sadness, the family of master storyteller, Joseph Delaney, confirm that he passed away aged 77 on 16th August. Joe is best known for the Spook's series, including The Spook's Apprentice. pic.twitter.com/0jGu0LeigQ
— PuffinBooks (@PuffinBooks) August 18, 2022
He was an author “with an unlimited imagination” and a “wonderful father
The Writer’s Children
Over 4.5 million copies of his books, which have been translated into thirty languages, have been sold worldwide. His three daughters praised him as a writer with “infinite creativity” and a “great father” who told them terrible stories as children that weren’t appropriate to be shared at night.
In addition, they paid tribute to a “really kind man, with a fantastic sense of humour, especially after a drink of wine,” who wrote “as long as he could.”
Joseph Delaney career
Before signing a contract with Random House Children’s Books in 2004 for his debut novel, The Spook’s Apprentice, English teacher Joseph Delaney worked to establish the Media and Film Studies Department at the Blackpool Sixth Form College.
He continued to write The Wardstone Chronicles, a dark fantasy series, with 12 more books and added an additional 17 books, mostly situated in the same universe.
More than 4.5 million copies of the novels have been sold and they have been translated into 30 other languages.
The Seventh Son, a 2014 film based on The Spook’s Apprentice, starred Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore, and Jeff Bridges.
The author, who was born in Preston, passed away on August 16 after keeping his illness a secret.
Joseph Delaney awards
Delaney’s books have sold more than 4.5 million copies worldwide and been translated into 30 different languages. They have won various prizes, including the Lancashire Book Award.
He changed the names of various localities from his early years into Prieston, Chipenden, and Caster in his books, and said that the haunted house that Tom Ward’s main figure brought all of his trainees through was based on his own house.
Tribute to Joseph Delaney death
My favourite author, Joseph Delaney, passed away recently. I'd like to thank him for everything he's ever done for me without knowing it. His books kept me company when nobody else would. When I realised my best friend stopped liking me, I held on to his books and his characters
— Iris | Wish You Were Sober 🍂 (@AprilMoondrops) August 18, 2022
Joanne, Paul, and Stephen, three of Joe’s children, said of him: “His imagination was limitless, and he could have continued to write brand-new, thrilling stories for years to come. He delighted in meeting readers everywhere and learning what they thought of his novels. We are quite happy with what he accomplished.
Dad loved writing and lived his dream over the last 18 years as an author published by Random House and Penguin
Every page shows how much of his father is present in his writing. Dad used to tell us spooky tales when we were young, but they shouldn’t have been told at night. We are so lucky to still have those memories.
He was a great father, a guy of unwavering compassion, and he had a contagious sense of humour, especially after a drink of red wine.
“We hope that reading his novels will encourage both children and adults to make up their own stories and pursue their own aspirations. He would have been content with that.
“I was really happy to have been his editor for many years,” said Ruth Knowles, the publishing director for Puffin.
The Spook’s Apprentice was first published just before I joined Random House Children’s Books (now Penguin Random House Children’s) and so Joe and his totally unique blend of fantasy-horror have been a part of my entire working life
Ruth Knowles, Publishing Director for Puffin
Beyond heartbroken to hear of the passing of my favourite author of all, Joseph Delaney. Whilst everyone else was reading the usual suspects, I was spending my childhood engrossed in his Wardstone Chronicles. It was a dream of mine to meet him. My heart goes out to his family. 💔 pic.twitter.com/v99gBDUzoQ
— John R. Moore (@jmoore067) August 18, 2022
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We would meet for beers in Manchester, and whenever I would ask him a question, he would simply smile and remind me that he wrote using “The Bram Stoker” method, which means that nothing was ever plotted or organised in advance. It was frustrating at times, but it was also incredibly magical as the creatures and characters from his worlds would gradually come into focus and embark on brilliantly terrifying adventures.
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