In The News

Popular romantic novelist passes away

Popular romantic novelist passes away

The death has taken place of Iain Blair who as Emma Blair became a bestselling author of so-called bodice-rippers. He was 69.

Mr. Blair’s literary transformation from being a burly 6ft. 3in. Glaswegian to a  ‘woman’ writer came about after failing with several thrillers. He decided, instead, to try his hand at a romantic novel.

He was advised to change his name as women readers tended to only purchase romantic novels written by women.

His first bodice-ripper — Where No Man Cries — was published under the name Emma Blair.

The true situation only became known in 1998 when his book Flower Of Scotland was nominated for the Romantic Novel of the Year award.

After leaving school Mr. Blair had first worked as a journalist but then decided to train as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. 

He was to work as an actor for 20 years, during which he appeared in a number of radio and television productions including The Saint, The Sweeney and Rock Follies.

But writing was to draw him away from the profession. He began by writing several plays for theatre and television before trying his hand at books.

However, success was to prove elusive until his decision to write romantic fiction under his new name.

He was to pen some 29 bodice-rippers, some of the titles sold more than 100,000 copies and he also became one of the most popular authors with library users.

 

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