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Tributes paid to author's 'empathy and respect'

Michael Wild Dr Laura Fish, smiling, wearing a bright red jacket and sitting in a coffee shop. She has gold earrings and her hair is tied into lots of thin braids.Michael Wild
The death of Dr Laura Fish came two weeks before the publication of her third novel

The death of author Dr Laura Fish at the age of 60 has been announced "with immense sadness" by her publisher.

It came just before the publication of her third novel, Lying Perfectly Still.

Previous work by Dr Fish, who was assistant professor in English and creative writing at Northumbria University, had won or been nominated for a number of literary prizes.

Fly on the Wall Press managing director Isabelle Kenyon said she wrote with "empathy and respect" for her subjects' stories.

Ms Kenyon described Lying Perfectly Still, a novel set in Eswatini, a landlocked country in southern Africa, during the Aids epidemic of the late 20th Century, as "a powerful and beautiful story".

"Laura’s work has lifted under-represented and marginalised voices, with empathy and respect for their stories, and I intend to make sure her voice remains present," she said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura’s partner, Michael Wild, and her family at this terrible time."

Michael Wild Laura Fish sits on a grey wicker garden chair, smiling and holding a book entitled in yellow lettering Lying Perfectly Still and with her name in orange lettering as author. She is wearing a dark vest top and has her brown hair in lots of thin braids. Michael Wild
Dr Laura Fish's third novel will be published on 24 October

Dr Fish was awarded the SI Leeds Readers’ Choice prize in 2022 and came third in the SI Leeds Literary Prize the same year, with her previous works including Strange Music, which was longlisted for the Women’s Prize, and Flight of Black Swans.

Founder and chief executive of New Writing North Clare Malcolm said: "Laura cared deeply about injustice and how writing, storytelling, dance and art can give a voice to the unheard.

"The world has lost an important writer, we have lost a warm and wise colleague, and international literature has lost a great ambassador."

Dr Fish's work is taught in universities worldwide and she also held posts as a creative writing tutor at the University of St Andrews, University of Western Cape, University of East Anglia and Newcastle University.

Her friend and colleague at Northumbria University Dr Fiona Shaw said: "She had a great capacity for wonder and was tenacious about those things most important to her.

"One of those was representing those people most marginalised and unheard in the world.

"Above all, she had a deep love for her two boys and I am heartbroken for her, and for them."

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