RIP J. G. Ballard

It is a long time since I worked with J. G. Ballard at HarperCollins, but his charm and personality, even several years hence, remain as memorable as ever. Whilst working on the paperback of Millennium People, I called him to discuss the cover and the PS section. He was completely happy with all of the corrections and the text of the PS and I thanked him for being so easygoing about the latter. ‘But why wouldn’t I be my dear? If HarperCollins thinks it’s a good idea, and will help to sell more books, then I think it’s a good idea. My position is it’s my job to write the thing and yours to sell it. Frankly, I’d be happy to strap a bottle of suncream onto the front if HarperCollins said it would shift more copies.’ If only it were always that easy… he was a lovely man, and he will be much missed.