The writer of The Life and Loves of a She-Devil published 34 novels as well as TV dramas, radio plays and short stories.

She was awarded a Travelling Scholarship by the Society of Authors in 1980, two years after she published the Booker Prize-nominated Praxis. The scholarships were established to improve the education and widen the mental outlook of British creative writers.

She remained an active member and SoA Fellow (formerly ‘Council Member’), and in 2017 joined the judging panel of the ALCS Tom-Gallon Trust Award.

An outspoken feminist and provocateur, Weldon wasn’t afraid to speak her mind on issues such as excessive bureaucracy or unfair practice in the publishing industry.

Nicola Solomon, Chief Executive of the Society of Authors, said:

“Fay was a wonderful writer, an excellent teacher, and always a great supporter of the SoA’s work. I will miss her incisive nature, whether in her comments at events or in interviews, at the many hilarious dinners and parties she threw, and even in her dealings with organisations — never one to accept unnecessary bureaucracy and illogical processes without question.”

In 2014, Weldon joined fellow SoA member and novelist Hilary Mantel for an edition of the talk series Writers in Conversation. Their discussion was titled ‘The Courage of Women Writers’ and can be seen in full here: