Qld author Andrew McGahan dies after battle with cancer

Award-winning Queensland author Andrew McGahan has died after a short battle with cancer.

Andrew McGahan battled pancreatic cancer for several months.

QUEENSLAND author Andrew McGahan, famed for his Miles Franklin Award-winning book The White Earth, has died.

The 52-year-old novelist passed away yesterday after a seven-month battle with stage-four pancreatic cancer.

Andrew McGahan spends final weeks working on next novel

Known for his unique writing style, McGahan wrote 10 novels over a 27-year career, after breaking into the industry with his first book Praise.

The veteran novelist spent his last weeks with his partner Liesje Grieve, while working on his final book The Rich Man’s House, to be published by Allen and Unwin later this year.

In an earlier interview with The Courier-Mail, McGahan’s agent Fiona Inglis said he enjoyed the process of refining and shaping what would be part of his lasting legacy.

A statement on one of Allen and Unwin’s websites, Things Made From Letters, said McGahan would be sorely missed.

“We will remember Andrew for his fierce and intense intelligence, his kindness and generosity to all of us who worked with him, his fascination with the natural world, his bravery in facing his diagnosis and for each of his incredible novels, which will continue to be read and loved.”