We have just been informed of the death last week of Melbourne fiction writer, academic and critic Laurie Clancy.

Clancy’s first novel was A Collapsible Man (1975), and it was followed by Perfect Love (1983); The Wildlife Reserve (1994)-an admirable attempt at an Australian campus comedy-and Night Parking (1999). He was also a regular contributor of short stories to Australian journals and papers. Many of these stories have been anthologised, and a number were collected as The Wife Specialist (1979); City to City (1989), and Loyalties (2007). Several of his works of fiction were awarded prizes, including a National Book Council Award for A Collapsible Man, and a Fellowship of Australian Writers ANA Literature Award for Perfect Love.

Clancy had a lengthy academic appointment at LaTrobe University (1967-1996) and later taught creative writing at RMIT. He developed a reputation as a critic, reviewer and enthusiastic supporter of Australian literature, and in particular of 20^th century Australian fiction.  His publications included monographs on Xavier Herbert and Christina Stead, and he also wrote an excellent introductory handbook, A Reader’s Guide to Australian Fiction (OUP: 1992).

A funeral service for Laurie Clancy will be held at Joyce Chapel, Fawkner Crematorium, Thursday July 22^nd, at 12.45 pm.