Pat Barr obituary

Writer and social historian fascinated by the impact of westerners in the far east

Peter Broome obituary

Other lives: Gifted teacher, communicator and literary critic who specialised in modern French poetry

Joanna Skelt obituary

Other lives: Birmingham’s poet laureate who found inspiration in the city’s diversity

Philip Kerr obituary

Writer best known for his crime fiction books featuring the Berlin private detective Bernie Gunther

Zena Skinner obituary

Television cook and author who offered sensible, homely advice about traditional dishes to British viewers in the 1960s and 70s

Val Mulkerns obituary

Novelist and poet who became an important female voice in the literary canon of Ireland

Sir Wilson Harris obituary

Writer and leading figure in postcolonial literature whose work was inspired by Guyana, the place of his birth

MAR Taleghany obituary

Other lives: Renowned scholar of the work of the 13th-century Persian Sunni Muslim poet, theologian and mystic Rumi

Michele Hanson obituary

Writer whose Guardian columns took the dross of the everyday as the basis for perceptive, funny and unflinching observation

Penny Vincenzi obituary

Bestselling author whose complex blockbusters about love, secrets and boardroom intrigue sold millions worldwide