Erica Kennedy, 42, a music writer turned novelist who came to wide attention in 2004 with the publication of her first novel, Bling, a satirical roman a clef about the world of hip-hop, was found dead last week at her home in Miami Beach.
Her family confirmed the death to the Associated Press but provided neither the cause nor the precise date Ms. Kennedy died.
Bling tells the story of a young, innocent mixed-race woman trying to break into the music business. A gifted singer, she is remade in flashy style by a rapacious record mogul. Ms. Kennedy was reported to have received an advance of half a million dollars for the novel.
