Jacqueline Susann ​

Jacqueline Susann was an American writer and actress. Her novel 'Valley of the Dolls, is one of the best-selling books in publishing history. With her other novels, 'The Love Machine' and 'Once Is Not Enough', she became the first author to have three consecutive number one novels on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Quick Facts ​

• One of the best-selling authors in history with total book sales estimated to exceed 500 million copies worldwide.
• Wrote the bestselling novel Valley of the Dolls, which is one of the bestselling books in history.
• Many of her novels were made into films and television miniseries.
• Wrote both fiction and non-fiction books.
• Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Background ​

Susann was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1918. After graduating from West Philadelphia High School, she left for New York to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress. Over the years, she landed parts in Broadway shows, movies, and TV shows. However, when her son was diagnosed with autism, she pivoted toward writing to stay close to home and care for her child. Her debut novel, "Valley of the Dolls", published in 1966, became an instant success, climbing to the top of the bestseller lists. Her subsequent works like "The Love Machine" and "Once is Not Enough" also became popular, solidifying her place as a successful writer. She passed away in 1974 at the age of 56.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Susann's writing is characterized by a dramatic, elaborate style with vivid descriptions and strong, memorable characters. She primarily wrote about glamorous and scandalous lives of the wealthy and famous. While her work was often dismissed as shallow and trashy during her lifetime, she has been recognized in recent years for her impact on popular culture and as a pioneer of the modern blockbuster novel. Her books were some of the first to make the New York Times Best Seller list, proving that a mass-market, popular novel could also be a huge commercial success.

Notable Works ​

• Valley of the Dolls (1966)
• The Love Machine (1969)
• Once Is Not Enough (1973)
• Dolores (1976)