Erica Kennedy, author of "Bling" and "Feminista" was found dead in her Miami Beach apartment last week. Kennedy came into the limelight in 2004 after publishing the hip-hop satirical novel "Bling." The book was well-reviewed and published by Miramax Books. It tells the story of a young woman trying to make it in the music industry and who is discovered and refashioned as a glitsy singer by a music executive.

The book climbed the New York Times bestseller list and was the talk of many because of speculations that the book was based on hip-hop mogul Russel Simmons or P-Diddy. Having worked as a music writer and fashion publicist, Kennedy knew the aforementioned celebrities as well as many others. Simmons' ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons was good friends with Kennedy and the deceased author was the godmother of her two children.

The cause of death is still undetermined though there have been rumors of murder and suicide. Police investigators, however, have ruled out fowl play as there didn't appear to be a break-in or any signs of a struggle.

The author who was known for her writing but also for the role she played as a connector of people in the art world has been eulogized by many over social media and other online platforms.

Authors Barbara and Shannon Kelley of "Undecided: How to Ditch the Endless Quest for Perfect and Find the Career-Life That's Right For You" write in a Huffington Post blog, "A connector. A spark. A deep thinker and a deep feeler. Which can be rough for anyone and rougher still for some. I'm so sorry that I'll never know her betterand so thankful that I knew her at all. As Roger Ebert tweeted upon learning the news: The world is a lesser place."