US sci-fi author Jack Vance dies, aged 96

Tributes poured in today for award-winning US fantasy and science-fiction writer Jack Vance, after he died at home in California aged 96.
"Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen were among those praising the author, notable for the "Dying Earth" series set in a decaying future world.
"Vance's 'Dying Earth' ranks with (Robert E.) Howard's Hyborian Age and (JRR) Tolkien's Middle Earth as one of the all-time great fantasy settings," Martin, whose novels were turned into the medieval-fantasy TV drama "Games of Thrones."
"He had a huge influence on me and my work, and for the past fifty-some years has ranked among my very favourite writers," he wrote.

Vance died on Sunday at his home in California, according to a statement on his website, which described him as "generous, large-hearted, rugged, congenial, hard-working, optimistic and unpretentious."
Critics described much of his output as literary pulp, but honors he won during a long career included Hugo Awards in 1963 for "The Dragon Masters," in 1967 for "The Last Castle," and in 2010 for his memoir "This is Me, Jack Vance!"
Vance won a Nebula Award in 1966 also for "The Last Castle," as well as a Jupiter Award in 1975 and the World Fantasy Award in 1984 for life achievement, according to his website biography.

Microsoft co-founder Allen was among those who took to Twitter to praise Vance. "Wonderful person and wry creative genius, my fave sci-fi writer. Check out his books!" he tweeted.