<Tr> <Th> Preceded by </Th> <Td> Every Night, Josephine! </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Followed by </Th> <Td> The Love Machine </Td> </Tr> <P> Valley of the Dolls is the first novel by American writer Jacqueline Susann . Published in 1966, the book was the biggest selling novel of its year . To date, it has sold more than 31 million copies, making it one of the best - selling works in publishing history . </P> <P> The novel tells the story of three young women who become fast friends in the turbulent post-war worlds of Broadway and Hollywood: Anne Welles, a reserved New England beauty who sees New York as the romantic city of her dreams; Neely O'Hara, an ebullient vaudevillian with a talent she doesn't fully understand; and Jennifer North, a sweet - natured showgirl who wants only to be loved . As life becomes difficult, each woman grows increasingly dependent on "dolls," the amphetamines and barbiturates which, for a time, seem to help . </P>

Who wrote the book valley of the dolls