FILE - In this March 1, 1977 file photo, Australian author Colleen McCullough laughs during a news conference in New York. Best-selling author McCullough, whose novel "The Thorn Birds" sold 30 million copies worldwide, has died at age 77 after a long illness. McCullough died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015 in hospital on remote Norfolk Island, HarperCollins Australia publishing director Shona Martyn said in a statement. (AP Photo/File)