Cheryl Merser, Author

Cheryl Merser, an author of books on topics such as gardening and cooking, as well as a sought-after ghost writer, died of cancer at home in Sag Harbor on Dec. 6. She was 65 and had been ill for five years.

She began her literary career as a publicist at Random House, but, according to a friend, Susanna Porter of New York City, “as her talent for crafting copy became increasing apparent,” she left her job to write full time.

Her first two books, “Honorable Intentions: The Manners of Courtship in the ’80s,” and “Grown-Ups: A Generation in Search of Adulthood,” addressed differences as the Baby Boomers gave way to Generation X in the 1980s.

Her writing on gardening included “A Starter Garden: The Guide for the Horticulturally Hapless” and the coffee-table-size “The Garden Design Book.” 

On cooking, she wrote “Relax, It’s Only Dinner!” which, Ms. Porter said, “perfectly reflects” its author’s “casual approach to achieving unfussy, superb results.” She later published another book, called “Cooking Tools,” on that subject.

In addition to writing her own books, Ms. Merser collaboratored on numerous best-selling books with authors including the financial coach Suze Orman, and served as editor for “Guild Hall of East Hampton: An Adventure in the Arts,” a history of Guild Hall by Enez Whipple. 

She was born on Jan. 2, 1951, in Boston, and attended Michigan State University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree. 

A marriage to Michael Schnayerson ended in divorce. The couple’s daughter, Jenna Nicole Schnayerson of New York City, survives. 

Ms. Merser was cremated. A private service will be held this weekend.