Mr Herbert, who wrote horror classic The Rats, died only a week after his 23rd novel, Ash, was published.
He was prolific, releasing a new novel almost every year between 1974 and 1988, but said he remained ‘very insecure’ about his skills as a writer.
His fans disagreed and he sold more than 54million books and was translated into 34 languages.
Acclaimed: Best selling author James Herbert has died at his Sussex home aged 69, his publisher announced today
No cause of death was given but the spokesman said he had not been ill.
He is survived by Eileen, his wife of 46 years, and their three daughters Kerry, Emma and Casey.
Jeremy Trevathan, his publisher of ten years, paid tribute to him as an author with a ‘rare distinction’.
‘Jim Herbert was one of the keystone authors in a genre that had its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s,’ he said.
Popular: Several of Mr Herbert's books including classic The Rats, were made into films
‘He has the rare distinction that his novels were considered classics of the genre within his lifetime.
His death marks the passing of one of the giants of popular fiction in the 20th century.’
The youngest of three brothers, Mr Herbert was born and raised in the East End of London.
His childhood was what he later described as a ‘hand to mouth’ existence.
As a boy he often told dark stories to entertain his friends, inspired by watching the rats running in the bomb sites around them.
After school and art college Mr Herbert worked for an advertising agency.
Booker Prize winning author Salman Rushdie worked at the same agency at the same time.
He wrote his first novel, The Rats, aged 28. The book, which depicted a London overrun by mutant, flesh-eating rodents, was rejected by the first five publishers he sent it to.
When it was published in 1974 it was an immediate hit - the first printing of 100,000 copies sold out in three weeks.
The book is said to have been based on a line in Dracula in which a lunatic says that he has seen 1,000 rats with red eyes staring up from the lawn.
Among his other novels were The Magic Cottage and The Secret of Crickley Hall. Four of his books were made into films. The Magic Cottage was dramatised for Radio 4.
His 23rd novel, Ash, the tale of a paranormal detective who is sent to investigate the crucifixion of a man in a locked room at a remote Scottish castle, was published last week.
Bestsellers: Mr Herbert's work, including The
Secret of Crickley Hall, left, and Once, right, have been published in
34 different languages and sold more than 54million copies worldwide
The author was awarded an OBE in the
2010 Birthday Honours list and the same year he was made the Grand
Master of Horror by the World of Horror Convention.One of his friends, Gordon Giltrap, paid tribute to the author on Twitter.
Posting from @gordongiltrap, he said: 'Received some sad news this morning that my good friend James Herbert has passed away. Am in no mood for music, that’s for sure. RIP Jim.'
'The Fog has dispersed, the lights in the Magic Cottage have dimmed, Crickley Hall stands silent.'
Author William Hussey
Another, Peter James, wrote: 'Deeply saddened to hear today that my dear friend, writer James Herbert, died last night. Will miss you lots, Jim, you were a diamond.'
Almost 3,000 fans have left messages in tribute to Mr Herbert on his official Facebook page since the news of his death was announced.
One, Gary Alcock, wrote: 'I've been reading his books since I was 13 years old.
'I remember picking up a copy of The Rats in a second hand book shop back in 1985 and was hooked for life. Gutted.'
The critically acclaimed author has been the UK's bestselling horror writer since his first novel The Rats in 1974.
Stars such as Robert Powell, Sir John Gielgud, Kate Beckinsale, Matthew Modine and Samuel L jackson have all starred in screen adaptations of his work.
DAILYMAIL
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