Transworld (Mum’s UK publisher) has a nice photomontage of their current crop of her covers. (Click on the image to go to their website.)
Anne McCaffrey Transworld Covers
General
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Apr 052013
Anne McCaffrey eBooks
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Apr 052013
Good news! At least for those in the UK and the Commonwealth. Here is a list of the eBooks available from Transworld (Mum’s UK publisher). For more information on the many books of hers (and mine) that they publish, click on the list to be transported to Transworld’s website.
Mar 202013
Anne McCaffrey became a major quilter in the last years of her life. Naturally, still hoping to do many more quilts, she had amassed a huge backlog of material which remained after she passed away.
We’re very pleased that we managed to find a home for all the materials. The Irish Countrywoman’s Association (ICA) took the material and, in short order, produced a magnificent quilt.
Anne’s great friend, Maureen Beirne, arranged for Gigi to see the finished quilt and to meet the three ladies who made it. The pattern used here is a Jacob’s Ladder.
Here are some photos:
Quilters Rita Conalty (left) and Terry Newsome (right).
Quilt made by Ladies of the ICA, Mary Kavanagh to left
Quilt from Mum’s fabrics.
Another view of the quilt.
We’re very grateful to the ladies of the ICA and particularly to Maureen Beirne for all their efforts.
Not a Castle but a brilliant home in Ireland
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Feb 142013
Fittingly enough, today — Valentine’s Day — Mum’s house in Ireland has been put on sale.
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Dec 052011
This is the eulogy Alec Johnson, Anne’s eldest son, read in the funeral service held for Anne McCaffrey November 26th, 2011.
For nearly 60 years it’s been my distinct honor to be Anne McCaffrey’s eldest son. And it is with equal measures of joy and sorrow that I accept the honor of addressing you now as we celebrate the life and mourn the passing of the Queen of Science Fiction. I’m joined today by my brother, the author Todd McCaffrey, and my sister, Georgeanne, her husband, Geoffrey, and their son Owen. My daughters Eliza and Amelia couldn’t be here, nor was Todd’s daughter Ceara able to join us. Yet this list is far from being the sum of Anne McCaffrey’s family. Beyond my Mother’s legendary accomplishments as a writer, she was first and foremost a magnificent human being with the largest heart that ever warmed so many in its loving embrace. Her home, Dragonhold, boasts several lovely fireplaces, but it is the hearth erected from her heart, the vast mantle of which includes so many present here and even more unable to join us today.
My mother was like a river to her family and her friends. Many here will recall the zeal with which she approached Christmas when Dragonhold became a veritable warehouse of gift baskets from floor to ceiling, filling room after room. I doubt Santa had any elf more devoted to the Yuletide than Anne McCaffrey.
Yet the greatest gift I ever received from my Mother was her love. With every atom of my being I knew she loved me unconditionally and that gave me the confidence to grow and become the man she was so very proud of. Looking around this room, I know I’m not the only recipient of this gift. I’m sure Derval Diamond and her Daughter Jennifer received it. I know all the Callahan sisters did. Maureen Beirne, Ceara O’Connor, Maryanne McCarty, Margaret Kennedy, and too many others to name here, all knew Anne McCaffrey’s love. And when our family joined the Kennedy clan through Gigi’s marriage to Geoff, our Irish family became delightfully enlarged, extending my Mother’s hearth further still.
One of my earliest memories of family life with my Mother was a time when we were gathered around the television watching “The Wizard of Oz.” Mom loved it as much as we did and I’ve lost count of the number of times we watched it together. I’m reminded of this because of the Tin Man and what the Wizard told him about the heart he longed to possess. “A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.” By this measure there is no limit to my Mother’s heart. Since the day she passed and even now as I stand here before you, your love for her comes over me like warm, sweet sunrise. Anne McCaffrey could enjoy no finer legacy than this we all bear witness to today. And what a blessing it is that we are bound together today by mystic chords, spun from our memory of this truly remarkable woman and the love we share with her that not even death can diminish.
A Letter from Rick
Letters
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Nov 042011
Dear Ms. McCaffrey:
For many years I have enjoyed your books. I have lived among the dragons and the crystal – both in my mind and in reality – though your worlds have ways of making this world more bearable. Through your books you have been an inspiration for my continued writing efforts. While my s.f. has had few sale, many of my other writings have. I know this is just another fan letter among hordes, but if this note happens to come to your attention, please know that you have made a difference. I only hope that someone, someday, will say the same of my writing.
Sincerely,
Rick Meehan
Thank you, Rick!
All the best,
Annie
Brainship Question
Letters
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Nov 042011
Hello, could you please tell me the chronological order of the brainship series, every website that I go to seems to be different from each other. thank you very much for your time.
Dan Crocker
Oh, Dan!
My memory’s not so good and those stories were written a loonng time ago.
I’m told that Wikipedia has a listing — and they usually get things right.
Nov 042011
As a fan of your work, specifically the Rowan series, I’ve always wanted to ask if all your books would ever be available as eBooks. Though I own several of your books in paper back I tend to read on the go a lot and like the ease of ebooks.
Thanks for your time.
Chris S.
Chris,
I really don’t keep track of that. That’s something my publishers deal with.
Ciao,
Annie
Dragon*con Deferred
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Aug 182011
Dear All,
Mum wants me to relay to you how terribly sorry she is to have to cancel this year’s apperance at Dragon*con.
What seemed to be indigestion last week has now turned out to be something more serious – some incident with her heart, the full details of which are still to be determined by tests.
Mum very specifically asked me to apologize to those who had hoped to see her there, saying: “Sorry that old age came up and bit me on the a**.”
The Directors at Dragon*con have said that she’s to rest and get better so she can come next year.
Sincerely,
Todd McCaffrey
From a devoted reader
Letters
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Apr 262011
Dear Anne McCaffrey,
About 25 years ago, I discovered your book, The Harper Hall of Pern, when I was sixteen. Your beautiful writing entranced me and after all these years I still haven’t forgotten Menolly and her story. I recently introduced the book to my own sixteen year old daughter who loves it. I’ve read your other Pern books since and have enjoyed them all. I realized recently that out of all the books I’ve read in my life, and specifically all the science fiction and fantasy books, your stories have impacted my writing the most. You have a distinct way of pulling your readers into your fantasy world, and making us care about the characters. I’ve completed a few fantasy novels of my own and hope to be published one day. I just want to thank you for planting the seed.
If you have any advice for a new writer who wishes to become published, I’d welcome your thoughts. I hope I’m not being too forward in saying this, but I’d love to share my writing with you and see what you think. I hope to one day meet you in person. I wish you well and hope you are recovering from your surgeries.
All the best and with love,
Loretta Torossian
New York, NY
Loretta,
I’ve been asked this so many times I never have the same answer anymore!
First — keep reading. Writers are readers. Writers are also people who can’t not write.
Second, follow Heinlein’s rules for getting published:
1. Write it.
2. Finish it.
3. Send it out.
4. Keep sending it out until someone sends you a check.
There are variations on that, but that’s basically what works.
Ciao,
Annie
