Given your literary upbringing and current full time job, I’m wondering if you knew Andre Norton. As a child I devoured C.S. Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, and Tolkien. A teacher friend of the family recommended some other authors I might enjoy, including Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey, and Madeline L’Engle. I didn’t realize it then, but those recommendations helped balance the genders of my favorite writers and most importantly got me into Pern. It is no coincidence that one of the best pieces of advice I ever received mentioned Anne McCaffrey and Andre Norton together. Farewell to the Grand Dame of SF&F.

Dave

Hi Dave,

I was an avid reader of Andre Norton’s books. After Heinlein, she was the next author I gravitated to in my tweens. She was a marvelous, sweet lady and the godmother of the White Dragon — Ruth was her suggestion.

She’ll be missed.

— Todd

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I just finished “Dragon’s Blood”.

Wow, welcome back to Pern!

I’ve read every book your mother has written (and still have all the copies).

I just wanted to thank you for continuing your mother’s work. When I was in my 20’s, I was in a bad place, the world of Pern became my hold on hope. Now I visit and re-visit whenever I need a little up-lift of spirit. They said I wouldn’t make it, but I’m now 51 and will be here for a long time to come. Thank you.

I dream on the wings of dragons.

Velma Gay

Hi Velma Gay!

I’m glad that Pern helped you through your bad place and gave you hope. One of the great things about Mum’s books is that many people have found them a place to go for hope.

I’m thrilled that you feel that Dragonsblood maintains Mum’s high standards!

Cheers and great dreams!

Todd

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Will Dragonsblood be coming out in paperback? I’ve all the Pern series in paperback and would like to continue to have all the books that way. Also; as I’m on a pension, budget wise hard covers are too expensive. I’m sure others are also in that predicament. Thank You.

Hi Valerie!

Yes, Dragonsblood will come out in paperback. I don’t know when, yet. I imagine it’ll be sometime next year.

I understand all about budgets. I have a friend who’s on a pension who makes regular use of his public library.

Cheers,
Todd

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Heartfelt congratulations on “DragonsBlood”, it is a wonderful book, and it bodes well for Perns future. I’ve been reading Pern books for almost 30 years, they are wonderful friends.

I’ve never written before now… Please continue on with Pern.

You probably gets scads of ideas, and this one has been taboo throughout all the Pern stories, but the taboo has never been examined in a story, so here it is.

Dragon against Dragon. The stage is set at the end of “Moreta, Dragon Lady of Pern”, you have an unruly Weyr, and potential conflict fills the air. This could explain why the sentiment against this possibility is so strong…..

Just a thought. I sincerely wish you, Anne, and Pern the best.

Phil

Hi Phil,

I’m glad that Dragonsblood passed muster with you.

Actually, I’m quite allergic to people giving me ideas. There are far too many lawsuits which have enriched lawyers and impoverished authors because someone (mistakenly) believes that some writer stole their idea.

As for dragon against dragon — never happen. Not ever. No, nyet, nein, non. Remember in Dragonquest how upset Kylara’s Prideth was when Kylara merely skirted her duties as Weyrwoman. Dragons just won’t go after each other. They leave that sort of stupidity to dragonriders (F’lar and T’ron, for example).

Thank you for the good wishes! We’ll try to keep the dragons flying and Pern alive for Turns to come!

Cheers,
Todd

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