Month: January 2008

Letter from Cindy

Letter from Cindy

Dear Mr. McCaffrey,

I am the mother of 2 teenage children. My daughter and I are totally enthralled by the “Pern” series originated by your mother. I have read and re-read them for the last 20 years. It seems, however, that I am missing a book and would like to obtain it; present sources, including on-line, have me stumped.

I am attempting to purchase ‘Dragonholder’, but the Chapters store here in Scarborough (near Toronto, Ontario, Canada) informs me that it is no longer in print. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I have managed to find out that ‘Dragon Harper’ was supposed to have been released last month, and that ‘After The Fall’ is due by the end of this year. Is this correct?

I have been an avid reader since childhood and have read a wide variety of books and authors in my 47 years, but I must say that absolutely nothing compares to the “Pern” books written by your mother and yourself. A university professor once told me that I had a photographic memory, which explains why prior to this I have found it difficult to re-read any book….not so with your books. Every year at Christmas time re-reading them is my gift to myself.

From my daughter, Keisha, and myself, a most sincere and heartfelt “Thank you” to both you and your mother for the hard work which gives us so many hours of pleasure.

Cindy

Dear Cindy,

First, please call me Todd!

Dragonholder is not a Pern book, it’s a book about how Mum came to write the Pern books. And yes, sadly, it’s out of print and only available on places like eBay — for about twice its list price.

I’m not sure of the status of “After the Fall”, I know that Mum was working on it but she’s having trouble getting energy these days — she’ll be 82 in April. It may be that she and I work on it together.

Cheers,
Todd

Letter from Zoe

Letter from Zoe

Dear Todd,

Well I have finally caught up!! After reading Dragonsblood and realizing there were two more books I was unaware of, I whizzed off to the local book shop to obtain Dragon’s Fire and Dragon Harper. Dragon Harper had only just come out so I had a little wait but it was well worth it!! To be honest with you I had to put the book down a couple of times so I could wipe away the tears to read on! A fantastic book, very moving, sad and full of hope at the end. I love the stories about the Harpers of Pern the most (except of course the Dolphins of Pern), so this was also a plus for me. I am now patiently awaiting Dragonheart, because I now have nothing to read!!

Regards Zoe

Dear Zoe,

Thank you! I’m glad that you liked Dragon Harper. Dragonheart is now over 100,000 words in its first draft with about half that much again to go (or — eek! — more).

Cheers,
Todd

Letter from John

Letter from John

Hi Todd

Just to say how much I enjoyed Dragon Harper and how much I’m looking forward to future installments in the life of Kindan. Maybe one day he’ll find a new love and/or a dragon of his own – but I’m not asking you to tell us!

Cheers
John

Hi John,

You should read Dragonsblood to get an answer on Kindan’s “new love”. As for a dragon… (grin) we’ll see!

Cheers,
Todd

Question from Frances

Question from Frances

I have been an avid fan of your mother’s books since I purchased the first three dragon books and the first of the fire dragon books. However, as I was reading the book I have at the moment, it occurred to me that for millions of years before people came to Pern, the red planet was spewing thread every 200 years for 50 years at a time, and the thread apparently could “suck the life out of a valley in a day”. Why was there no sign of thread damage when people came? I have trouble believing that it could recover in two hundred years. Who or what protected the planet before the dragons were developed?

Good question, Frances! I’ve asked that one myself, many times. I have several possible answers and one day Mum and I will have a long talk about them — maybe something will come of it.

Cheers,
Todd