Todd,

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your visit to Seattle/University Book Store. There is nothing quite as enjoyable as listening to the author of something you’ve read put their original/personal inflections into a reading. I have enjoyed the Pern novels you have written, and look forward to more of your writings on this and other worlds. I mentioned when I met you that “Decision at Doona” is the book that excited me to become an avid reader, and that I had always wondered who the Todd in the dedication was and what he was really like. Now I’ve met him. (sorta)

Thanks again,

Dave

Hi Dave!

I’m pretty sure that I cringed when you mentioned “Decision at Doona.” For those of you who don’t understand, the book is about a young Todd (age 6) and was published when I was in seventh grade. I leave it to you to imagine the teasing I got over “little Toddy”.

But I’m glad that you liked the book, Dave, particularly if it started you into reading! Certainly, with adolescence behind me, I can see how enjoyable the book would be to anyone who wasn’t given a starring role in it!

Cheers,
Todd

Hello,

Just finished reading Dragon Harper. I would have to say it was one of the best Pern books in the entire series. Kindan is a great character and I look forward to seeing more of him.

I think that what I liked the most in this story is the combination of falling from grace and redemption. Redemption is a so powerful because it gives us hope.

Thank you.

-Matt

Thanks, Matt!

I’m glad that you like Kindan because I plan on writing more about him!

Cheers,
Todd

Dear Todd,

I just finished Dragon Harper. Cried copiously. Have read all of yours and your mom’s books. Keep them coming! What a wonderful universe you both have created! The characters are so easy to become attached to.

Thank you for sharing your gift with us all.

Jan

Dear Jan,

Thanks! I’m glad that you liked Dragon Harper!

Cheers,
Todd

I don’t generally email my favorite writers (actually Anne plus son). I am the same age as you – so I started reading Anne the same as you probably – many years ago – in the 70’s. I grew up reading the greats – Asimov, Heinlein, your mom, etc. I finished your novel recently (I generally read it fast in one day – then go back and reread it leisurely twice.) I have enjoyed all your characters from the third pass and would like to continue reading about them – I did feel disappointed about another flu epidemic (pandemic) which was the crisis for this novel. Don’t get me wrong – it was written in a compelling and focused viewpoint – but I would like the characters to have other stumbling blocks/hazards to conquer: obviously there is always thread, but facing the agricultural society that is the basis for Pern one can list the threats the writer can employ in his/her plots – perhaps there can be more dragon-based ones. They are usually such omnipotent creatures that were designed by Kitti Ping – I have enjoyed the emergence of the watch-whers as their own special group. Good luck with the next book – I look forward to reading it! But I don’t think a movie will ever do justice to the saga – if it serves to introduce new fans to the series that great! Thank you for reading this.

Sincerely,
June

Dear June,

I completely understand your disappointment over “another flu epidemic.” It was one of the things that worried me when working on the story. However, the issue had already been raised in Dragonsblood and it was too important to merely gloss over — not only for the story but also for its continued impact in the Third Pass. The “Plague” (on humans) and the “illness” (of dragons) are the two defining events of the Third Pass, together producing the unique set of circumstances which will unfold in Dragonheart and the three books that follow it. The ramifications and reverberations of those two catastrophes will permeate the rest of the Third Pass, so I believe it’s important that readers have a chance to experience them firsthand.

Cheers,
Todd