Month: November 2013

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks

This has been a busy year for me.

This summer I moved out of Chatsworth down to Corona — just before Dragon*con. Prior to that I was one of the keynote speakers at the Mensa Colloquium — a great honor and marvelous event.

The move puts me nearer some family friends — both of whom are writers. I’ve spent some time with them at Starbucks (which is where I do a lot of work) and just having someone else around has increased my productivity a lot.

I’ve finished two new books this year and have started on a third. In addition, I’ve written a new short story for a forthcoming anthology.

Next year I’ve been invited to be Author Guest of Honor at several conventions — a great honor.

2014 promises to be a very exciting year!

Letter from Kathleen

Letter from Kathleen

Hi Todd!

I hope you and your family are doing well…Has it been a good summer? I sure hope so…

I was just thinking of you so I thought I’d drop you a note. I’m reading the Pern Series, chronologically, including all the short stories (often reading 2 or 3 books at the same time – The dates were awesome in working this out). This is probably, the 10th or 11th time I’ve done this. Yours and your Mom’s books brought me out of dark places, out into the light every time. My version of heaven is now a perfect rendition of Pern, riding a queen dragon, even with the threat of Thread, preferably during the 9th pass when so much was happening and being discovered.

I saw in another comment, you were assuring a reader that there were lots of stories left for Pern, excluding after the 9th pass. Does that mean that the period is “off limits” for you? Golly…I hope not….YOU could do it TOTAL justice, bringing your mother’s notes and dreams to life! Maybe make it a partnership deal with your sister! I’ll bet the results would be beyond measure…coming from “good stock” as you do :O) I have total confidence in you to provide us with a wonderful story of “After”. F’lar must successfully lead the last attack against thread and F’lessan and Tai have just started on their adventure in life, the new star halls are being started…and the best part, the new found ability of tele-kenesis…how will that be used and against who or what? Wow! What a gold mine of story line! Just food for thought… Pern is an institution that must be upheld :o)

Don’t mind me Todd…I just love these books and like any addict, I WANT MORE!

Best wishes to you and your family…

Most sincerely yours,

Kathleen


Dear Kathleen,

Thanks for the letter.

Summer was stressful, actually. But I’ve now moved and am in the long process of unpacking, so things are much better.

I’m glad that Pern has been such a marvelous place for you to visit and that it’s brought you comfort when needed.

With regards to the Ninth Pass, it wasn’t so much that it was off limits as it was that Mum was rather possessive of her characters. We managed to fix that when I let her play with my characters in Dragon’s Time and Sky Dragons.

Sadly, she left before we could do stuff together in the Ninth Pass. Fortunately, my sister is also allowed to write on Pern and so we’re going to see what’s what in the not too distant future (here on Earth, that is).

Sincerely,

Todd

Letter from Ellie

Letter from Ellie

Dear Mr. Mccaffrey:

I am a 70 year old avid reader of you and your mother’s books. I read the first one shortly after she wrote it and have looked forward to every new adventure. I am so happy you have picked up the baton and carried forth with the history of Pern. Thank you so very much.

Sincerely

Ellie


Dear Ellie,

Thank you!

I should say that I’m not the only one to have a baton — my younger sister is also so entitled.

So the good news is that you may not find yourself with just one but two baton-holders and Pern writers!

Sincerely,

Todd