Day: February 8, 2014

Kind note from Shirley

Kind note from Shirley

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Todd

I have been reading your mother’s books for years and when I am asked who my favorite authors are the top of the list is always your mother. You would get a great response if you came to Australia. I am just reading your book A Tribute To Anne McCaffrey And Pern Dragonwriter. It was a sad day when I read that your mother had died. The world lost a wonderful writer. She will be remembered for a long time and her books will be delighting readers for a long time.

Shirley

Shirley,

Thanks!

Mum was pretty awesome. I’m glad that so many people got a chance to learn that.

— Todd

Suggestion from David

Suggestion from David

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I had a dream last night …

[DELETED]

…That’s where the dream ended.

I’ve followed you and your mother (God rest her soul) for years, and truly enjoyed your writings.

David

David,

As you can see, I have deleted the bulk of your suggestion in this response and have deleted your entire email from my machine.

This is the sort of stuff from which long, lengthy, arduous, exhausting, annoying, and completely frivolous lawsuits are born.

This is not to say that I think you would do that but, rather, if people felt I were taking suggestions that I might have taken their suggestion and would feel entitled to their “share” of any money earned. This happened famously in a lawsuit over “E.T.” that has left all writers very much in fear of similar lawsuits.

And that’s disregarding the most important thing:

A story is a journey. It’s a journey first for the author and then for the readers (which, hopefully, there will be). As such, the idea for a story really must come from within the author — external ideas just don’t work.

Cheers,

Todd

Question from Jeannine

Question from Jeannine

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Hi Mr McCaffrey

I am a recent fan of “The Dragon Riders of Pern” and have been collecting the series and just finished buying all the books I could find however I am trying to locate “after the fall is over”, “Ever the Twain” but am unable to find out anything about them let alone where to buy them? I also purchased “The Dragon Lovers Guide to Pern” which if I remember correctly has the short story “The Girl Who Heard Dragons” but I have also found the full story in a book of its own so I was wondering if its worth while buying it as well? I have really enjoyed reading these stories and becoming emotionally involved in them and will miss them when I have finished reading the series.

Regards

Jeannine

Dear Jeannine,

You can find Ever the Twain in A Gift of Dragons which also has The Girl Who Heard Dragons.

After the Fall is Over is a novel Mum was working on but did not complete before her death.

I hope that helps!

Cheers,

Todd

Note from Jason

Note from Jason

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Dear Todd,

I was truly sorry to hear about your mom’s passing, she was a true visionary and remarkable author, I am glad she was able to write with you before she passed. The reason I am writting you is because I love this series. I know alot of people in my generation that do not know about it and have lent my books to many of my friends in the hopes that they will enjoy them too. I (like many appreantly) am waiting for the Dragonrider of Pern movie and would like to create a game app. Who do I need to reach about getting permission to do that. Thank you for your time and your books. (:-)

Respectully,

Jason

Dear Jason,

Thanks for your kind words.

As for your reason for writing me — you would probably not be surprised at the number of people who think The Dragonriders of Pern® a worthy source for good games.

Unfortunately, rights to such are one of the many things that producers look for when arranging movie deals and so are not available.

Before movie rights were an issue, there were several Pern games, including a very nice boardgame but they are all out of print and rights have reverted.

Any attempt to acquire rights would entail very lengthy legal work (to protect any potential movie deal) and pretty much price the endeavor out of the normal games company’s league, sad to say.

Cheers,

Todd