What do you think?
Rate this book
Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern
When Anne McCaffrey passed in November 2011, it was not only those closest to her who mourned her death; legions of readers also felt the loss deeply. The pioneering science fiction author behind the Dragonriders of Pern® series crafted intricate stories, enthralling worlds, and strong heroines that profoundly impacted the science fiction community and genre.
In Dragonwriter , Anne's son and Pern writer Todd McCaffrey collects memories and stories about the beloved author, along with insights into her writing and legacy, from those who knew her best. Nebula Award–winner Elizabeth Moon relates the lessons she learned from Pern's Lessa (and from Lessa's creator); Hugo Award–winner David Brin recalls Anne's steadfast belief that the world to come will be better than the one before; legendary SFF artist Michael Whelan shares (and tells stories about) never-before-published Pern sketches from his archives; and more.
Join Anne's co-writers, fellow science fiction authors, family, and friends in remembering her life, and exploring how her mind and pen shaped not only the Weyrs of Pern, but also the literary landscape as we know it.
Contributors
• Angelina Adams
• David Brin
• David Gerrold
• John Goodwin
• Janis Ian
• Alec Johnson
• Georgeanne Kennedy
• Mercedes Lackey
• Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
• Lois McMaster Bujold
• Elizabeth Moon
• Charlotte Moore
• Robert Neilson
• Jody Lynn Nye and Bill Fawcett
• Robin Roberts
• Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
• Wen Spencer
• Michael Whelan
• Richard J. Woods
• Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
In Dragonwriter , Anne's son and Pern writer Todd McCaffrey collects memories and stories about the beloved author, along with insights into her writing and legacy, from those who knew her best. Nebula Award–winner Elizabeth Moon relates the lessons she learned from Pern's Lessa (and from Lessa's creator); Hugo Award–winner David Brin recalls Anne's steadfast belief that the world to come will be better than the one before; legendary SFF artist Michael Whelan shares (and tells stories about) never-before-published Pern sketches from his archives; and more.
Join Anne's co-writers, fellow science fiction authors, family, and friends in remembering her life, and exploring how her mind and pen shaped not only the Weyrs of Pern, but also the literary landscape as we know it.
Contributors
• Angelina Adams
• David Brin
• David Gerrold
• John Goodwin
• Janis Ian
• Alec Johnson
• Georgeanne Kennedy
• Mercedes Lackey
• Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
• Lois McMaster Bujold
• Elizabeth Moon
• Charlotte Moore
• Robert Neilson
• Jody Lynn Nye and Bill Fawcett
• Robin Roberts
• Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
• Wen Spencer
• Michael Whelan
• Richard J. Woods
• Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2014
109 people are currently reading
1936 people want to read
About the author
Todd McCaffrey
118 books537 followersTodd J. McCaffrey (born as Todd Johnson) is an Irish American author of science fiction best known for continuing the Dragonriders of Pern series in collaboration with his mother Anne McCaffrey.
Todd Johnson was born 27 April 1956 in Montclair, New Jersey as the second son and middle child of Horace Wright Johnson (deceased 2009), who worked for DuPont, and Anne McCaffrey (deceased 2011), who had her second short story published that year. He has two siblings: Alec Anthony, born 1952, and Georgeanne ("Gigi", Georgeanne Kennedy), born 1959.
Except for a six-month DuPont transfer to Dusseldorf, Germany, the family lived most of a decade in Wilmington, Delaware, until a 1965 transfer to New York City when they moved to Sea Cliff, Long Island. All three children were then in school and Anne McCaffrey became a full-time author, primarily writing science fiction. About that time, Todd became the first of the children to read science fiction, the Space Cat series by Ruthven Todd. He attended his first science fiction convention in 1968, Lunacon in New York City.
Soon after the move, Todd was directed to lower his voice as an actor in the fourth-grade school play, with his mother in the auditorium. That was the inspiration for Decision at Doona (1969) which she dedicated "To Todd Johnson—of course!" The story is set on "an overcrowded planet where just talking too loud made you a social outcast".
Anne McCaffrey divorced in 1970 and emigrated to Ireland with her two younger children, soon joined by her mother. During Todd's school years the family moved several times in the vicinity of Dublin and struggled to make ends meet, supported largely by child care payments and meager royalties.
Todd finished secondary education in Ireland and returned to the United States in 1974 for a summer job before matriculation at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He studied engineering physics and discovered computers but remained only one year. Back in Dublin he earned a Mechanical Engineering degree at the College of Technology (Bolton Street). Later he earned a Politics degree at Trinity College, Dublin.
Before Trinity College, Todd Johnson served in the United States Army 1978–82, stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, and determining to pursue civilian life. After Trinity he returned to the US hoping to work in the aerospace industry but found employment in computer programming beginning 1986.
He earned a pilot's license in 1988 and spent a lot of time flying, including solo trips across North America in 1989 and 1990. Meanwhile he sold his first writings and contributed "Training and Fighting Dragons" to the 1989 Dragonlover's Guide to Pern, using his military and flight experience. Next year he quit his job to write full-time and in 1992 he attended the Clarion Workshop for new science fiction and fantasy writers.
Writing under the name Todd Johnson until 1997/98 he specialized in military science fiction, contributing one story each to several collective works
As a boy, Todd accompanied his mother to her meetings with writers, editors, publishers, and agents; and had attended conventions from age 12.
He was exposed to Pern before its beginning: soon after the move to Long Island when he was nine, his mother asked him what he thought of dragons; she was brainstorming about their "bad press all these years".
The result was a "technologically regressed survival planet" whose people were united against a threat from space, in contrast to America divided by the Vietnam War. "The dragons became the biologically renewable air force."
About thirty years later, Todd McCaffrey recalls,
"the editor at Del Rey asked me to write a "sort of scrapbook" about Mum partly to prevent Mum from writing her autobiography instead of more Pern books. That was Dragonholder [1999].
The editor had also pitched it to me that someone ought to continue Mum's legacy when she was no longer able. At the time I had misgivings and no stor
Todd Johnson was born 27 April 1956 in Montclair, New Jersey as the second son and middle child of Horace Wright Johnson (deceased 2009), who worked for DuPont, and Anne McCaffrey (deceased 2011), who had her second short story published that year. He has two siblings: Alec Anthony, born 1952, and Georgeanne ("Gigi", Georgeanne Kennedy), born 1959.
Except for a six-month DuPont transfer to Dusseldorf, Germany, the family lived most of a decade in Wilmington, Delaware, until a 1965 transfer to New York City when they moved to Sea Cliff, Long Island. All three children were then in school and Anne McCaffrey became a full-time author, primarily writing science fiction. About that time, Todd became the first of the children to read science fiction, the Space Cat series by Ruthven Todd. He attended his first science fiction convention in 1968, Lunacon in New York City.
Soon after the move, Todd was directed to lower his voice as an actor in the fourth-grade school play, with his mother in the auditorium. That was the inspiration for Decision at Doona (1969) which she dedicated "To Todd Johnson—of course!" The story is set on "an overcrowded planet where just talking too loud made you a social outcast".
Anne McCaffrey divorced in 1970 and emigrated to Ireland with her two younger children, soon joined by her mother. During Todd's school years the family moved several times in the vicinity of Dublin and struggled to make ends meet, supported largely by child care payments and meager royalties.
Todd finished secondary education in Ireland and returned to the United States in 1974 for a summer job before matriculation at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He studied engineering physics and discovered computers but remained only one year. Back in Dublin he earned a Mechanical Engineering degree at the College of Technology (Bolton Street). Later he earned a Politics degree at Trinity College, Dublin.
Before Trinity College, Todd Johnson served in the United States Army 1978–82, stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, and determining to pursue civilian life. After Trinity he returned to the US hoping to work in the aerospace industry but found employment in computer programming beginning 1986.
He earned a pilot's license in 1988 and spent a lot of time flying, including solo trips across North America in 1989 and 1990. Meanwhile he sold his first writings and contributed "Training and Fighting Dragons" to the 1989 Dragonlover's Guide to Pern, using his military and flight experience. Next year he quit his job to write full-time and in 1992 he attended the Clarion Workshop for new science fiction and fantasy writers.
Writing under the name Todd Johnson until 1997/98 he specialized in military science fiction, contributing one story each to several collective works
As a boy, Todd accompanied his mother to her meetings with writers, editors, publishers, and agents; and had attended conventions from age 12.
He was exposed to Pern before its beginning: soon after the move to Long Island when he was nine, his mother asked him what he thought of dragons; she was brainstorming about their "bad press all these years".
The result was a "technologically regressed survival planet" whose people were united against a threat from space, in contrast to America divided by the Vietnam War. "The dragons became the biologically renewable air force."
About thirty years later, Todd McCaffrey recalls,
"the editor at Del Rey asked me to write a "sort of scrapbook" about Mum partly to prevent Mum from writing her autobiography instead of more Pern books. That was Dragonholder [1999].
The editor had also pitched it to me that someone ought to continue Mum's legacy when she was no longer able. At the time I had misgivings and no stor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 1, 2014
Menolly of Pern was one of my first awesome girl heroines during my awkward teenage years. Unlike most Pern fans, I came into the world through Anne McCaffrey's Harperhall Trilogy, which I read in junior high and have made it a point to re-read it at least once every year. Menolly, the irrepressible scamp Piemur, Manora, Masterharper Robinton and Menolly's brace of fire lizards--are old and familiar friends. I'm still hoping for a bronze fire lizard of my own.
Unlike typical romance heroines who were always perfect, always beautiful and often stuck on stupid, Menolly was self-sufficient and not scared to be smart. She wasn't about her looks but her brains. I've come across some readers who, in trying to be oh-so "edgy" have accused McCaffrey of writing Menolly as a "Mary Sue". Sorry, but unlike the obvious Mary Sue-edness of Bella Swann, Menolly wasn't perfect. In fact, I've found her to be rather socially inept when it comes to basic human interactions. She has a hard time making female friends, but no wonder. Like myself, she grew up wanting to do "what the boys did". For her it was being a harper. For me it was jumping over garbage cans a la Evel Kneivel and reading science-fiction. I didn't have girl friends with these sorts of hobbies. And the few female friends she does make--namely with Mirrim (whom I have always been a fan of)--are cut from that same cloth.
Once I discovered there was more Pern, then there was Lessa--prickly but strong and a wonderful leader. Lessa wasn't warm and fuzzy and her first mating flight with Ramoth was so far and away not the hearts and flowers type of intimate scene, and yet it made perfect sense for it not to be. And yet for some reason, I always got a nice tingle down below reading it. My guess is the idea of being mentally overwhelmed by the sheer lust of the dragon, which is still an animal. I wondered then, even at that age, whether animals had the right of it. Sex without all the human rules. Though I have, over the years, have had serious issues with McCaffrey's handling of Kylara. Not that I liked the bitch, but her sexuality should have been separate from her other bad behaviors as Weyrwoman. I've often viewed the Brekke/Kylara arc as a weird Madonna/Whore dichtomy (though I love Brekke and F'nor and it would have been all kinds of AWESOME had Canth flown Wirenth).
Oh Anne McCaffrey, how your world of Pern changed my life for the better. My first love was Lord Jaxom (he even figured prominently in my first book written in high school--The Time Ghost and Saren). Then I fell for the steadfast yet easygoing F'nor. But I will always love Masterharper Robinton and I bawled like a baby at his passing. I sighed with fangirlish happiness when Menolly and Sebell got together (no surprise there really), courtesy of the mating of their fire lizards.
Then I met Killashandra Ree and the whole idea of singing crystal. I agree with McCaffrey that Killashandra was wasted on a brand of butter. I think I've seen Ballybran in the night sky before. And Helva, the ship who sang. I never knew where McCaffrey's books would take me, but I always knew wherever I went, adventure and characters who leaped off the pages and into my heart, was sure to follow.
There are really few female science-fiction/fantasy authors who mattered when I was growing up in my book: Octavia Butler for so many reasons, Marion Zimmer Bradley for others. Ursula LeGuin, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Andre Norton, and of course, Anne McCaffrey. They spoke to the geek girl who wanted adventure, not boys and a white picket fence.
Therefore, it was so awesome to read how so many people were inspired not just by Pern, but by the woman herself. And the fact that she was so accessible--a rarity in this day and age. I remember my friend Kara told me that she went to Anne McCaffrey's house in Ireland and had tea with the woman. My mouth dropped, but having read this wonderful tribute, I can only wish I'd done the same. Oh, the conversations she and I could have had. What an amazing woman and how she's so very missed.
The Pern books will always hold a special place in my heart. Dog-eared and very much loved. Dragonwriter is for the fans, we who can see ourselves within every essay. And who knows, I may yet find that bronze fire lizard, and when I do, I will name him Robinton.
Unlike typical romance heroines who were always perfect, always beautiful and often stuck on stupid, Menolly was self-sufficient and not scared to be smart. She wasn't about her looks but her brains. I've come across some readers who, in trying to be oh-so "edgy" have accused McCaffrey of writing Menolly as a "Mary Sue". Sorry, but unlike the obvious Mary Sue-edness of Bella Swann, Menolly wasn't perfect. In fact, I've found her to be rather socially inept when it comes to basic human interactions. She has a hard time making female friends, but no wonder. Like myself, she grew up wanting to do "what the boys did". For her it was being a harper. For me it was jumping over garbage cans a la Evel Kneivel and reading science-fiction. I didn't have girl friends with these sorts of hobbies. And the few female friends she does make--namely with Mirrim (whom I have always been a fan of)--are cut from that same cloth.
Once I discovered there was more Pern, then there was Lessa--prickly but strong and a wonderful leader. Lessa wasn't warm and fuzzy and her first mating flight with Ramoth was so far and away not the hearts and flowers type of intimate scene, and yet it made perfect sense for it not to be. And yet for some reason, I always got a nice tingle down below reading it. My guess is the idea of being mentally overwhelmed by the sheer lust of the dragon, which is still an animal. I wondered then, even at that age, whether animals had the right of it. Sex without all the human rules. Though I have, over the years, have had serious issues with McCaffrey's handling of Kylara. Not that I liked the bitch, but her sexuality should have been separate from her other bad behaviors as Weyrwoman. I've often viewed the Brekke/Kylara arc as a weird Madonna/Whore dichtomy (though I love Brekke and F'nor and it would have been all kinds of AWESOME had Canth flown Wirenth).
Oh Anne McCaffrey, how your world of Pern changed my life for the better. My first love was Lord Jaxom (he even figured prominently in my first book written in high school--The Time Ghost and Saren). Then I fell for the steadfast yet easygoing F'nor. But I will always love Masterharper Robinton and I bawled like a baby at his passing. I sighed with fangirlish happiness when Menolly and Sebell got together (no surprise there really), courtesy of the mating of their fire lizards.
Then I met Killashandra Ree and the whole idea of singing crystal. I agree with McCaffrey that Killashandra was wasted on a brand of butter. I think I've seen Ballybran in the night sky before. And Helva, the ship who sang. I never knew where McCaffrey's books would take me, but I always knew wherever I went, adventure and characters who leaped off the pages and into my heart, was sure to follow.
There are really few female science-fiction/fantasy authors who mattered when I was growing up in my book: Octavia Butler for so many reasons, Marion Zimmer Bradley for others. Ursula LeGuin, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Andre Norton, and of course, Anne McCaffrey. They spoke to the geek girl who wanted adventure, not boys and a white picket fence.
Therefore, it was so awesome to read how so many people were inspired not just by Pern, but by the woman herself. And the fact that she was so accessible--a rarity in this day and age. I remember my friend Kara told me that she went to Anne McCaffrey's house in Ireland and had tea with the woman. My mouth dropped, but having read this wonderful tribute, I can only wish I'd done the same. Oh, the conversations she and I could have had. What an amazing woman and how she's so very missed.
The Pern books will always hold a special place in my heart. Dog-eared and very much loved. Dragonwriter is for the fans, we who can see ourselves within every essay. And who knows, I may yet find that bronze fire lizard, and when I do, I will name him Robinton.
August 14, 2015
Fans of Anne McCaffrey won't be surprised by much of the basic content, but it is incredibly touching to see how many lives she changed, how many people she reached, mentored, encouraged or mothered.
This is Anne McCaffrey as seen through their eyes: her generosity of spirit, her connection to her fans, her indomitable character that kept them (literally) dodging out of the way, and most of all, the way she will never be forgotten.
This is Anne McCaffrey as seen through their eyes: her generosity of spirit, her connection to her fans, her indomitable character that kept them (literally) dodging out of the way, and most of all, the way she will never be forgotten.
August 11, 2013
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Like millions of readers across this planet, I fell in love with Anne McCaffrey's Pernese dragons (and wanted my own, of course). I also loved Helva and the brainships, Killashandra Ree, The Rowan - ALL her heroines were smart, strong women - even the baddies like Kylara were interesting. (Blogged about her heroines here: http://bit.ly/1cqI7D8) I cried buckets when Anne went between.
So I expected to love this collection of essays by people who knew her, from co-writers Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, Jody Lynn Nye, and Mercedes Lackey, people who knew her from Dragon*Con, her main cover artist Michael Whelan, famous writer-friends like David Gerrold and Lois McMaster Bujold, and Anne's children.
I found Angelina Adams' Changes without Notice, David Gerrold's How the Dragonlady Saved My Life, Robert Neilson's Bookends, Georgeanne Kennedy's Universal Mum, and Todd McCaffrey's Afterword particulary moving and poignant. I loved the stories of Anne McCaffrey as secretary for the SFWA with her mimeograph machine, as a matchmaker, as a hostess whose door and heart was always open, as a speed-demon at conferences with her electric scooter.
The choice of subjects was comprehensive, clearly meant to cover the multiple aspects of Ms. McCaffrey's life, from writing to fandom to motherhood to religion to horses to music. And yet, several of the essays seemed to be a lot more about the writer and his/her interests than about Anne McCaffrey. While I don't know how much editing any of the essays received, the bragging-on-self or long wandering ones could have used more.
Anne McCaffrey was an amazing person, and it was fascinating to get a "dragon's eye view" of her, from so many people who knew her well.
Like millions of readers across this planet, I fell in love with Anne McCaffrey's Pernese dragons (and wanted my own, of course). I also loved Helva and the brainships, Killashandra Ree, The Rowan - ALL her heroines were smart, strong women - even the baddies like Kylara were interesting. (Blogged about her heroines here: http://bit.ly/1cqI7D8) I cried buckets when Anne went between.
So I expected to love this collection of essays by people who knew her, from co-writers Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, Jody Lynn Nye, and Mercedes Lackey, people who knew her from Dragon*Con, her main cover artist Michael Whelan, famous writer-friends like David Gerrold and Lois McMaster Bujold, and Anne's children.
I found Angelina Adams' Changes without Notice, David Gerrold's How the Dragonlady Saved My Life, Robert Neilson's Bookends, Georgeanne Kennedy's Universal Mum, and Todd McCaffrey's Afterword particulary moving and poignant. I loved the stories of Anne McCaffrey as secretary for the SFWA with her mimeograph machine, as a matchmaker, as a hostess whose door and heart was always open, as a speed-demon at conferences with her electric scooter.
The choice of subjects was comprehensive, clearly meant to cover the multiple aspects of Ms. McCaffrey's life, from writing to fandom to motherhood to religion to horses to music. And yet, several of the essays seemed to be a lot more about the writer and his/her interests than about Anne McCaffrey. While I don't know how much editing any of the essays received, the bragging-on-self or long wandering ones could have used more.
Anne McCaffrey was an amazing person, and it was fascinating to get a "dragon's eye view" of her, from so many people who knew her well.
July 18, 2013
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
I have loved Anne McCaffrey since the late 1970's when I first read her book Dragon Singer. I was hooked and, after reluctantly returning my copy to the library, I went out and bought everything I could from her. I continued my love affair with this brilliant writer until the day she died. So as you can imagine I couldn't resist reading this book telling me stories about her from people who REALLY knew her. It was poignant and informative and is a truly wonderful tribute to a truly wonderful woman.
August 8, 2013
The death of Anne McCaffrey in November 2011 was much mourned by many in the SF/Fantasy community. Her presence in the SF field was a major one, with over 46 years of professional publishing and well over 50 novels (although most in her later years were collaborations). Her most famous series was the Dragonriders of Pern series, with over twenty books that were SF novels but with Fantasy trappings, with telepathic ‘dragons’ (genetically adapted animals) and medieval-esque Halls in a feudal society known as ‘Weyrs’. In 1978 one of these Pern novels, The White Dragon, reached number 6 in the New York Times list, a rare event in the 1970’s and a spur for many other writers.
As the sub-title suggests, Dragonwriter is a biographical tribute to Anne. It contains essays from many of those who knew her personally and worked professionally with Anne. These include David Brin, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Wen Spencer, David Gerrold, Elizabeth Moon, Lois McMaster Bujold, Mercedes Lackey, Jody Lynn Nye, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, artist Michael Whelan, songwriter Janis Ian and her children Todd and Georgeanne (Gigi) McCaffrey.
It is undeniable that Anne’s position in the genre is important. A New York Times Bestseller, and winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, not to mention the beneficiary of the title of Grand Master in 2005, her presence at conventions and her straightforward writing prose made her known by many. Anne’s popularity may perhaps be summarised as the following statement, quoted from Bill Fawcett’s essay: “Anne’s stories give the ordinary person a chance to become great.” As Todd reminds us in his Afterword, his mother’s books ‘had flown on the space shuttle and floated in orbit on the International Space Station’.
McCaffrey tales are often ones where the relationships between the characters are primary, whether the characters are human or dragon. She was a writer not afraid to write about relationships or sex, and her books are seminal examples of what we now see as ‘soft-SF’, dealing with relationships and personal issues rather than the previously more typical Hard SF, with its (usually) male-scientist, can-do-anything type of role. Anne’s female characters are strong-willed and very different from the women-as-victim stereotype often seen in SF’s early days. The societies are cooperative and designed for the good of the Hold rather than individual gain – something which no doubt also made the stories popular.
As a woman in a predominantly male-written genre, Anne made her presence known both independently and as a mentor to encourage many more new writers. Elizabeth Moon, Jody Lynn Nye, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, Margaret Ball and her son Todd McCaffrey (the editor of this book) have all benefited from her guidance. Most of these writers who collaborated with Anne or have something to say about her here share that McCaffrey writing style of combining warmth and comfortable homeliness, even when the events are tiring and difficult. Life on Pern can be hard.
Anne’s own interests are peppered through the book: her love of horses, her singing and poetry.
The essays themselves are varied, yet generally entertaining. Many of the essays deal with Anne’s relationships with other writers. David Brin explained anecdotally Anne’s insistence on the Pern books being science-fiction, not fantasy, with great humour and aplomb. Lois McMaster Bujold writes about how finding The Ship Who Sang short story encouraged her to write further and how Anne became a role model before nearly becoming a junior co-writer on Anne’s Planet Pirates series. Robin Roberts, author of Anne McCaffrey: A Life with Dragons, explains Anne’s literary value to the science fiction field and about Anne as a catalyst for other writers. Elizabeth Moon tells of the enthusiasm Anne had for writing and collaborating with others and the importance of one of Anne’s most famous characters to her. Mercedes Lackey writes of the importance of The Ship Who Sang in the SF of the 1960’s. Wen Spencer writes a heartfelt account of how her love of Pern led to the world of fan-fiction and communities known as Weyrgroups and eventually under Anne’s tutelage, award-winning fiction. Wen also encapsulates the society of Anne’s world, summarising the key aspects of the series from a writer’s point of view which is very interesting. Jody Lynn Nye and Bill Fawcett write of ‘The McCaffrey Effect’: the international fandom community that was created around Anne’s work and how she contributed to that. Richard J Woods, a family friend and religious studies professor, writes of the importance of religion to Anne, a lapsed Catholic, even when it was not always explicit in Pern (and deliberately so.) Elizabeth Ann Scarborough tells of the importance of music in Anne’s life: firstly as a trainee singer and piano player, but then as a fan of opera and other music. This did filter into Anne’s writing, as in The Ship Who Sang and the Crystal Singer books. Michael Whelan tells of his working relationship with Anne and includes some lovely preliminary concept sketches for the Pern books which will be appreciated by many a fan.
As the book continues there are many anecdotes that are more personal and are about the person rather than the writer. David Gerrold writes of how his friendship with Anne was important to him. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro writes of her rapport with Anne, based upon their love of opera and horses. Janis Ian writes of her friendship with Anne, and how they maintained it by email whilst Janis was on tour until Anne was admitted into hospital. Members of Anne’s fan base write of how they first discovered Anne and what made her writing and her so special to them. The heartfelt tale of Angelina Adams (Changes Without Notice) is very moving, telling of how much The Ship Who Sang meant to her at the birth of At an even more intimate level, in turn her sons and daughter Alec, Todd and Gigi tell the reader of ‘Mom’, the person away from the writer. Alec writes of Mom’s support in his activism, Todd about her last days and wake, Gigi of her life with a bouncy, enthusiastic ‘Universal Mum’ until her less mobile last days.
It is difficult to coolly criticise such a clearly emotional and honest collection of essays. Such a book is not going to focus on the negatives of a writer, although there are some mentioned here: that is not its point. What Dragonwriter does do, and do well, is tell us of a generous, friendly, warm-hearted extrovert by relating fond memories of her and the importance of her writing. Whilst the inner critic rails a little here, and I can quibble that it would have been nice to see some actual examples from Anne’s body of work alongside the comments, for fans of Anne’s books, Dragonwriter gives the reader a fuller, better picture of Anne and her writing that you wouldn’t get by just reading the fiction alone.
It is clearly a book for Pern fans, and there is much they will enjoy here. However if an author ever needs to understand how important their work can be for others, of the power of their writing and the effect their writing can have on readers, then this book is a prime example that shows how readers can take something to their heart.
And therefore its purpose is done.
As the sub-title suggests, Dragonwriter is a biographical tribute to Anne. It contains essays from many of those who knew her personally and worked professionally with Anne. These include David Brin, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Wen Spencer, David Gerrold, Elizabeth Moon, Lois McMaster Bujold, Mercedes Lackey, Jody Lynn Nye, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, artist Michael Whelan, songwriter Janis Ian and her children Todd and Georgeanne (Gigi) McCaffrey.
It is undeniable that Anne’s position in the genre is important. A New York Times Bestseller, and winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, not to mention the beneficiary of the title of Grand Master in 2005, her presence at conventions and her straightforward writing prose made her known by many. Anne’s popularity may perhaps be summarised as the following statement, quoted from Bill Fawcett’s essay: “Anne’s stories give the ordinary person a chance to become great.” As Todd reminds us in his Afterword, his mother’s books ‘had flown on the space shuttle and floated in orbit on the International Space Station’.
McCaffrey tales are often ones where the relationships between the characters are primary, whether the characters are human or dragon. She was a writer not afraid to write about relationships or sex, and her books are seminal examples of what we now see as ‘soft-SF’, dealing with relationships and personal issues rather than the previously more typical Hard SF, with its (usually) male-scientist, can-do-anything type of role. Anne’s female characters are strong-willed and very different from the women-as-victim stereotype often seen in SF’s early days. The societies are cooperative and designed for the good of the Hold rather than individual gain – something which no doubt also made the stories popular.
As a woman in a predominantly male-written genre, Anne made her presence known both independently and as a mentor to encourage many more new writers. Elizabeth Moon, Jody Lynn Nye, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, Margaret Ball and her son Todd McCaffrey (the editor of this book) have all benefited from her guidance. Most of these writers who collaborated with Anne or have something to say about her here share that McCaffrey writing style of combining warmth and comfortable homeliness, even when the events are tiring and difficult. Life on Pern can be hard.
Anne’s own interests are peppered through the book: her love of horses, her singing and poetry.
The essays themselves are varied, yet generally entertaining. Many of the essays deal with Anne’s relationships with other writers. David Brin explained anecdotally Anne’s insistence on the Pern books being science-fiction, not fantasy, with great humour and aplomb. Lois McMaster Bujold writes about how finding The Ship Who Sang short story encouraged her to write further and how Anne became a role model before nearly becoming a junior co-writer on Anne’s Planet Pirates series. Robin Roberts, author of Anne McCaffrey: A Life with Dragons, explains Anne’s literary value to the science fiction field and about Anne as a catalyst for other writers. Elizabeth Moon tells of the enthusiasm Anne had for writing and collaborating with others and the importance of one of Anne’s most famous characters to her. Mercedes Lackey writes of the importance of The Ship Who Sang in the SF of the 1960’s. Wen Spencer writes a heartfelt account of how her love of Pern led to the world of fan-fiction and communities known as Weyrgroups and eventually under Anne’s tutelage, award-winning fiction. Wen also encapsulates the society of Anne’s world, summarising the key aspects of the series from a writer’s point of view which is very interesting. Jody Lynn Nye and Bill Fawcett write of ‘The McCaffrey Effect’: the international fandom community that was created around Anne’s work and how she contributed to that. Richard J Woods, a family friend and religious studies professor, writes of the importance of religion to Anne, a lapsed Catholic, even when it was not always explicit in Pern (and deliberately so.) Elizabeth Ann Scarborough tells of the importance of music in Anne’s life: firstly as a trainee singer and piano player, but then as a fan of opera and other music. This did filter into Anne’s writing, as in The Ship Who Sang and the Crystal Singer books. Michael Whelan tells of his working relationship with Anne and includes some lovely preliminary concept sketches for the Pern books which will be appreciated by many a fan.
As the book continues there are many anecdotes that are more personal and are about the person rather than the writer. David Gerrold writes of how his friendship with Anne was important to him. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro writes of her rapport with Anne, based upon their love of opera and horses. Janis Ian writes of her friendship with Anne, and how they maintained it by email whilst Janis was on tour until Anne was admitted into hospital. Members of Anne’s fan base write of how they first discovered Anne and what made her writing and her so special to them. The heartfelt tale of Angelina Adams (Changes Without Notice) is very moving, telling of how much The Ship Who Sang meant to her at the birth of At an even more intimate level, in turn her sons and daughter Alec, Todd and Gigi tell the reader of ‘Mom’, the person away from the writer. Alec writes of Mom’s support in his activism, Todd about her last days and wake, Gigi of her life with a bouncy, enthusiastic ‘Universal Mum’ until her less mobile last days.
It is difficult to coolly criticise such a clearly emotional and honest collection of essays. Such a book is not going to focus on the negatives of a writer, although there are some mentioned here: that is not its point. What Dragonwriter does do, and do well, is tell us of a generous, friendly, warm-hearted extrovert by relating fond memories of her and the importance of her writing. Whilst the inner critic rails a little here, and I can quibble that it would have been nice to see some actual examples from Anne’s body of work alongside the comments, for fans of Anne’s books, Dragonwriter gives the reader a fuller, better picture of Anne and her writing that you wouldn’t get by just reading the fiction alone.
It is clearly a book for Pern fans, and there is much they will enjoy here. However if an author ever needs to understand how important their work can be for others, of the power of their writing and the effect their writing can have on readers, then this book is a prime example that shows how readers can take something to their heart.
And therefore its purpose is done.
October 21, 2013
This was actually quite lovely. They're short essays from a variety of people who knew Anne through their work or personal life, friends all in the end, that show the deep impact she had not only on them but on millions of others as well. It's a tribute, not a biography. There are some facts, occasionally a bit jumbled, but it's really about how much Anne's work meant to people, and even more, how much she herself meant to people. It's was a better read than I expected, often quite moving, occasionally funny, generally entertaining for McCaffrey fans. I'll only make a few special comments below.
Lee and Miller - At '78 BaltiCon Anne was the Guest of Honor but she typed all of the pre-registration name tags after a snafu caused them to be missing just to help out, and because she was bored. Then as on-site registration continued later, there she was behind the table still typing name tags for the new arrivals, most of who assumed she was just another fan making them welcome at the con. She was just too cool for words.
Bob Neilson's essay was very personal and endearing.
Robin Roberts said that there was a romantic and sexual relationship between a male rider and a male healer in one of the books - can someone remind me of that? I don't remember a healer character in any of Anne's books other than Master Oldive. Maybe it was in Moreta, I didn't read it more than once because it was sad.
Wen Spencer made me glad I never got into fanfic. She had to be vetted for an online role-playing club when she applied to be an apprentice beast-herder. She was interviewed to see if she had enough real-world knowledge of animals to be part of their club and although as a farm kid she knew more than them, she was then only allowed to be an apprentice by the "master" who interviewed her. That's fun? Sounds like another chance to feel either excluded or superior to me, not what I imagined the Pern groups to be about. But I guess there were/are tons of them. Most of her essay and the other essays emphasized how inclusionary the fan community was/is. It sounds like a lot of work to me in any case.
Michael Whelan's chapter was great, I'd love to see a whole book full of his art. Turns out I can. His website is fabulous, full of amazing covers of book that I've loved for years and own many, many of and had no idea that he did, and tons of stunning personal art. And he also has a book that he's selling for way more than I could ever afford, but I was able to reserve from the library.
I cracked up at Charlotte Moore's story about how she wrote a fan message to Anne when she was 15 while she was attending Anne's alma matter and Anne checked her out with the alumnae director before she wrote back. She wrote some nice things about how no one gets far in life without working hard, "So STUDY, twithead!"
Janis Ian's essay was lovely and personal too. Many of the people in the book bonded with Anne over music and other arts such as animal husbandry. She was so generous with her passions and with her time.
What's most amazing reading this is that this is only a tiny representation of the people Anne corresponded with and kept up with over the years. How she managed to find the time to write any books while being such a dear friend to so many people is just remarkable.
It's a tribute, not a biography. We do get some understanding of Anne and her children's lives, but it's in broad strokes. There is some analysis of Pern and a few other books, but it's more focused on what the books and woman have meant to specific people and to the world. Some of the stories are extremely moving. It was hard for this fan not to relate to pieces of many of the stories. And certainly to admire the Dragonwriter and her generous spirit and loving nature even more after reading these tributes.
Lee and Miller - At '78 BaltiCon Anne was the Guest of Honor but she typed all of the pre-registration name tags after a snafu caused them to be missing just to help out, and because she was bored. Then as on-site registration continued later, there she was behind the table still typing name tags for the new arrivals, most of who assumed she was just another fan making them welcome at the con. She was just too cool for words.
Bob Neilson's essay was very personal and endearing.
Robin Roberts said that there was a romantic and sexual relationship between a male rider and a male healer in one of the books - can someone remind me of that? I don't remember a healer character in any of Anne's books other than Master Oldive. Maybe it was in Moreta, I didn't read it more than once because it was sad.
Wen Spencer made me glad I never got into fanfic. She had to be vetted for an online role-playing club when she applied to be an apprentice beast-herder. She was interviewed to see if she had enough real-world knowledge of animals to be part of their club and although as a farm kid she knew more than them, she was then only allowed to be an apprentice by the "master" who interviewed her. That's fun? Sounds like another chance to feel either excluded or superior to me, not what I imagined the Pern groups to be about. But I guess there were/are tons of them. Most of her essay and the other essays emphasized how inclusionary the fan community was/is. It sounds like a lot of work to me in any case.
Michael Whelan's chapter was great, I'd love to see a whole book full of his art. Turns out I can. His website is fabulous, full of amazing covers of book that I've loved for years and own many, many of and had no idea that he did, and tons of stunning personal art. And he also has a book that he's selling for way more than I could ever afford, but I was able to reserve from the library.
I cracked up at Charlotte Moore's story about how she wrote a fan message to Anne when she was 15 while she was attending Anne's alma matter and Anne checked her out with the alumnae director before she wrote back. She wrote some nice things about how no one gets far in life without working hard, "So STUDY, twithead!"
Janis Ian's essay was lovely and personal too. Many of the people in the book bonded with Anne over music and other arts such as animal husbandry. She was so generous with her passions and with her time.
What's most amazing reading this is that this is only a tiny representation of the people Anne corresponded with and kept up with over the years. How she managed to find the time to write any books while being such a dear friend to so many people is just remarkable.
It's a tribute, not a biography. We do get some understanding of Anne and her children's lives, but it's in broad strokes. There is some analysis of Pern and a few other books, but it's more focused on what the books and woman have meant to specific people and to the world. Some of the stories are extremely moving. It was hard for this fan not to relate to pieces of many of the stories. And certainly to admire the Dragonwriter and her generous spirit and loving nature even more after reading these tributes.
July 31, 2013
Disclamer: I received a review copy through netgalley.com.
I first stumbled on Anne McCaffery's Pern series in the 8th grade. I had fallen in love with dragons and vowed to read anything that contained dragons between the covers. Enter the Dragon Riders of Pern. I loved the series, the way the dragons bonded with their riders and fought against a common goal. I loved the fire lizards with their antics. And I loved the world McCaffery wrote.
A few months ago, while at Baycon, I met Todd McCaffery and he told me about this anthology. He loved his mother and wanted to share his memories of his mother with the world. So what better way to do it with an anthology. This anthology is not like anything you've ever read. It's not filled with short stories that thank the Dragonlady and the worlds she created. No it's a posthumous toast to the woman, the mother, and the writer that we all loved.
McCaffery starts each essay with a poignant memory of his mother and the people she called friend. This is then followed by an essay from writers, editors, or artists that bonded with Anne. It's a genuine heartfelt outpouring of love for the woman who wrote about dragons in a science fiction setting.
Other reviews have said that the essays sort of blend into one another after awhile. I have to agree with this, for there's only so much toasting one can take in a single setting. However, this book is great for those who want to know the author as a person better. It's inherent that Anne McCaffery loved people as much as her craft and her beloved Ireland. The only thing I'm disappointed is that I never got the opportunity to meet this author.
I first stumbled on Anne McCaffery's Pern series in the 8th grade. I had fallen in love with dragons and vowed to read anything that contained dragons between the covers. Enter the Dragon Riders of Pern. I loved the series, the way the dragons bonded with their riders and fought against a common goal. I loved the fire lizards with their antics. And I loved the world McCaffery wrote.
A few months ago, while at Baycon, I met Todd McCaffery and he told me about this anthology. He loved his mother and wanted to share his memories of his mother with the world. So what better way to do it with an anthology. This anthology is not like anything you've ever read. It's not filled with short stories that thank the Dragonlady and the worlds she created. No it's a posthumous toast to the woman, the mother, and the writer that we all loved.
McCaffery starts each essay with a poignant memory of his mother and the people she called friend. This is then followed by an essay from writers, editors, or artists that bonded with Anne. It's a genuine heartfelt outpouring of love for the woman who wrote about dragons in a science fiction setting.
Other reviews have said that the essays sort of blend into one another after awhile. I have to agree with this, for there's only so much toasting one can take in a single setting. However, this book is great for those who want to know the author as a person better. It's inherent that Anne McCaffery loved people as much as her craft and her beloved Ireland. The only thing I'm disappointed is that I never got the opportunity to meet this author.
November 26, 2013
I wrapped myself around this book in a Barnes and Noble recently and read it cover to cover.
It summed up everything I knew about Anne McCaffrey and allowed me to tell her goodbye.
And it did one other thing.
It confirmed to me that the real writer in her genes was passed on to her daughter. Fluid, well-written and amazing, I could only hope that one day "Gigi" will find her DragonVoice and write the stories that her brother cannot. His short style, his lack of depth, they lend themselves to other genres, to other writing but they are so childish without being the simple that was always found in the world of PERN and I don't think he understands the difference.
I find myself moving back and away from even his final afterword in this book, telling my husband as I lean across my chair..."his mom died and he STILL can't write something decent? Read this...he refers to his kid and the situation without the emotional breadth that his mom could write into anything."
Letting go of Anne is so hard, knowing there will never be another Dragon novel. Knowing that the last few were so badly done that I am able to let go and simply walk away and how they tarnish her legacy.
I feel that in reading this...I am able to see her back through those eyes of a reader's love, the reflection of writers surrounding her in love and letting go of her as well.
Farewell, Anne. Thanks for the stories.
It summed up everything I knew about Anne McCaffrey and allowed me to tell her goodbye.
And it did one other thing.
It confirmed to me that the real writer in her genes was passed on to her daughter. Fluid, well-written and amazing, I could only hope that one day "Gigi" will find her DragonVoice and write the stories that her brother cannot. His short style, his lack of depth, they lend themselves to other genres, to other writing but they are so childish without being the simple that was always found in the world of PERN and I don't think he understands the difference.
I find myself moving back and away from even his final afterword in this book, telling my husband as I lean across my chair..."his mom died and he STILL can't write something decent? Read this...he refers to his kid and the situation without the emotional breadth that his mom could write into anything."
Letting go of Anne is so hard, knowing there will never be another Dragon novel. Knowing that the last few were so badly done that I am able to let go and simply walk away and how they tarnish her legacy.
I feel that in reading this...I am able to see her back through those eyes of a reader's love, the reflection of writers surrounding her in love and letting go of her as well.
Farewell, Anne. Thanks for the stories.
July 23, 2013
Great essays on Anne McCaffrey. This really goes all over the spectrum from pure emotional response to how her stories impacted lives, to personal biographical work that makes you feel like you were there firsthand. Recommended for anyone who has an interest in her or her work.
March 1, 2015
Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern
McCaffrey, Todd J.
From the moment I heard of her death I have mourned Anne Mccaffrey, knowing that I will not have the anticipation of another book to lighten my holidays and birthdays. Her books have been my reward and my pleasure for so many years. Her writing has brought me through tragedy, and pain, loneliness and heartache. And it’s hard to be in a world without another of her books to find the excitement and depth. I have seen the pictures of her words like movie screens of life, that would have the depth and breadth that I could never forget. I close my eyes and see Menolly running from the thread, in Dragonsong, the first book of hers that I had ever read, in some ways more treasured because the character had a way of escaping the life she did not want to lead. I can do the same thing with nearly all of her books. How interesting to find that A Stitch in the Snow, or The Freedom Series both start in my home town. I want to still see the Ireland of The Lady, and the rolling countryside of the landscape. I have named my pets, and my cars for characters in her books, because of their similar nature or personality.
Introduction:
Todd McCaffrey
With reluctance and eager pride I have waited for this book to come out. Having read through Todd's introduction i have found out information i wondered about but had no need of knowing. Anne McCaffrey can lead her life in what ever manner, just that she continue to write her stories i would be complete with each new one.
Anne McCaffrey, Believer in Us
David Brin talks of the depth of her writing the history of her stories showing us the struggles of our world to rise from the Dark Ages to the enlightenment.
Why are you reading this stupid shirt?
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller tell a story of personal experience of the quark and lovable nature of Anne McCaffrey, of her support, intelligence and strong nature. I laughed out-loud at her trundling around on a scooter,her influence on publishers, and writers. And her caring that she showed these two writers in re-birthing their series, and books.I am envious of the attention and appreciation they had and received from her. Most of all the since of humor, that gave Piemur his his personality, and Robinton all the characteristics that made him the MasterHarper of Pern...
Star power:
John Goodwin talks of Anne McCaffry and her support of new writers, starting in 1986 when she sponcered The Writers of the future program, and the enforcement of female judges. Her joy of being able to preform during events at Dragoncon and other indications of her achieving her dreams that she had given up so long ago.
How the Dragonlady saved my Life
David Gerrold is hilarious with his glasses or water. But the description of his friendship and mutual support he received from Anne McCaffrey will send you into giggles while you are commiserating with him and the difficult times he had that Anne was forced to save his life, even though it did not inspire his writing, but healed his spirit instead.
Bookends
Robert Neilson
A close family friend and fan talks about the kindness and fame of his friends mom. He gives antidotes of teenage impressions and the regretful goodbye of a dear and pivotal friendsgip.
Lessons from Lessa
Elizabeth Moon had grown up with the characters of the worlds of Anne McCaffrey. And as an enviable and collaborative artist help build one of the predominate thematic series that Anne was known for. I envy her luck talent and twenty plus year friendship with our mutually idealized role model.
Flying in New Directions
Robin Roberts' award winning biography of Anne McCaffrey has shown a woman who wrote science fiction and changed the genre. She took the traditional roles and placed them on their heads making the genre better and more popular then ever. But it wasn't just changing things it was creating a cooperative world(s) which she shared with other writers which maybe her legacy. I hope so too... I want to see more books by Todd, Rose or other authors who have worked with her... Yes, tell each of them this fan would be willing to allow them to expand and change Anne McCaffrey' s worlds just to keep escaping into them.... Anne McCaffrey has given me so much in the past two years I have missed her... Yes Todd I have read all your digital books. As I have bought and treasured book written by other contributors on their own worlds...
Modeling the writer's life
Lois McMaster Bujold tells how role models can give the best inspiration. From childhood Lois has heard of or read Anne McCaffrey's books. She sees her as a model for young girls, writers, and women. Her triumphs well earned and lovingly greeted. Her abilities well shown and well lived. And her home office the envy of writers. I asked a friend if he had a chance on his trip to Ireland to just take a pic of the house or area.. not to bother her but I wanted to see Dragons hold... he couldn't find it.. so he brought back a license plate for the area... It is great part in this story to her how her home was...
All the Weyrs of Pern
Wen Spencer is a writer coming from a different perspective. Wen wrote fanfiction of Pern, and her involvement of the fan club not only taught her how to write but supported her learning ability until she was able to produce her own first published novel.
The McCaffrey effect
Jody Lynn Nye, and Bill Fawcett talk about the society with in Anne McCaffrey' s books and how fans found acceptance with in her stories and the fan groups. Whether its fan fiction, gatherings or just websites for fans
The ships that were
Mercedes Lackey tells the story of her involvement and development in the first dystopian series of Anne McCaffrey how ground breaking the ship who sang was. How in those pages how she removed obstacles for her characters from technology and society. I never considered the story to have been written before the development of PC's or home computers when i read the book in the 90'S I just thought it was a wonderful concept. I noticed the problem of forced indentured service but I was so involved with the characters I figure Helva and the other brainships would win out. This essay opened my eyes to how dynamic and broad reaching the story was. I have read and treasured the Brainship series over half of them are in hard back, and written by other authors but still remain predominately with my collection of Anne McCaffrey books.
The Dragonlady's Songs
Elizabeth Ann Scarborough speaks of anne McCaffrey and her sue of music, bards, and harpers. within her various books Elizabeth Scarborough looks at how the idea of using music as a memory for an illiterate society.
Religion on Pern?
Richard J Woods relates the history and stories of Anne Mccaffrey in a religious nature. Referred to as the weyr chaplain, he had many discussions and interchanges over the years about religion, Pern, beliefs and nature. The biggest surprise was a final book, hopefully to be published...(Please Todd, Alec or Georgeanne, Rose...) I found that she was as I am in her beliefs...
Annie and horses
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro is a close friend, fellow writer, and horse lover. She speaks about horses, and Dragons.
Picturing Pern
Michael Whelan's art work is why i bought the copy of this book when I saw it in the store. Looking at his pictures i realized how much his concepts affected my perception of dragons in the stories.
Red Star Rising
Alec Johnson is Anne McCaffrey' s oldest son, and a modern day activist. He enjoyed his mothers continued support from his early teens and on. Anne McCaffrey gave him all she could, first allowing him use of her memo machine, to funding his second start at college.
Changes without Notice
Angelina Adams' story shows the dynamic nature of Anne Mccaffrey's writing and how as a fan you will find yourself transported by her stories. And sometimes the stories find you at the right time in your life. this story is about a mother who found inspiration in the ship who sang, and the con, weyr sites who gave her focus and purpose.
I unfortunately never met this Lady who was in my life since I was Thirteen. I was given DragonSong by my middle school teacher after I had a fire in my house to read. It changed many things suddenly in my life as I found each book. Going to the bookstore now includes a run through her titles to make sure I haven't missed one... I always had to wait a year for the new books never willing to ask my parents for the money to get the hard backs. Even though they insisted on my birthday or Christmas for me too see if there was a new one to get. My husband rewarded me with hard backs for the last fifteen years saying it was silly to wait if i wanted the book so much. My family for years without ever reading the books paid attention to the new books coming out because of how happy I was to lose myself in the pages. I got to thank her in an Email one time When Alec was running her website. I have kept the reply that she understood how she inspired me, strenghthed me, or just comforted me with her stories. It seems she was universal in that.
The Twithead with the Dragon Tattoo
Charlotte Moore as a child was inspired by Pern, but even a letter from Anne Mccaffrey could not focus her daydreaming mind. She even ran head long into Anne Mccaffrey. But it was the fansites, and the Weyr cons that inspired her.
The Master Harper is Gone
Janis Ian and Anne Mccaffrey were connected through music and stories. She is the voice of Menolly, the old friend that helped through the tough times. The confident and the cheering squad... Its sad that Janis is alone, but heaven sent that she was there. Thank you for encouraging Anne to have Todd help with the writing. Thank you for all the comfort you gave.
Universal Mum
Georgeanne Kennedy learned early that her mum was exceptional, but it did not sink in for many years. She marveled at how people could open up to her mum. But when asked how it was to be raised by Anne McCaffrey, Gigi, could not help but think it was normal. She speaks of the changing roles as from daughter to care taker, the toll on life and patience to see someone loose capacity to things that was easy before. She spoke of letting go, and the sad moments of reality that come from the processes, and the hope that the happy memories come back.
Afterward
Todd Mccaffrey after the intro and the many descriptions of friends and loved ones, Todd Finally tells of his goodbye, and the moment of No Regrets, and “I’ll try”.
This is a beautiful book, that like all her books, makes you laugh one moment and cry the next A fitting tribute to the bard, and story teller of my life.
McCaffrey, Todd J.
From the moment I heard of her death I have mourned Anne Mccaffrey, knowing that I will not have the anticipation of another book to lighten my holidays and birthdays. Her books have been my reward and my pleasure for so many years. Her writing has brought me through tragedy, and pain, loneliness and heartache. And it’s hard to be in a world without another of her books to find the excitement and depth. I have seen the pictures of her words like movie screens of life, that would have the depth and breadth that I could never forget. I close my eyes and see Menolly running from the thread, in Dragonsong, the first book of hers that I had ever read, in some ways more treasured because the character had a way of escaping the life she did not want to lead. I can do the same thing with nearly all of her books. How interesting to find that A Stitch in the Snow, or The Freedom Series both start in my home town. I want to still see the Ireland of The Lady, and the rolling countryside of the landscape. I have named my pets, and my cars for characters in her books, because of their similar nature or personality.
Introduction:
Todd McCaffrey
With reluctance and eager pride I have waited for this book to come out. Having read through Todd's introduction i have found out information i wondered about but had no need of knowing. Anne McCaffrey can lead her life in what ever manner, just that she continue to write her stories i would be complete with each new one.
Anne McCaffrey, Believer in Us
David Brin talks of the depth of her writing the history of her stories showing us the struggles of our world to rise from the Dark Ages to the enlightenment.
Why are you reading this stupid shirt?
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller tell a story of personal experience of the quark and lovable nature of Anne McCaffrey, of her support, intelligence and strong nature. I laughed out-loud at her trundling around on a scooter,her influence on publishers, and writers. And her caring that she showed these two writers in re-birthing their series, and books.I am envious of the attention and appreciation they had and received from her. Most of all the since of humor, that gave Piemur his his personality, and Robinton all the characteristics that made him the MasterHarper of Pern...
Star power:
John Goodwin talks of Anne McCaffry and her support of new writers, starting in 1986 when she sponcered The Writers of the future program, and the enforcement of female judges. Her joy of being able to preform during events at Dragoncon and other indications of her achieving her dreams that she had given up so long ago.
How the Dragonlady saved my Life
David Gerrold is hilarious with his glasses or water. But the description of his friendship and mutual support he received from Anne McCaffrey will send you into giggles while you are commiserating with him and the difficult times he had that Anne was forced to save his life, even though it did not inspire his writing, but healed his spirit instead.
Bookends
Robert Neilson
A close family friend and fan talks about the kindness and fame of his friends mom. He gives antidotes of teenage impressions and the regretful goodbye of a dear and pivotal friendsgip.
Lessons from Lessa
Elizabeth Moon had grown up with the characters of the worlds of Anne McCaffrey. And as an enviable and collaborative artist help build one of the predominate thematic series that Anne was known for. I envy her luck talent and twenty plus year friendship with our mutually idealized role model.
Flying in New Directions
Robin Roberts' award winning biography of Anne McCaffrey has shown a woman who wrote science fiction and changed the genre. She took the traditional roles and placed them on their heads making the genre better and more popular then ever. But it wasn't just changing things it was creating a cooperative world(s) which she shared with other writers which maybe her legacy. I hope so too... I want to see more books by Todd, Rose or other authors who have worked with her... Yes, tell each of them this fan would be willing to allow them to expand and change Anne McCaffrey' s worlds just to keep escaping into them.... Anne McCaffrey has given me so much in the past two years I have missed her... Yes Todd I have read all your digital books. As I have bought and treasured book written by other contributors on their own worlds...
Modeling the writer's life
Lois McMaster Bujold tells how role models can give the best inspiration. From childhood Lois has heard of or read Anne McCaffrey's books. She sees her as a model for young girls, writers, and women. Her triumphs well earned and lovingly greeted. Her abilities well shown and well lived. And her home office the envy of writers. I asked a friend if he had a chance on his trip to Ireland to just take a pic of the house or area.. not to bother her but I wanted to see Dragons hold... he couldn't find it.. so he brought back a license plate for the area... It is great part in this story to her how her home was...
All the Weyrs of Pern
Wen Spencer is a writer coming from a different perspective. Wen wrote fanfiction of Pern, and her involvement of the fan club not only taught her how to write but supported her learning ability until she was able to produce her own first published novel.
The McCaffrey effect
Jody Lynn Nye, and Bill Fawcett talk about the society with in Anne McCaffrey' s books and how fans found acceptance with in her stories and the fan groups. Whether its fan fiction, gatherings or just websites for fans
The ships that were
Mercedes Lackey tells the story of her involvement and development in the first dystopian series of Anne McCaffrey how ground breaking the ship who sang was. How in those pages how she removed obstacles for her characters from technology and society. I never considered the story to have been written before the development of PC's or home computers when i read the book in the 90'S I just thought it was a wonderful concept. I noticed the problem of forced indentured service but I was so involved with the characters I figure Helva and the other brainships would win out. This essay opened my eyes to how dynamic and broad reaching the story was. I have read and treasured the Brainship series over half of them are in hard back, and written by other authors but still remain predominately with my collection of Anne McCaffrey books.
The Dragonlady's Songs
Elizabeth Ann Scarborough speaks of anne McCaffrey and her sue of music, bards, and harpers. within her various books Elizabeth Scarborough looks at how the idea of using music as a memory for an illiterate society.
Religion on Pern?
Richard J Woods relates the history and stories of Anne Mccaffrey in a religious nature. Referred to as the weyr chaplain, he had many discussions and interchanges over the years about religion, Pern, beliefs and nature. The biggest surprise was a final book, hopefully to be published...(Please Todd, Alec or Georgeanne, Rose...) I found that she was as I am in her beliefs...
Annie and horses
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro is a close friend, fellow writer, and horse lover. She speaks about horses, and Dragons.
Picturing Pern
Michael Whelan's art work is why i bought the copy of this book when I saw it in the store. Looking at his pictures i realized how much his concepts affected my perception of dragons in the stories.
Red Star Rising
Alec Johnson is Anne McCaffrey' s oldest son, and a modern day activist. He enjoyed his mothers continued support from his early teens and on. Anne McCaffrey gave him all she could, first allowing him use of her memo machine, to funding his second start at college.
Changes without Notice
Angelina Adams' story shows the dynamic nature of Anne Mccaffrey's writing and how as a fan you will find yourself transported by her stories. And sometimes the stories find you at the right time in your life. this story is about a mother who found inspiration in the ship who sang, and the con, weyr sites who gave her focus and purpose.
I unfortunately never met this Lady who was in my life since I was Thirteen. I was given DragonSong by my middle school teacher after I had a fire in my house to read. It changed many things suddenly in my life as I found each book. Going to the bookstore now includes a run through her titles to make sure I haven't missed one... I always had to wait a year for the new books never willing to ask my parents for the money to get the hard backs. Even though they insisted on my birthday or Christmas for me too see if there was a new one to get. My husband rewarded me with hard backs for the last fifteen years saying it was silly to wait if i wanted the book so much. My family for years without ever reading the books paid attention to the new books coming out because of how happy I was to lose myself in the pages. I got to thank her in an Email one time When Alec was running her website. I have kept the reply that she understood how she inspired me, strenghthed me, or just comforted me with her stories. It seems she was universal in that.
The Twithead with the Dragon Tattoo
Charlotte Moore as a child was inspired by Pern, but even a letter from Anne Mccaffrey could not focus her daydreaming mind. She even ran head long into Anne Mccaffrey. But it was the fansites, and the Weyr cons that inspired her.
The Master Harper is Gone
Janis Ian and Anne Mccaffrey were connected through music and stories. She is the voice of Menolly, the old friend that helped through the tough times. The confident and the cheering squad... Its sad that Janis is alone, but heaven sent that she was there. Thank you for encouraging Anne to have Todd help with the writing. Thank you for all the comfort you gave.
Universal Mum
Georgeanne Kennedy learned early that her mum was exceptional, but it did not sink in for many years. She marveled at how people could open up to her mum. But when asked how it was to be raised by Anne McCaffrey, Gigi, could not help but think it was normal. She speaks of the changing roles as from daughter to care taker, the toll on life and patience to see someone loose capacity to things that was easy before. She spoke of letting go, and the sad moments of reality that come from the processes, and the hope that the happy memories come back.
Afterward
Todd Mccaffrey after the intro and the many descriptions of friends and loved ones, Todd Finally tells of his goodbye, and the moment of No Regrets, and “I’ll try”.
This is a beautiful book, that like all her books, makes you laugh one moment and cry the next A fitting tribute to the bard, and story teller of my life.
October 16, 2017
Read for the Genre Non-Fiction Challenge.
This is a tribute to Anne McCaffrey, author of the Pern series, the Acorna series, the Pegasus series, and the Crystal Singer series, among many others. McCaffrey has long been a personal favourite author of mine. Pern was one of my earliest introductions to science fiction. I saw a lot of myself in the character of Menolly and the impression stayed with me, so I was excited to read this biography, edited by her son and sometime co-writer, and the one to whom she left the legacy of the Pern books.
I was struck by this portrait of a woman and a writer with whom I have much in common. I was also struck with how her stories have touched the lives of so many. This tribute was pieced together by people who knew her personally and professionally, and people who served such roles as organizing her fan club and Dragon*Con, her illustrator, and her co-writers and peers.
I found it moving and engaging. It made me cry a couple of times.
So why did I only give it three stars? I guess it's because the writing styles varied so much that I found it a bit inconsistent, and I thought it was edited in a weird way. The story that I would have put last, the one I would have thought made the deepest impact on the most people, was near to the end but not last, for example.
Definitely worth reading if you want to know about Anne McCaffrey in particular or sci-fi writers in general. Anne McCaffrey was a key figure in the development of modern sci-fi, so it also has historical value.
This is a tribute to Anne McCaffrey, author of the Pern series, the Acorna series, the Pegasus series, and the Crystal Singer series, among many others. McCaffrey has long been a personal favourite author of mine. Pern was one of my earliest introductions to science fiction. I saw a lot of myself in the character of Menolly and the impression stayed with me, so I was excited to read this biography, edited by her son and sometime co-writer, and the one to whom she left the legacy of the Pern books.
I was struck by this portrait of a woman and a writer with whom I have much in common. I was also struck with how her stories have touched the lives of so many. This tribute was pieced together by people who knew her personally and professionally, and people who served such roles as organizing her fan club and Dragon*Con, her illustrator, and her co-writers and peers.
I found it moving and engaging. It made me cry a couple of times.
So why did I only give it three stars? I guess it's because the writing styles varied so much that I found it a bit inconsistent, and I thought it was edited in a weird way. The story that I would have put last, the one I would have thought made the deepest impact on the most people, was near to the end but not last, for example.
Definitely worth reading if you want to know about Anne McCaffrey in particular or sci-fi writers in general. Anne McCaffrey was a key figure in the development of modern sci-fi, so it also has historical value.
August 7, 2022
I loved her before, but now I love her more. I find myself wishing I had been able to travel to Dragonhold Underhill before her passing. There is some small comfort in knowing that she truly is the hero I’ve always believed her to be.
September 2, 2013
Writer Anne McCaffrey was one of the earliest women to publish science fiction under her own name (rather than a male pseudonym or a gender-ambiguous name). She had a great impact on many later writers, both male and female.
I have enjoyed a lot of McCaffrey's work, but she wasn't among my favorite sf/f authors. I was driven to read this when I saw that some of my favorite authors were contributors to this tribute volume (Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Elizabeth Moon, and Lois McMaster Bujold). I found the tributes and recollections to be quite moving and gave me some insights that I hadn't thought of earlier. As a result some of the Pern books will go back on my TBR list for rereading.
The contributions by people involved in Pern fandom were less compelling, because they made it sound as though Anne McCaffrey was the only author who had active fan groups and encouraged her fans to enjoy playing and writing in her universe. I was briefly involved with Deryni fandom (Katherine Kurtz's universe) and found those interactions to be rewarding and supportive. This isn't to downgrade McCaffrey's interaction with her fans, but rather to point out that fans tend to be most sentimental about whatever first got them involved.
Overall, this had a good mix of family recollections, author interaction and discussions of the impact of McCaffrey's writing on science fiction (including fandom) overall.
I have enjoyed a lot of McCaffrey's work, but she wasn't among my favorite sf/f authors. I was driven to read this when I saw that some of my favorite authors were contributors to this tribute volume (Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Elizabeth Moon, and Lois McMaster Bujold). I found the tributes and recollections to be quite moving and gave me some insights that I hadn't thought of earlier. As a result some of the Pern books will go back on my TBR list for rereading.
The contributions by people involved in Pern fandom were less compelling, because they made it sound as though Anne McCaffrey was the only author who had active fan groups and encouraged her fans to enjoy playing and writing in her universe. I was briefly involved with Deryni fandom (Katherine Kurtz's universe) and found those interactions to be rewarding and supportive. This isn't to downgrade McCaffrey's interaction with her fans, but rather to point out that fans tend to be most sentimental about whatever first got them involved.
Overall, this had a good mix of family recollections, author interaction and discussions of the impact of McCaffrey's writing on science fiction (including fandom) overall.
August 17, 2013
First of all, I would like to thank Smart Pop Books for the advanced review copy of “Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern.” This is a compilation of short stories by people who knew Anne McCaffery best. I enjoyed reading the stories. They paint a picture of not only Anne the author but also Anne as woman writer pioneer, author’s champion and science fiction fan. I always thought McCaffery was one of the premiere science fiction writers but never realized how much she did for the genre. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the Pern world or science fiction in general.
In the tradition of this book, I will share my first experience with Pern and Anne McCaffery. In the early 80’s, I was in grade school and was a fantasy fan of dragons, elves and the like. I was looking in my school’s library for books featuring dragons. I found two books, “Dragonflight” and “Dragonquest”. Unfortunately, they were on the shelf available only to the grades above mine. I waited till the next year to have access to the books. I read them both but I don’t think I realized they weren’t fantasy (don’t tell Anne). Growing up I always wanted to go back and read the rest of the series. After college I finally read the entire series in chronological order, where I discovered the science fiction elements. I enjoyed the Pern series, and after reading “Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern”, I plan to read some of Anne’s other books.
In the tradition of this book, I will share my first experience with Pern and Anne McCaffery. In the early 80’s, I was in grade school and was a fantasy fan of dragons, elves and the like. I was looking in my school’s library for books featuring dragons. I found two books, “Dragonflight” and “Dragonquest”. Unfortunately, they were on the shelf available only to the grades above mine. I waited till the next year to have access to the books. I read them both but I don’t think I realized they weren’t fantasy (don’t tell Anne). Growing up I always wanted to go back and read the rest of the series. After college I finally read the entire series in chronological order, where I discovered the science fiction elements. I enjoyed the Pern series, and after reading “Dragonwriter: A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern”, I plan to read some of Anne’s other books.
July 4, 2022
I so wanted to absolutely love this book. The Pern novels have always been firm favourites of mine, and although none of her other books affected me in quite the same way, McCaffrey is a favourite author still. After her death, her son got together many of her friends and family to write a series of essays on what his mother, and her books, meant to them.
There are some amazing pieces in here. The story of the mother reading 'The Ship That Sang' while nursing her disabled child is probably the most haunting, and I wouldn't expect anyone to read that without a tear in their eyes. There's a lot of humour running throughout and you get the distinct impression of Anne being a kind, caring person who did her utmost to help others.
But where it falls a bit short, for me at least, is I sometimes got the impression that this was about the authors of the essays, rather than about Anne herself. The worst one is the piece by her son, who seems to be more focused on all the protests and causes he's been involved in, briefly linking it back to his mother by saying she gave him the confidence to do it. The most disappointing was the one about horses - I turned to that first and found that, despite the author saying how much her and Anne talked about their horses, none of these stories were shared.
So, overall, a good read that has put me firmly in the mood to start my re-read of the whole Pern series, but one that has left me a little bit disappointed that I haven't learnt more about one of my favourite authors.
There are some amazing pieces in here. The story of the mother reading 'The Ship That Sang' while nursing her disabled child is probably the most haunting, and I wouldn't expect anyone to read that without a tear in their eyes. There's a lot of humour running throughout and you get the distinct impression of Anne being a kind, caring person who did her utmost to help others.
But where it falls a bit short, for me at least, is I sometimes got the impression that this was about the authors of the essays, rather than about Anne herself. The worst one is the piece by her son, who seems to be more focused on all the protests and causes he's been involved in, briefly linking it back to his mother by saying she gave him the confidence to do it. The most disappointing was the one about horses - I turned to that first and found that, despite the author saying how much her and Anne talked about their horses, none of these stories were shared.
So, overall, a good read that has put me firmly in the mood to start my re-read of the whole Pern series, but one that has left me a little bit disappointed that I haven't learnt more about one of my favourite authors.
February 12, 2022
I was a young teen when the cover of Dragonsong caught my eye in the school library; David Roe’s illustration immediately appealed and I had to know more about this fabulous creature, the two characters riding it, and the intriguing world they jointly inhabited. McCaffrey’s novel was the first SF book I’d ever read – at the time I imagined it was pure fantasy – and reading it would begin a lifelong interest in genre fiction.
Anne’s family and friends contribute more than 20 essays that capture the essence of their relationship with the Dragonlady; insightful, humorous, emotional and revealing, they each add an important perspective on her life and work, and importantly on the way she choose to live and interact with others. If, like I did, you don’t know too much about the author of the Pern series, then this excellent collection of memories and personal observations will provide information and entertainment in a neatly presented package, with the bonus of Michael Whelan artwork!
Anne’s family and friends contribute more than 20 essays that capture the essence of their relationship with the Dragonlady; insightful, humorous, emotional and revealing, they each add an important perspective on her life and work, and importantly on the way she choose to live and interact with others. If, like I did, you don’t know too much about the author of the Pern series, then this excellent collection of memories and personal observations will provide information and entertainment in a neatly presented package, with the bonus of Michael Whelan artwork!
February 8, 2019
Uplifting and sad at the same time . There was so much more to Anne McCaffrey than being an author, of which she was marvelous. Wife, mother, friend, mentor, confidant.
This book gives the reader an open door to the life and loves of Anne Mccaffrey, the ups and downs, how she helped those in need, and just how much she was dearly cherished.
The respect, depth of feeling of the writers, and the stories of those who knew Annie so well. It wasn't just respect, but a deep abiding love.
I went through the whole gamut of emotions. Knowing how it would end.. I still cried.
This book gives the reader an open door to the life and loves of Anne Mccaffrey, the ups and downs, how she helped those in need, and just how much she was dearly cherished.
The respect, depth of feeling of the writers, and the stories of those who knew Annie so well. It wasn't just respect, but a deep abiding love.
I went through the whole gamut of emotions. Knowing how it would end.. I still cried.
July 19, 2022
Lovely tribute
I have been reading Anne McCaffrey books for over 40 years and have loved them all. They have been re read more than once and still enjoyed and I have been reading the books that Todd wrote just recently. I enjoyed this book because I met Anne when she came to Waterstones booksellers in Sheffield many years ago to give a talk on her books. As it happened I had a copy of the first Dragon book with me and it was the only copy there so Anne read from that book and signed it for me so yes Todd, Ane touched many lives with her writing.
I have been reading Anne McCaffrey books for over 40 years and have loved them all. They have been re read more than once and still enjoyed and I have been reading the books that Todd wrote just recently. I enjoyed this book because I met Anne when she came to Waterstones booksellers in Sheffield many years ago to give a talk on her books. As it happened I had a copy of the first Dragon book with me and it was the only copy there so Anne read from that book and signed it for me so yes Todd, Ane touched many lives with her writing.
February 7, 2018
It was a quick and fun read hearing how other authors who were her friends viewed the Dragonlady. I always assumed that she allowed other authors to co-author her books because she was ailing and couldn’t do it herself anymore and that may have been true too to some extent. But she evidently was really interested in seeing others succeed at authorship and did what she could to help. I find that admirable.
July 7, 2023
Heartfelt and touching remembrances of one of science fiction’s pioneers. Fans of Anne’s will find at least one experience that echoes their own discovery of a world and cast of characters that has become a warm, comforting friend who helps us through life’s darkest moments.
Not only did Anne write characters that became role models for me as a teen, but she herself has become a role model for me as a mature woman.
Not only did Anne write characters that became role models for me as a teen, but she herself has become a role model for me as a mature woman.
July 19, 2020
Ann McCaffrey has always been one of my favorite writers. I was interested to know how much help she gave other writers. Lee and Miller have a soft spot in my heart so it was fantastic to see that she had pushed her publishing company to get re-interested in their stories about the Liaden Universe (now 20 books strong). She was a force of nature.
May 15, 2017
I really loved how this book showed Anne McCaffrey and how her writing and life influenced so many people for good. It was great to see how the good in her and her writing extended far beyond just her books.
June 24, 2021
A heartwarming tribute to one of the legends of SF. I laughed, cried, and snorted more than once, but above all, I wish I’d met the amazing dragonwriter in person after reading this touching series of memories.
March 23, 2022
What a wonderful tribute to an amazing author. This book really showed what the woman behind the books was really like and how many people's lives she touched. The Pern books are one of my favorite series and I really enjoyed learning more about Anne McCaffrey and her life.
November 2, 2020
Wonderful tribute to Anne McCaffrey after her passing. Includes essays from many who knew her including Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Lois McMaster Bujold, Wen Spencer, and Janice Ian.
March 16, 2021
Sweet, interesting little book of perspectives on one of my favorite writers.
April 26, 2022
If you love Anne McCaffrey, you should read this book. It made me cry and she sounds like she was a wonderful human being. I'm glad there are people like her in the world, it gives me hope.
December 23, 2023
A collection of writings about the author Anne McCaffery by people (mostly fellow writers) who knew her. Very enjoyable and informative.
August 14, 2013
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
Dragonwriter is exactly what it purports to be: a tribute to the incomparable Anne McCaffrey and to the worlds and characters she created -- not only Pern but also the brainships universe, and to a lesser extent the Talents universe, the world of Petaybee, and others. The essays run the gamut from very personal remembrances to more scholarly explorations of McCaffrey's impact on science fiction and fantasy in general and on women in SF/S in particular. Some of the pieces made me cheer; others made me tear up. All of them together made me realize anew what a profound influence McCaffrey had in her field . . . and on me personally.
One of the things that comes through most clearly in all the essays is the sheer power and charisma of Anne McCaffrey's personality. Unlike some authors, McCaffrey loved and was interested in her fans. At signings, she paid attention to each fan, genuinely connecting with them if only for those few moments. She had incredible energy and an almost palpable glow about her. I was privileged to meet her at a signing when I was still in my late teens, during one of her book tours, shortly after the paperback release of The White Dragon. I was completely tongue-tied, awed but delighted by her humor and warmth. I still treasure my signed paperback copies of the original Dragonrider trilogy. (I had to buy another set so I could keep my signed treasures in good shape.)
If you're not familiar with McCaffrey's books, you probably don't realize how groundbreaking she was. Before McCaffrey, women were seldom main characters in SF/F, and when they did appear, they were usually either ditzes, damsels in distress, sex objects, or cold, essentially sexless scientists. There were almost no strong female characters. (James H. Schmitz's Telzey Amberdon was a rare exception.) McCaffrey's women are almost all strong individuals who take an active role in shaping their own lives (and frequently those of others.) Lessa, Helga, the Rowan, Damia, Menolly, Sharra, Killishandra, and a host of other main and secondary characters showed readers and writers of both sexes that strong, intelligent women belong in science fiction and in the real world. I know that I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't read McCaffrey's books beginning in my teens. For me, her characters were role models, inspiration -- even friends.
When McCaffrey began writing SF in the 1950s and '60s, women writers were as rare as strong female character -- and most of them used male names, initials, or gender-neutral names. McCaffrey was not the first woman to write science fiction under a female name, but she was among the first to gain widespread popularity; her 1978 novel The White Dragon made the NYT bestseller list. She was also the first woman to win a Hugo for fiction (in 1968, for her novella "Weyr Search") and the first woman to win a Nebula (in 1969, for the novella "Dragonrider.") Those two stories, plus an unpublished third, became the novel Dragonflight, the first of the Pern novels.*
In Dragonwriter, author after author writes about McCaffrey's influence -- often quite personal -- on his or her writing and career. There are essays by a number of McCaffrey's collaborators (she was very open to collaboration), including Elizabeth Moon, Mercedes Lackey, and Jody Lynn Nye. The book also includes a tribute by singer Janis Ian, who became a close personal friend of Anne; pieces by all three of her children; and a collection of concept sketches by artist Michael Wood, whose illustrations grace many of the Pern novels as well as this volume. (The cover of Dragonwriter is the scene which McCaffrey originally wanted for the cover of All the Weyrs of Pern.)
All in all, if you are a diehard McCaffrey fan like me, you really don't want to miss this wonderful tribute to a truly fantastic lady.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dragonwriter is exactly what it purports to be: a tribute to the incomparable Anne McCaffrey and to the worlds and characters she created -- not only Pern but also the brainships universe, and to a lesser extent the Talents universe, the world of Petaybee, and others. The essays run the gamut from very personal remembrances to more scholarly explorations of McCaffrey's impact on science fiction and fantasy in general and on women in SF/S in particular. Some of the pieces made me cheer; others made me tear up. All of them together made me realize anew what a profound influence McCaffrey had in her field . . . and on me personally.
One of the things that comes through most clearly in all the essays is the sheer power and charisma of Anne McCaffrey's personality. Unlike some authors, McCaffrey loved and was interested in her fans. At signings, she paid attention to each fan, genuinely connecting with them if only for those few moments. She had incredible energy and an almost palpable glow about her. I was privileged to meet her at a signing when I was still in my late teens, during one of her book tours, shortly after the paperback release of The White Dragon. I was completely tongue-tied, awed but delighted by her humor and warmth. I still treasure my signed paperback copies of the original Dragonrider trilogy. (I had to buy another set so I could keep my signed treasures in good shape.)
If you're not familiar with McCaffrey's books, you probably don't realize how groundbreaking she was. Before McCaffrey, women were seldom main characters in SF/F, and when they did appear, they were usually either ditzes, damsels in distress, sex objects, or cold, essentially sexless scientists. There were almost no strong female characters. (James H. Schmitz's Telzey Amberdon was a rare exception.) McCaffrey's women are almost all strong individuals who take an active role in shaping their own lives (and frequently those of others.) Lessa, Helga, the Rowan, Damia, Menolly, Sharra, Killishandra, and a host of other main and secondary characters showed readers and writers of both sexes that strong, intelligent women belong in science fiction and in the real world. I know that I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't read McCaffrey's books beginning in my teens. For me, her characters were role models, inspiration -- even friends.
When McCaffrey began writing SF in the 1950s and '60s, women writers were as rare as strong female character -- and most of them used male names, initials, or gender-neutral names. McCaffrey was not the first woman to write science fiction under a female name, but she was among the first to gain widespread popularity; her 1978 novel The White Dragon made the NYT bestseller list. She was also the first woman to win a Hugo for fiction (in 1968, for her novella "Weyr Search") and the first woman to win a Nebula (in 1969, for the novella "Dragonrider.") Those two stories, plus an unpublished third, became the novel Dragonflight, the first of the Pern novels.*
In Dragonwriter, author after author writes about McCaffrey's influence -- often quite personal -- on his or her writing and career. There are essays by a number of McCaffrey's collaborators (she was very open to collaboration), including Elizabeth Moon, Mercedes Lackey, and Jody Lynn Nye. The book also includes a tribute by singer Janis Ian, who became a close personal friend of Anne; pieces by all three of her children; and a collection of concept sketches by artist Michael Wood, whose illustrations grace many of the Pern novels as well as this volume. (The cover of Dragonwriter is the scene which McCaffrey originally wanted for the cover of All the Weyrs of Pern.)
All in all, if you are a diehard McCaffrey fan like me, you really don't want to miss this wonderful tribute to a truly fantastic lady.
FTC disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2013
I almost wish I'd bought this one in paperback, just to be able to stare at the gorgeous Michael Whelan cover art in color. That's Pern, all right. (His contribution to the book mentions that this design had been a prototype cover for All the Weyrs of Pern. Not that I don't love the one that ended up on the book, but now I kind of wish they'd gone with this one.)
This book is a collection of essays from Anne McCaffrey's friends, family, and fans, about how she and/or her writing influenced them. A bunch of the essays are, unfortunately, awfully similar "I'm a BNF and/or a famous author and here are all the other famous authors I met at a con once in 1982" kind of stories. (Like, David Gerrold's piece refers to him as having written "that episode of that show" -- you are of course supposed to know what he means -- and, you know, I happen to like "The Trouble With Tribbles," but a lot of the essays feel a little exclusionary like that, which is weird when presumably they'd like this book to appeal to people other than SMOFs.)
The essays, I think, get more interesting -- or at least more varied -- in the second half of the book. Michael Whelan's contribution is a bunch of prototype Pern novel covers, which mostly made me sorry I was reading this book on a squinty little grayscale Kindle. I liked Lois McMaster Bujold's essay a lot, but, seeing as how I like everything she ever writes, this is unsurprising. I also really enjoyed Janis Ian's piece -- I had no idea she was, well, anything other than a famous musician, but her tribute was very sweet. Mercedes Lackey's essay had an interesting premise -- the brainships universe as a dystopia -- but the execution of it fell flat for me. One of my favorite essays in the book was by Wen Spencer, an author whom I have never heard of, explaining how writing Pern fanfiction had taught her how to plot stories. That was surprisingly fun, and I am definitely going to have to check out her books. There was even one fan story with a fannish background similar to mine -- we appear to have been involved in the Pern online games at the same time, at approximately the same age and though she doesn't give specifics, I wouldn't be surprised if they were the same games -- so that one was probably the most of a nostalgia trip for me. I suspect there's a wide enough swathe of fandom in here that everyone will find something to relate to.
Would I recommend buying this book? Well, I got it because the Kindle copy was $3; I'm not sure that a full-price purchase is necessarily justified, unless you are the kind of devoted Pern fan who still needs to own everything. Probably sitting in a bookstore and skimming the essays by the people whose names you know is good enough.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm just going to stare at the cover art some more. You could buy it for the cover art. I wonder if you can just buy the cover art.
This book is a collection of essays from Anne McCaffrey's friends, family, and fans, about how she and/or her writing influenced them. A bunch of the essays are, unfortunately, awfully similar "I'm a BNF and/or a famous author and here are all the other famous authors I met at a con once in 1982" kind of stories. (Like, David Gerrold's piece refers to him as having written "that episode of that show" -- you are of course supposed to know what he means -- and, you know, I happen to like "The Trouble With Tribbles," but a lot of the essays feel a little exclusionary like that, which is weird when presumably they'd like this book to appeal to people other than SMOFs.)
The essays, I think, get more interesting -- or at least more varied -- in the second half of the book. Michael Whelan's contribution is a bunch of prototype Pern novel covers, which mostly made me sorry I was reading this book on a squinty little grayscale Kindle. I liked Lois McMaster Bujold's essay a lot, but, seeing as how I like everything she ever writes, this is unsurprising. I also really enjoyed Janis Ian's piece -- I had no idea she was, well, anything other than a famous musician, but her tribute was very sweet. Mercedes Lackey's essay had an interesting premise -- the brainships universe as a dystopia -- but the execution of it fell flat for me. One of my favorite essays in the book was by Wen Spencer, an author whom I have never heard of, explaining how writing Pern fanfiction had taught her how to plot stories. That was surprisingly fun, and I am definitely going to have to check out her books. There was even one fan story with a fannish background similar to mine -- we appear to have been involved in the Pern online games at the same time, at approximately the same age and though she doesn't give specifics, I wouldn't be surprised if they were the same games -- so that one was probably the most of a nostalgia trip for me. I suspect there's a wide enough swathe of fandom in here that everyone will find something to relate to.
Would I recommend buying this book? Well, I got it because the Kindle copy was $3; I'm not sure that a full-price purchase is necessarily justified, unless you are the kind of devoted Pern fan who still needs to own everything. Probably sitting in a bookstore and skimming the essays by the people whose names you know is good enough.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm just going to stare at the cover art some more. You could buy it for the cover art. I wonder if you can just buy the cover art.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews