RIP Anne McCaffrey

I clearly remember the day I first picked up an old, beat up copy of Dragonflight. I can see the now familiar green cover, slightly curling in the bottom left cover and the image of Lessa and beautiful gold Ramoth that has since remained my emblem for both Pern and its author. I remember turning the paperback over, reading the description and thinking "Well, I'm bored. Might as well try it out." There were two other books in the series right there, and that meant at least a week or so of reading material if they turned out to be good.

I didn't know what a gift the world of Pern would become to me, and I didn't know how much of a formative influence its creator was about to be on my own work. I didn't know that I would eventually own every scrap that Anne McCaffrey chose to publish.

I'm grateful for those gifts, and I'm very sorry for her family and friends who are grieving this holiday season. You have my deepest respect and sympathy.

Anne McCaffrey has died at age 85.