Anne McCaffrey, 1926-2011

Prolific science fiction author Anne McCaffrey, "Annie" to friends and fans, died at home in Ireland last Monday, November 21, 2011.  She is survived by her one daughter and two sons, one of whom is Todd McCaffrey, her collaborator on the most recent Pern books.

Anne McCaffrey published nearly 100 books in her lifetime, starting with Restoree in 1967, which she described as a "jab" at the way women were portrayed in science fiction.  The Dragonriders of Pern series, for which she is best known, was conceived one day in the same year, starting with the idea "what if dragons were the good guys?".  By the time her children got home from school that day, she knew the first line of the first Pern story: "Lessa woke cold".  (That story was originally published in Analog magazine and later became part of Dragonflight, the first full Pern novel.)

To close, I will quote two others who wrote of her death, author Neil Gaiman and BlogCritics blogger Anna Meade.  Tweeted Gaiman, "She was a wonderful goodhearted funny lady. Goodbye Annie. I'm glad I knew you."

Meade wrote one the most beautiful lines I've ever read of an obituary post, and  the lines I will leave you with:

"She allowed us to fly. So ride the dragon's wings to your well-deserved rest, Anne. Pern awaits."

Anne McCaffrey's awards include:
Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award (2005)
Gandalf Award (1979)
Golden Pen Award (1982)
Hugo Award (1968)
L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)
Margaret A. Edwards Award, awarded by the Young Adult Library Services Association (a division of the American Library Association) for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults. (1999)
Nebula Award (1969)

Publisher Del Rey's announcement of Anne's death 

New York Times obituary (published November 24, 2011)

Our collection of Anne McCaffrey's works