I'll have to pass it along to my friends. One of them was anxiously awaiting her new book....
Which will likely be finished by her son Todd*.
After all, Todd has co-authored** Anne's last 4 Pern books (including
Dragon's Time (June 2011, sequel to
Dragongirl) and was co-authoring two more:
Dragonrider (expected spring 2012, sequel to
Dragon's Time) and
After the Fall is Over (long in progress; sequel to The Skies of Pern).
He also wrote 3 others solo.
I believe he has also been helping her with
After the Fall is Over, despite her statement in the first interview listed below, because of her second statement below.
* In regards to
After the Fall is Over, Hans van der Boom reported 2008/2009 that McCaffrey at age 82 had warned its completion may not be possible: "with recurring health problems, it is very hard to find the energy ...". The Pern Museum & Archives. Hans van der Boom. Retrieved 2011-07-21. See "Booknews: New solo Pern book by Anne put on hold!".
• Todd McCaffrey (2010-05-15). "Question from J.J.".
http://pernhome.com/tjm/?p=201005.
• Recently (2011), regarding collaboration with Todd, Anne McCaffrey says "I still am a bit possessive when it comes to the futures of F'lar and Lessa.["After the Fall"] ... Not only have I enjoyed helping Todd wrap up this very dramatic part of Pernese history, but my own creative juices have been flowing thick and furious: I've been writing up a storm on my own, too."
"Letter to Readers", Anne McCaffrey, Dragon's Time, page ix.
** She said of collaboration with Todd and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, "while I would dearly love to have the energy to tell a tale all on my own, I really cannot say that I am not ably represented with my collaborations." Doing Pern with Todd she was mainly "making suggestions or being a sounding board."
McCaffrey, Anne (17 December 2009). "A Letter From Anne". The Worlds of Anne McCaffrey. Pern Home.
http://pernhome.com/aim/index.php?p=80. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
