Bookends

by Robert Neilsonon Anne McCaffrey and the Dragonriders of Pern series

In 1972 my future wife, Stacey, entered Newpark Comprehensive School in South County Dublin where she met, and became friends with, Todd “McCaffrey” Johnson. Thus began a thirty-nine-year friendship that happily involved Anne McCaffrey and my family and me. Like everyone who knew Annie even slightly, Stacey’s memories mostly revolve around the strength of character, friendliness, and generosity of a woman who had an immense impact on everyone she met.

The McCaffrey house, no matter which of the four over their years in Ireland, was always a safe haven, and Annie was always more than willing to take on the many waifs and strays–both animal and human–that found their way to her doorstep. Although Stacey couldn’t be considered a stray, she found herself hanging out at Todd’s house, where Annie provided endless coffee and toast for hungry teenagers. At the time, finances were tight in the McCaffrey household, but the hospitality … read more»

Recent Free Essays (Still Available!)

Available Until
Thu 10/25

Why Are You Reading This Stupid Shirt?

by Sharon Lee, Steve Milleron Anne McCaffrey and the Dragonriders of Pern series

We treasure two photographs of Anne McCaffrey, here in the Lee and Miller household. Both of them show Anne enjoying herself immensely, posing with authority and just a little bit of ’tude.

The first photo was taken by Steve, in 1978, when Anne was Guest of Honor at BaltiCon 12. She … read more»

Available Until
Wed 10/24

A Glossary of Ancient Greek Myth

by Nigel Rodgerson Percy Jackson and the Olympians

A

Achilles

Son of Peleus and the nymph Thetis. When Achilles was born, Thetis held him by one foot and dipped him into the River Styx in an attempt to make him immortal. She almost succeeded; only the spot on his heel by which she held him while he was immersed remained … read more»

Available Until
Tue 10/23

IQ, EQ, and SQ

by Dr. Katherine Ramslandon CSI

When CSI: Crime Scene Investigation spun off from Las Vegas to Miami and then to New york City, the writers took pains to make the programs distinct. The character of each city assisted that process, but among the calculated approaches was the creation of different temperaments for the three crime … read more»

Available Until
Mon 10/22

Words to Live By

by Amy Berneron the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series

“You know,” said Arthur, “it’s at times like this, when I’m trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse, and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space, that I really wish I’d listened to what my mother told me when I was young.”

“Why, what did … read more»