Ann C Crispin, Knight of the Writing Realm

Word sadly came today of the passing of author Ann C. Crispin, science fiction writer and defender of writers everywhere through her collaboration with her friend and fellow writer Victoria Strauss, via the Writer Beware blogs here  and here, and their website.  It was only two short days ago I learned of her battle with …

Anne McCaffrey, RIP

I would get this news at the library. Don't want to break down and cry here. I loved her Dragonriders of Pern series, which I read as a teen. I am so sorry that she never saw the planned tv series come to fruition in her lifetime.  An amazing fantasy writer, I think I still …

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Happy Birthday to Charles Dickens, who, were he still alive, would clock in at 199 today! Among his books are A Tale of Two Cities, from which the title of this post originates, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, of course the nearly ubiquitous A Christmas Carol and so many others. Many of his books …

J.D. Salinger has died

 J.D. Salinger, author of Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zoey, has died at his home in New Hampshire of natural causes at the age of 91. Just last year he defended his book, Catcher in the Rye, from a fanfic spinoff by a Swedish author, called 60 Years. A great talent. Rest in …

John Updike Dies

Another Pulitzer winning writer has left us. Although possibly best known for his "Rabbit" series, many people may not be aware that he penned the book, "The Witches of Eastwick" on which the movie was based. There is a fairly lengthy obit at Yahoo!, from which I will quote this bit: His standing within the …

Michael Crichton Dies

Another author has left us. LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Michael Crichton, who helped create the TV show "ER" and wrote the best-sellers "Jurassic Park," "The Andromeda Strain," "Sphere" and "Rising Sun," has died in Los Angeles, his public relations firm said in a news release. Crichton died unexpectedly Tuesday "after a courageous and private …