Weyr Fest has officially begun, and as most fans know, Anne McCaffrey herself is attending Dragon*Con 2003. According to director Anna Smith, the Pern track has evolved to include more of McCaffrey’s worlds with some exciting new additions this year.
For the first time, the Pern track is also offering a writer’s workshop, hosted by Todd McCaffrey, co-author of Dragon’s Kin and who is currently finishing Dragonsblood, the newest Pern novel. Information on the filled-to-capacity workshop was mailed to fans earlier this year via the Weyr Fest mailing list and posted on the Dragon*Con Website. Smith recommended that fans sign up for the mailing list at www.gypsywanderer.org\weyrfest to be kept abreast of future panels and workshops. Fans can also visit Anne McCaffrey’s website, which includes a live chat and message board, at www.annemccaffrey.org.
Other Weyr Fest highlights include Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, co-author of the Acorna and Petaybe series, with McCaffrey Sat 2:30 Hong Kong/Cairo and immediately afterward Todd McCaffrey will discuss how he sees Pern and what his plans are for the series. McCaffrey and Betty Ballantine will “share their memories with us on how it all began” during “In the Beginning,” Sat 11:30am Centennial II/III. McCaffrey will also be at the Dragon Signings (Bonn) at 1:00 PM.
Of course, fans can also enjoy such old favorites as the Amateur Play and the annual Gather and Costume Contest. This promises to be a terrific Con for McCaffrey fans.
