Science Fiction writer Andre Norton died in her Tennessee home, early Thursday morning, March 17th.

Andre Norton was my main inspiration for writing Science Fiction when I was a boy. At age 12 when I was stuck in the San Francisco airport during a strike, I bought four Andre Norton Books from a blind shop keeper for 35 cents each. I still have them. When I finally caught a plane back to New York, by a stroke of luck, I sat next to John W. Cambell, Jr. in first class. He wanted to know what I was reading and I showed him. He smiled.

Along with Heinlein, Bradbury and Asimov, she was my favorite author. I tried to collect all of of her books, but she was always ahead of me. I regret that I never got to meet her.

Andre Norton was 93. She kept many cats and I hope that someone takes care of them.

http://www.sfwa.org/news/anorton.htm