Letters to Jenny

"Dear Mr. Anthony,
"I need your help. I'm at my wits' end and am grabbing at straws, so decided to write to you in hopes that you might take a few minutes of your time for my daughter Jennifer.
"Jennifer is twelve years old, and has very much enjoyed your Xanth series. Unfortunately, at the moment, she is in no condition to be able to enjoy your latest offering. On December 9th 1988 while walking home from school she was struck by a drunk driver, and she has been in a coma ever since...."
Piers Anthony responded to this mother's plea with a long letter, which did evoke a small response from the little girl when it was read to her in her hospital room. In that letter he promised to name a character after her in the next Xanth book he was working on.
But that letter was only the first of many. Anthony decided that he would write to Jenny every week, telling her of the progress of his writing. Jenny responded. Slowly at first, she began fighting back toward consciousness, and then health. First she managed to blink her eyes for "yes" and "no"; soon she could wiggle a toe, then a finger. And through it all, her favorite author sent her encouragement and sympathy and laughter and love.
Here are the first year's worth of letters to Jenny. These warm, compassionate and wise letters offer an unusual glimpse into the heart and mind of one of America's bestselling writers, and a look at the reasons behind his personal relationship with his legions of fans.