It was announced today that Science Fiction author Ann Crispin passed away this morning after a prolonged battle with cancer. Crispin wrote twenty-three published novels in thirty years, getting to play in some of the biggest sci-fi franchises and even creating her own. For Star Wars she wrote the Han Solo Trilogy that is set prior to A New Hope, a half-dozen Star Trek novels including Yesterday's Son (her first published novel) and Sarek, and three books for the V series including the initial novelization. She also wrote a 230,000 word Pirates of the Caribbean novel called The Price of Freedom. She created her own series Starbridge that saw seven novels published.

She was founder and chair of the Science Fiction Writers of America's committee against scams, also called Writer Beware. A volunteer group with the mission is to track, expose, and raise awareness of the prevalence of fraud and other questionable activities in and around the publishing industry.

Crispin was married to fellow science fiction author Michael Capobianco.

On September 3rd, Crispin took to facebook to say goodbye:

I've been hesitant to make this post, but it's time. I want to thank you all for your good wishes and prayers. I fear my condition is deteriorating. I am doing the best I can to be positive but I probably don't have an awful lot of time left. I want you all to know that I am receiving excellent care and am surrounded by family and friends.

I wish all aspiring writers the will to finish and a good contract. Please continue to monitor Writer Beware and be careful who you sign with. Victoria Strauss and Richard White are there to help. I've asked Michael to collect and read me your messages. As I don't know how things will proceed, I don't know if I'll have the strength to post on Facebook again.