A Light in the Dark.

I adore you so much Tammy. As a petite tomboy with a twin brother and who was never taken seriously, I lived for Alanna and it taught me so much about what to look for in a partner.

Hi Tammy, I'm planning to rebind my copies of your books and thought to check up and see what you were up to. Your books are my familiar place I go to when my heart needs settling. Wild Magic and Daine will always be my favorites. I curl up with my copies when I'm feeling lost or alone or just not me. The amount of comfort the world of Tortall has brought in my life is irreplaceable. Thank you <3

I've been escaping modern events by re-reading the Tortall books - just about to start Lady Knight again. Kel in particular is helpful to me. She sees the trouble with her leaders, and the benefit, and recognizes those who are dangerous and refuses to accept that the harm they could bring is minor enough to spare herself the inconvenience of facing them down and trying to make a difference. I've been holding a lot of loved ones through a lot of heavy paths lately - medical diagnoses, learning when to cut out a harmful influence, all those awful lessons that build so much of who we are and are so hard to face - and the political grossness that is disguising simple and violent bigotry makes it even harder to keep a steady shoulder for loved ones, let alone to keep a steady path for myself. But Kel faced down Joren at every turn with courtesy and awareness in even measure, and held no tolerance for his casually violent approach to all who challenged his ego. And if Kel could do that (if you could dream her and write her and KNOW her to do that), then I can put a smile on and brace myself to keep my companions from falling in times of fear and heavy hearts, and I can put one foot in front of the other and look for ways to help instead of trying to tune out the hurt. You created the lessons that help me see myself in heroic journeys and look for ways to live up to those heroes in what little ways I can.

Rereading your books, or enjoying other books/podcasts/TV shows that have inspired me in the past can be some of the best self-care. <3

Happy Birthday Tammy!!! Just wanted to make sure I wished you a happy birthday where you would possibly see it!!!

I just finished rereading Wild Magic once again and Tortall is the exact place I needed to be transported to this week. Between the election and finding out yet another round of fertility treatments didn't work, I've needed Alanna, Daine, Numair, and the rest this week. These books have been my happy place since I was 12 and I am just so grateful to you for giving us all a place of refuge during dark times Tammy.

I think we are grieving now a bit

Your books usually help.

your message warmed my heart❤️ i know this is likely in reference to the states, but i needed to hear it too. my country is at war and i am currently hiding in a shelter from rockets. i hear the booms, the room shakes. my neighbor was recently killed and i cant stop thinking about how my husband might be called back to reserves at any moment. but then i read this. and i release the breath im holding. i think that when i can finally leave this shelter room i will go grab one of your books. they’ve been comforting me since elementary school. and now, although in my second year of pursuing a masters degree, i still reach for them when i need a reminder of the important things in life. thank you❤️

this is the first thing i saw when i woke up, and i’m so glad it was. thank you tammy ❤️

As an American living in Germany with my trans spouse, I'm heartsick for all my friends and family still in the States, and for the country that I still love, despite everything. But I'm also taking a second to be so, so thankful that we had the legal pathway and family support needed to get out to a place that is safer for us to exist in currently. I also accepted all the cuddles my cats requested (demanded) and will be jumping into comforting podcasts, books, music, and video games over the next week as I process everything. My other coping mechanism is writing deeply indulgent fics and I will be leaning on that a lot this week as well.

Honestly, this post was more cathartic than anything else has been. I spent 16 hours with incredible, passionate people working the polls in a swing state yesterday and have been feeling utterly betrayed all day (by family out of state, and by my state). Thank you, Ms Pierce, for being such a light in all of our lives for so many years. You taught me to stand up to bullies and I will be forever grateful for the impact you've had on the trajectory of my life and my ability to have confidence in myself. I don't think I knew how much I needed a post like this, today until I found myself inexplicably bawling my eyes out. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Your protagonists have gotten me through some tough times, and I’m so comforted to know that Tortall is only a book away when things get hard. Thank you for your voice, and the voices of your characters.

Thank you, Tammy - this made my heart feel a little easier today. <3 I've been listening to a lot of Pete Seeger today and thinking about his "parable of the teaspoon brigade" - that even when the scales of justice seem immovable & we feel outnumbered, if we keep showing up with our little teaspoons of sands to add to the side of peace & love, eventually the scales will tip.

It is a small comfort that I am not the only one picking up Kel's books at this time. I am encouraged to think that I, and any of us, can be a Protector of the Small. We have true control over so little, but we can offer hope, safety, security, kindness, to anyone in our circles. I am extremely discouraged, I mourn, and I rage. But I can work in my own realm to make the difference I can. Tammy, thank you so much for creating worlds where people work to make things better. Tortall has been a refuge and an inspiration for decades.

Sending love to you all. Its all I have and I give it to you xoxo

It's been scary enough watching things go down from the relative comfort of Australia! Me and my small grey fuzzy cat-shaped creature send all of the love, light and strength to you all <3

So glad I reread Protector of the Small last week—I need to channel Kel's calm steadiness to get through the next few years. Hope you are doing well <3

I have been listening to and reading comfort reads. I have been taking care of the things and people around me as I can. I played computer games this evening with my love. Thank you for your message it helped.

Your books have been getting me through the day - Kel, specifically, but diving right back into Tortall is what is going to get me through the week. I'm a social worker, and they give me the determination to keep fighting and keep doing good no matter what - so thank you for that, not just throughout the years but today of all days.

Just here to scream into the void. 🤬😭

Thank you for being a light in what feels like unimaginably heavy and endless darkness. 💜

Thank you for your encouragement, past and present. I took my dog and kiddo for a walk in the woods, watched her climb trees. I reached out to friends. And I try to remember that the same number of people are fighting today as were fighting yesterday. The fight is harder, but we aren’t alone.

Sending hugs to all of you, we’ve got to foster community and stick together now more than ever 🫂❤️

Your books have been a companion to me since childhood and rereading them always reminds me of who I am and fosters hope inside my heart. Listening to them on audiobook while taking care of some neglected house projects today. Thank you for being you.

I try to rehearse and plan for things which is horrible for this particular situation as there's so many variables, but I'm doing what I can to plan for the worst and try to live while I still can. I'm at risk of losing my health care, I can't go anywhere because I've got so many pre-existing conditions, so staying here is where I need to be. I'm going to try to do more for local mutual aid groups, give even more hugs if possible, and hope that at least some of us will make it out of the darkness. *HUG*

Rereading favourite books (like yours), especially on audiobooks helps a lot. Connecting with the people who help me be the person I want to be. And like you say: cats. Lots and lots of cats. A good Safe Place meditation gets me through a lot.

Thank you Tammy. I just posted to my socials about how the actions, words, and votes of my family and friends make me feel that the safest choice for myself and the child I’ve tried to conceive for years is to stop trying. I feel so betrayed. I feel in danger. I had to make peace with the fact that if I don’t have an extended family after this, I didn’t have one before. I think if anything gave me the emotional foundation to live with that, it’s your writing and characters.

Your books have always brought me comfort, always given me hope in dark times, I will be reading one of your books today because I need that comfort and hope. Thank you so much for always showing how much you care, from seeing it in your work to seeing it here. You give us strength and I hope we give you strength too ❤️

My kids today are talking about your books over their lunch table. Sandry is the current favorite. Brings me joy to see them

Finding comfort and solstice in fostering and spending time with community

I read one of your books last night to help carry me. Thanks always and forever for sharing your lovely stories.

Today is hard

I've been hugging other moms at school drop-off, and remembering that we're stronger when we link arms and pull together. My mantra for now is, "My hands are cupped around the candle of hope." Right now, our job is to keep it burning, so we can build from there. Thank you for everything you've written and put out into the world. Your work has directly formed and mentored multiple generations of girls who have grown into lady knights (and the Georges and Neils who stand beside us), and we're all strapping on our shields today to keep protecting the small, no matter what, together. <3

Thank you for this and for your books which are such a comfort.

Fear can be so debilitating. As a disabled person and a woman it's hard to not only see my own pain today but the pain of the diverse and beautiful people I love. For me I have to ache, but then i have to start making more moves locally to volunteer, or support the people around me who are fighting the good fight. We all feel small right now. But it feels better to be small and still trying.

I'm giving the kiddos I teach extra snuggles today, and reminding myself that I'm fighting for their future

Truth - I cry (when needed) to release the emotions, ask for hugs from friends and family (or my cats), and escape into books. I keep an eye on things so I can still know what's going on, but I'm also hoping to have some changes in US politics to people who know how to balance checkbooks and are willing to work with each other not for their own benefit, but for the country as its people. And yes, I go somewhere quiet I won't disturb others and I scream into the quiet until I feel calm. Granted sometimes that's just my pillow, but it helps when I'm that level of upset.

I learned better morals and ethics from your books than anywhere else.

Thank you for all the support. I hope you are feeling better and the move went well ❤️

I'm listening to Mastiff today to keep my mind off things. Thank you for being here.

I have my dogs, I have my family, we have each other. We’re going to keep fighting, because we will not do their work for them

Tammy, in hard times I have always turned to your books - and I'm sure many other people here do the same. Thank you for this warm message and I am glad that you have your comforts around you 💕 I also like to listen to some metal or screamo - sometimes because it helps process hard emotions but also because the sounds often make me laugh. Or the classic warm mug of tea 🍵

Thank you for these words, I always go back to my favorite books, Protector of the Small being a go to in these times. Feels like an old friend. :)

I know many of us will be reading your books for comfort today. Thank you 🙏🏻

Thank you for being a beacon of light in these dark times.

Thank you. I needed this

I truly needed this today. You have been a guiding light in my life since i was 10- when times were good and when times have been bad. love you so much tammy!!!

I remember my chosen family. They are my strength and heart.