 It was the first science-fiction book by a woman on the "New York Times" best-seller list, and the cover painting is still in print from Whelan.The artists share credit for their career breakthroughs.McCaffrey said of her collaborations with son Todd McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, "While I would dearly love to have the energy to tell a tale all on my own, I really cannot say that I am not ably represented with my collaborations".