Chat Transcript from Talk City: Interview with Piers Anthony
August 12th, 1999.

Copyright (c) by Talk City.  If you want to use part or 
the whole chat for your website, contact Talk City for
permission at http://www.talkcity.com

This transcript was made by Chris Brightbill.


[22:06]  Welcome to SciFiLit's continuing celebration
[22:06]  of Science Fiction and Fantasy !!
[22:06]  .
[22:07]  TalkCity continues to bring you the best in
[22:07]  literary figures to converse with you,
[22:07]  to challenge you, to entertain you !!
[22:07]  .
[22:07]  Before I introduce our honored guest for today,
[22:07]  a reminder: this is a protocol conference, as
[22:07]  we want everyone to have a chance to speak
[22:07]  with our guest. So, once the queue is open,
[22:07]  please type a ? into the room, and you will be
[22:07]  added to the queue. When you reach the head
[22:07]  of the queue, have your question ready, and
[22:07]  wait for your "Go Ahead" (GA) from our
[22:07]  queue-keeper before asking your question.
[22:07]  .
[22:07]  . Thank you !! Enjoy !!
[22:07]  .
[22:07]  Our guest tonight is one of speculative
[22:07]  fiction's outspoken knights, jousting with
[22:07]  publishers, agents and critics...
[22:07]  His "Xanth" series is one of the
[22:07]  longest-running book series ever, and it
[22:07]  continues this fall with the upcoming "Xone of
[22:07]  Contention"....
[22:07]  .
[22:07]  He is also, among other things, a recumbent
[22:07]  cyclist, archer, and video junk-collector
[22:07]  extraordinaire....
[22:08]  .
[22:08]  . Ladies and Gentlemen....
[22:08]  .
[22:08]  . Give a warm Talk City welcome to...
[22:08]  .
[22:08]  .
[22:08]  . Piers Anthony !!
[22:08]  .
[22:08]  .
[22:08] CCCouGar flashes the APPLAUSE sign
[22:08]  .
[22:08]  Three Cheers for the Prince of Puns
[22:08]  WELCOME PIERS!
[22:08] BrianaMJ applauds lots
[22:08]  WooHoo!
[22:08]  Yeah Piers!
[22:08]  CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[22:08]  Thanks.*
[22:08] DeMiTCC claps
[22:08]  *Applause*
[22:08]  YEAH!!!
[22:08]  Clap, clap clap!!!
[22:08]  Cheers
[22:08]  Woo Hoo!
[22:08]  !
[22:08]  clap, clap, clap
[22:08]  #claps*
[22:08]  WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[22:09]  Thanks, Piers for graciously appearing with us tonight.
[22:09]  What was Piers Anthony, the young boy, interested in?
Any hobbies?
[22:09]  Yes, i was a collecter. I had a fine box collection,
for example.*
[22:09]  Mr. Anthony, how old were you when you published your
first book?
[22:10]  I was let me see, about 33 when my first novel was
published.*
[22:11]  piers how is your book any different then many of the
other sci fi writers, or how does it compare with asimovs?
[22:11]  My book? I have had 110 books published.*
[22:12]  What do you remember of your one childhood year in Spain?
And have you been back since?
[22:13]  Spain: i remember a lot, but i forgot how to speak
Spanish.* 
[22:13]  Are you ever going to come back to England for a visit,
from an english fan.
[22:14]  I wanted to visit england, and we planned to attend a
convention there, but had to cancel because of our dog.*
[22:13]  When did the urge to first write hit you? And do you
remember the first story you wrote?
[22:14]  I do remember the first story i wrote as a conscious
writer, at age 20.*
[22:14]  LOL what was it about?
[22:15]  I forget the title, but it was about old folk who had
their instinct of self preservation taken away, so that then they no longer
cared to live.*
[22:15]  Will this story ever see the light of day? Or stay
hidden from sight in the deepest dungeon?
[22:15]  No, none of my early stories should see print; they
weren't that good.*
[22:17]  I want to know where he gets his inspiration
[22:18]  inspiration: these days my readers give me ideas
galore.*
[22:18]  Do you have any book signings planned for FL? I would
really love to meet you?
[22:19]  None planned at the moment. i don't much like to
travel.*
[22:19]  Mr. Anthony, where did you first get the ideas for the
land of Xanth, as well as your Incarnation series?
[22:20]  Xanth derives from Florida, when we moved to the
backwoods.*
[22:20]  And the Incarnations?
[22:20]  Incarnations: that started with Death, because i
think about that a lot
[22:21]  It is not that i want to, but that I'm mildly
depressive. After I did Death, i follewed throuh with others.*
[22:20]  Do you feel that the genre is broadening to the point of
being a whatever story this is, it falls into it
[22:21]  Genre broadening? I'm not sure. i have about as
much trouble placing innovative material as i used to.*
[22:21]  Can you tell me how are you going with your writing with
Iron Maiden any synopsis/>
[22:22]  Today I am 72,000 words into Iron Maiden' it is going
well.*
[22:22]  How has your writing changed your life?
[22:22]  Writing change my life by making he halfway happy,
and by making me rich.*
[22:23]  LOL Piers
[22:23]  Rich is nice...
[22:23]  When can we expect (if ever) anything more in the
apprentice adept series?
[22:23]  Apprentice adept: that's over
[22:23]  How did your experiences as a child in Spain affect
your writing?
[22:24]  experiences as a child in Spain: that may have helped
me write my WWII snovel Volk, and
[22:24]  given me the notiont for Hispanic protagonists in the
Space Tyrant series.*
[22:27]  Piers, have you been spending much time surfing the net?
Do you have any new short stories being published?
[22:28]  Not a lot of time surfing' I'm a workaholic and can't
stand to leave my writing long.
[22:28]  No new short stories at the moment.*
[22:28]  (So many questions, so little time) First of all, Happy
birthday, you're only as young as your mental age. Since you just got on
the Internet, I have to ask... How do you like it, and do you think it'll
pop up a bit in your books?
[22:29]  You know I've written more novels than stories in my
career.*
[22:29]  How do i like being 65? Ugh! The internet is fine.*
[22:29]  Piers, how is your Volk novel sales going?
[22:30]  Volk: slowly.*
[22:32]  I am curious, have you already foreseen the end
of Xanth? If so, how many books do you think there will be? The reason I
ask is that the Xanth trilogy is more than just afun series for me. It
literally saved my life. I was on the verge of suicide andI happened to
comeacross Vale of the Vole. They literally were instrumental in bringing
me out of that depression.Thank you so much.
 [22:32]  I like Xanth, though i also like my serious work. i
have Xanth flanned for at least 27 novels--thats three cubed.*
[22:33]  The End of Xanth? Isn't that like killing off the
dinosaurs? Takes millions of years, doesn't it? *grin*
[22:33]  My notion of a trilogy, actually.*
[22:33]  What should a woman's hair smell like? Is it rewarding
to know that you keep
[22:33]  many middle-schoolers (myself, my lord Adept, both in
earlier years) from being incredibly unhappy?
[22:34]  Ah, there it is. The song i heard said her hair
smelled like a Sunday morning. i like that.*
[22:34]  great description . .conjurs up cinnamon buns and roses
[22:34]  It is rewarding to know that i keep anyone happy, not
just middle-schoolers.*
[22:35]  Piers I have a question for you. What is the status
of the Mode series????? 
[22:35]  Sorry about the typos.*
[22:35]  Mode: i have written DoOon Mode and TOR has accepted
it for publication, maybe in two years.*
[22:37]  "?" Mr Anthony I am one of your biggest fans Will
There be any more Incarnation Books?
[22:38]  No more Incarnations books. after God, where is
there to go?*
[22:38]  After god is Piers Anthony
[22:39]  "?" Mr. Anthony how did u get to be SO cool ?
[22:40]  Me cool? i was always nothing.*
[22:40]  What about some of the lesser incarnations?
[22:40]  Lesser incarnations would be anticlimactic.*
[22:40] KatMK has read Mr Anthony's work for quite some time... and he is
too 'cool'
[22:41]  I loved QUest for the fallen star do you think you
and James Richey may collaborate again?
[22:42]  i don't see swampduck's question, so Iall answer
another: I'm not doing any more collaborations right nov, because my
publishers have made it clear they don't want them.* 
[22:44]  I have read (and bought) nearly all of your books, could
you please suggest any authors that you may have enjoyed ?
[22:44]  This is difficult, because i hardly have time to keep
up. The top fantasy writers all seem good, but most of my reading is
nonfiction.*
[22:45]  How many books have you written to date (roughly)? Can we
expect a new series soon? If so, any inside information on what it's about?
[22:46]  I have written about 120 books. My new series in
ChroMagic, and i havent found a publisher yet.*
[22:48]  I just wondered if your realized the profound positive
effect you have on your readers....but then I've seen it demonstrated here
tonight so you must! Lol
[22:48]  I have heard from many readers who say i have their
lives.*
[22:48]  You say that writing has made you rich, maybe you should
get toghether a few other writers and start your own publication company.
[22:49]  I am encouraging online publishers, rather than doing
my own.*
[22:50]  How do you write women so well?
[22:51]  I have never been a woman, but i try to pay attention
to my wife, daughter,s and female readers. in short i try to listen well..
[22:52]  Actually my question was, are you planning anymore fantasy
series, something similar to Xanth, but in a different world, maybe a
sequeal to If I Pay Thee Not in gold (or would you plan another collebration
with another fantasy author like Anne McCaffrey?) and when are you visiting
Singapore? =P
[22:53]  ChroMagic is intended as my major next fantasy
series. The first novel is 250,000 words, but it's too hard-hitting for
publishers, it seems.*
[22:53]  Piers, how is the "Key to Havoc" (1st book of ChroMagic
series) coming? And we have titles for Xanth up through #26 (Up in a
Heaval), do you have a title for #27 yet?
[22:53]  That's the one I mentioned. It's finished, last
year, but still trying the market.*
[22:54]  TItle for #27 Xanth?
[22:54]  Xanth #27: Cube Route.*
[22:54]  First, let me say what an honor is was to "talk" with you.
You're a wonderful writer. Now the question: what is your favorite computer
game, if any? And are you coming to NJ/NY anytime soon?
[22:54]  i haven't gottin into computer games' I'm too new at
this aspect.*
[22:55]  I may be in the New Jersey area, but on business, no
fan connection.*
[22:55]  Mr Anthony I wished to ask if we will ever see any more in
the Series of the apprentice adept series? I would also like to say I have
been a long time fan of your books and applaud your wit and humor in all
things including the subtle refferences to D n D in the incarnations series.
One last thing is there a email address where fans can write to you?? I know
your busy but thought to ask ;-)
[22:56]  The adept series is ended. Email is
hipier-@mindspring.com.*
[22:57]  Hi Piers! I loved the Companions of Xanth adventure game,
any plans to produce another Xanth computer game? Also do you read the
alt.fan.piers-anthony newsgroup?
[22:57]  Legent was working on a sequel Xanth game, but
doesn't seem to have published in in several years.*
[22:57]  Piers I recently gave some of your books to my daughter
to read she loved them as much asI
[22:57] CCCouGar hopes Piers doesn't mind staying a few extra minutes to
answer all his fans' questions we have on queue....
[22:57]  I'm use to that.*
[22:58]  I know you said no more for this series but can Nox
have an Incarnations book (like a prequel)? Chaos in the begining? P.S
[22:59]  Many have suggested Nox, but it still seems to me
that the series is best ended where it is.*
[23:01]  Piers: Did you meet and know Ted Sturgeon? There is a
quality of each of your styles that reminds me of one another. I consider
Ted Sturgeon and you to be the best wordsmiths I've ever read in any medium.
[23:01]  Yes, I met Ted Sturgeon, and i regard him as the
genre's best stylist.*
[23:02]  did you ever compare notes?
[23:02]  Not with Sturgeon. i wrote to him, but he didn't
answer his mail.*
[23:02]  not everyone is as nice as Piers. =P
[23:02]  Write me i'll answer lol
[23:04]  PiersAnthony :) any chance of another Blue adept novel?
[23:04]  Mr. Anthony, what's the most interesting question you
can remember a fan asking you? 
[23:05]  At the moment i can't think of the most interesting
question. My mind is blank. sorry.*
[23:06]  I did like a letter i once received. it said "Ha!
Caught you reading fan mail!"*
[23:07]  I have read you since I was 13. You are as great a
writer today as you were back then. Happy B-Day!
[23:07]  Thanks.*
[23:07]  James, making your collaborator feel OLDER isn't scoring
brownie points!
[23:08]  LOL. I'm 35 this month as Piers is 65 oops!
[23:08] CCCouGar watches James put foot ALL the way in mouth....
[23:08]  Don't you hate getting older?*
[23:08] KatMK doesn't think Mr Anthony is old... he doesn't write 'old'...
[23:09]  I always thought that the BIO OF A SPACE TYRANT
SERIES would make a great tv series or movie series. Have you ever thought
of doing that????and I also thought the same of the INCARNATIONS series. How
bout it????
[23:09]  Space Tyrant: therte is an option on it now, but
producers don't like the hispanic element. They think it limits the market.
i think they are idiots.*
[23:10]  Mr. Anthony... I just wanted to tell you I love your Xanth
novels. my wife has got me into them... she has been a fan for years...and
i thought she was the pun king....I have not read them all yet.. but am
getting there. Thank you....You are a joy to read!! :-)
[23:10]  Thanks, MiTro.*
[23:10]  Mr. Anthony, I cannot tell you how much your
books help me through a difficult time in my life. THANK YOU. I know you
already have a website, but I am a professional Web Designed, for mostly
fortune 5 companys. I design and create high end interactive/electronic
commerce web sites. I am at your service, it would be a true honor if you
could find a way to allow me to help you as you helped me. I can be later
contacted at mar-@sibersoft.com
[23:11]  We have our own web mistrtess, thanks.*
[23:11]  Mr.Anthony a pleasure . It seems like You have gotten
More "loose" with the sexual playfulness of your Xanth Characters over the
last Few books ,more So than in the beginning ,any reason why ?Thanx for
your time
[23:12]  Yes. I figure Xanth should slowly grow up, rather
than remain juvenile.*
[23:13]  I try to write Xanth on more than one level. The
crtitics see only the simplest level.*
[23:14]  How do you feel about your popularity?
[23:14]  I like being popular.*
[23:15]  First, sorry about the old age crack, I am also a
horrible punster. Here are my two qestions: In Bio of an Ogre and the Tarot
series, you mention a college that you went to. Is it still open, where,
and would you recommend it today? Also, is there any truth behind the
Christian beginning to the Tarot that you brought up in Tarot?
[23:15]  I graduated from Goddard Gollege in Plainfield
Vermont. It is still open.
[23:16]  I believe my explanation for the origin of the tarot
cards is the correct one.*
[23:16]  Is there any chance of your adding a bi gay or
Transgendered Character to the world of Xanth?
[23:17]  Once in a while i try a gay character, and get some
ferocious negative feedback, so I'm cautious.*
[23:17]  Piers you caving to pressure?
[23:17]  Xanth does have one mentioned, at the end of Faun &
Games.*
[23:18]  i don't like to cave to pressure, but i also don't
like losing readers.*
[23:18]  Piers: A question you've heard a thousand times, do you need
a literary agent to get published these days, and how does a newcomer get
in the game?
[23:19]  You pretty well do need an agent, for conventional
publishing, but it's hard to got one.*
[23:19]  Piers: Would you ever read a short story by an unknown if
you received it email?
[23:19]  I don't want to het flooded with stories. Usually
the news i have for hopeful writers is bad.*
[23:20]  Piers I loved your work because it deals with all
different aspects of life not just the norm
[23:20]  I think all aspects of life should be included.*
[23:21]  I hereby declare Piers Anthony the Magician of
Puns.
[23:21]  Actually most of the puns come from my readers.*
[23:21]  Piers, you are a national treasure . thanx for your
time. as A bookseller i pledge to spread your wonderful works to the masses
:)Thank u And good night (say hi To JennyElf for me :) Merry B-day lol
[23:22]  But Piers if you hadn't inspired your readers, they wouldnt
have thought up of the puns. =)
[23:22]  Thank you so much Piers. You have given us so much
happiness and entertainment over these many years that these is almost no
way to properly thank you ... We'll just keep buying books!!!
[23:22]  It's a positive feedback loop.*
[23:22] CCCouGar has three questions to go....first....
[23:22] CCCouGar says KatMK submitted this one to me for you: Any
appearances in the San Francisco-San Jose area soon?
[23:23]  No.*
[23:23]  We like to always ask each author one penetrating,
insightful question, one that strips away the veneer and exposes the core,
the soul of our guest...so tell us...on any given day, what can we find in
your refrigerator? ;-D
[23:23]  You wousld have to ask my wife. I'm a dunce about
such things.*
[23:23]  .
[23:23]  CCCouGar sees the hourglass is running out....
[23:23]  .
[23:23]  Piers, is there anything you would like to
[23:23]  relate to our Cityzenry here that we may have
[23:23]  not covered tonight?
[23:24]  Just that I hope most folk were satisfied, and that
most managed to get thorugh.*
[23:23]  .
[23:23]  .
[23:24]  .
[23:24]  Thanks, Piers, for a fascinating hour !!
[23:24]  .
[23:24]  .
[23:24]  Ladies and gentlemen, Piers Anthony !!!
[23:24]  .
[23:24]  .
[23:24]  (clap clap clap)
[23:25]  Want to know more about our guest?
[23:25]  Check out this great website:
[23:25]  .
[23:25]  http://www.hipiers.com - Piers' home on the
[23:25]  weird wide web, with a Xanth timeline and
[23:25]  vital information about online publishing that
[23:25]  every fledgling author should read!
[23:25]  .
[23:25]  .
[23:25]  Browse the bookshelves of www.amazon.com
[23:25]  and check out these great books by our guest:
[23:25]  .
[23:25]  .
[23:25]  "Xone of Contention" - coming soon, three
[23:25]  couples experience the mysteries between
[23:25]  Earth and Xanth.
[23:25]  .
[23:25]  "Dream a Little Dream" (with Julie Brady) -
[23:25]  Dreams are only imaginary, right? Meet two
[23:25]  women who can make dreams into reality - and
[23:25]  whose talents may be desperately needed!
[23:25]  .
[23:25]  "Quest for the Fallen Star" (with James Richey
[23:25]  and Alan Riggs) - A group of travelers, a
[23:25]  mighty weapon, an evil villain - elements that
[23:25]  will collide during a quest for a legendary
[23:26]  symbol.
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  If you would like to see a transcript of this
[23:26]  chat, it will be posted shortly at
[23:26]  http://home.talkcity.com/librarydr/scifilit/
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  If you would like to provide feedback on this
[23:26]  chat, send your comments to
[23:26]  specialevent-@talkcity.com
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  Don't want to miss Talk City's special events?
[23:26]  Subscribe to special events updates:
[23:26]  http://www.talkcity.com/tcp/subscribe.htmpl
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  . Join us next Thursday for
[23:26]  . our next stellar interview with
[23:26]  . Orson Scott Card!
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  . That's next Thursday, 7pm PT
[23:26]  . here in SciFiLit
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  .
[23:26]  . This event has been brought to you by
[23:26]  . the Talk City Network
[23:27]  . and Talk City, Inc.
[23:27]  .
[23:27]  . Copyright 1999, All Rights Reserved.
[23:27]  .
[23:27]  .
[23:27]  Thank you for attending our conference....
[23:27]  .
[23:27]  . and Good Reading to you !
[23:27]  .
[23:27]  .
[23:27]  Okay. Good night.*
[23:27]  It has been a pleasure!
[23:27]  Good night!
[23:27]  Nini, Piers
[23:27]  buh bye
[23:27]  have a good night
[23:27]  Keep well
[23:27]  Good Night
[23:27]  Sweet Dreams Piers
[23:27]  that for everything Piers CCCOugar
[23:27]  good nigh
[23:27]  night PiersAnthony
[23:29] PiersAnthony [~piersanthon-@proxy16.talkcity.com] has left #SciFiLit

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