Susan Schwartz (aka Uschi Zietsch)
An Author's Profile
This article is based partially on an interview conducted by Theo Barkel of the Dutch SF Terra Club. The original interview
was published in the SF Terra Magazine in the Dutch language.
Susan Schwartz, alias Uschi Zietsch, was a member of the Perry Rhodan Authors' Team from 1991 until the end of 2003. Uschi Zietsch was born in 1961, raised in Munich , Bavaria , and attended university after high school. At the university she took Law, Theatre Science, Political Science and History. She married in 1983 and worked for some years in marketing and distribution in the field of fire alarm and security systems.
In the meantime she was pursuing her love for writing. Writing had always been her passion. At the age of 11, she began to write her first story about a horse on an old beat up travel typewriter.
In 1986, Uschi released her first fantasy novel, "Sternwolke und Eiszauber" (Starcloud and Icemagic), through Heyne Publishing. Together with her husband, Gerald Jambor, she established Fabylon Publishing in 1987 and began publishing her own stories. "Der Stern der Götter" (Star of the Gods) and "Der Traum der Wintersonne" (The Dream of the Winter Sun)
were just some of her works. Uschi also published other novels and stories through other publishers.
The following web sites will permit the interested reader to follow her work:
www.uschizietsch.de and www.fabylonzeitspur.de
Uschi's interest in science fiction began in her childhood, thanks to her brother. She was born one month before the start of
the first Perry Rhodan novel “Mission STARDUST” (Endeavor STARDUST) released on 8. September 1961. Her brother bought the Perries from the very first issue. It is not surprising that Uschi was already involved with all the PR adventures early in her life, even if she just destroyed the episodes or stuffed them underneath her pillow. Although initially through osmosis, the adventures of Perry Rhodan and his companions soon began playing a direct part in her life. Uschi admits that she read Perry Rhodan in phases. As teenager, she read the first 500 novels consecutively; after that, she read PR sporadically. She began showing real interest in science fiction as she read Asimov, Lem, Frank Herbert, Heinlein, Niven, Farmer, Bradbury, Aldiss, Spinrad, Cherryh and the like. She also read fantasy by Tolkien and, especially, ethnic sagas and legends which she is still collecting today. The stories of Lovecraft and Poe have also been important in her development as a published author.
She would never miss science fiction based television series, like Star Trek (original), Star Trek Next Generation, Babylon 5, UFO, Battlestar Galactica, Deep Space Nine, as well as an English production (Space 1999) known in Germany as Moon Base Alpha 1. Uschi enjoys watching movies, as much as she likes reading. It doesn't come as a surprise that she was influenced by writers such as Edgar Allan Poe and R. R. Tolkien. In her view, the transformation of Lord of the Rings into a fantasy movie was strike of genius. She has seen the movie trilogy at least 15 times and listens to the soundtracks while
working on her manuscripts.
Uschi had expected to see a revival of fantasy in Germany as a result of this success. However, this will not have any impact
on the German market. Only previously established authors will continue to have opportunities to publish their works. It appears as if publishers are encouraging writers to write in the style and genre of Harry Potter. There is no room for new creativity. Publishers would rather trust series with endless sequels that have been introduced to and been proven in the American market. Single issues as part of the SF and Fantasy scene have become almost impossible to publish.
Uschi has the same problems, because her stories are non-conforming. She will work only under a contract if her own stories can be improved, since contractual writing leads to compromises.
Ever since she was able to talk, Uschi was telling stories. She began to write them down as soon as she learned to manage
her ABC's. Her talent of writing and telling fantasy stories was instinctual. Writing is for her a lifelong vocation and obsession. Uschi considers herself lucky to be able to make a living today doing what she loves – writing. It is no easier to get published
in Germany than elsewhere. Uschi sees it as a lucky strike. Many authors don't write any less well, but never get a chance.
This was the reason Uschi established Fabylon Publishing. Her second book was not going to be released by Heyne Publishing; they were convinced they could make more money with American series. Therefore, she took matters into her
own hands because she didn't want to become a “forgotten” author.
“It is however, very difficult to gain recognition also on the Anglo-American scene. A lot of work goes into a story before it will get accepted and published. Supply is always bigger than demand. Art is usually a non-breadwinning endeavor.” *
At the Frankfurt Bookfair 1991, Uschi talked to the then Editor in Chief of the Perry Rhodan Series, Florian Marzin.
He asked her if she was willing to work for the team and she agreed. Florian had read her previous publications and liked
her writing style. He had actually approached her before, but she hadn't been ready at that time.
“It is a different “world” to write as part of a team within the framework of exposé guidelines, working through a mountain of data and to maintain the storyline according to stylistic criteria. This also means delivering a manuscript of pre-set number of pages at a certain deadline. Within the Perry Rhodan series it is immensely important to use correct terminology and writing styles which can be read by anyone – young and old. This also holds true for the
story content which is supposed to be adventure oriented. A Perry Rhodan series author receives an exposé detailing all story relevant data and the plot, which can be varied as long as the story does not create a conflict with following exposés. It is possible to develop a personal story within the mandatory storyline which however, needs to be resolved at the end of the individual story. This requires a lot of self-discipline, considering the limitations for self-fulfillment
as an author writing for a large series as Perry Rhodan. It is nevertheless fun and somehow, every author can leave
his or her imprint.” *
Uschi's favorite Perry Rhodan novel is Issue 1, because that's when everything started. She literally devoured the 300 cycle with Michael-Reginald Rhodan, alias Roi Danton. When she wrote the fifth book of the Perry Rhodan Authors' Library, “ Quinto Center ”, published in November 2003, she made Roi Danton the main character of the novel, according to her own developed exposé and in reference to the 300 cycle. She read Perry Rhodan up to Issue 499 of the fifth edition. At that time, Uschi even wrote a reader feedback letter to Willi Volts, then Editor in Chief.
Uschi explains: “The PR silver books are different from the Authors' Library or the Cosmos Chronicles. The storyline in the silver books is streamlined and presents a more book-like publication; this means though that several “side” issues are not integrated thus condensing the different Perry Rhodan cycles. The Cosmos Chronicles are written
from the perspective of the particular person portrait in each book. So far, there are the editions of Reginald Bull
and Alaska Saedelaere published. These books are especially interesting as they reveal additional information never
before published.” *
Uschi's most favorite self-written novels of the Perry Rhodan series are Issue 1673, “Die Offenbarung der Veego” (The Revelation of the Veego), the life story of the Ennox and Issues 2130 / 2131, the story about the Aarus, shark-like intelligent humanoids. She loves portraying alien species and people.
Uschi Zietsch wrote mainly for the Perry Rhodan series with some exceptions: the before mentioned “ Quinto Center ” and Issue 8, “Erben der Lemurer” (Heirs to the Lemurians), of the Atlan mini cycle Centauri. All other Perry Rhodan related activities are of private nature, such as the Perry Rhodan Con at Garching , Bavaria in 2003. She participated in the organization and funding of the Garching Con. These activities were not covered by the publisher. She enjoyed being responsible for the entire convention. Uschi is very proud of her achievements and the results; she also shares credit with the extremely professional work of the helpers and the organizing committee. More than 300 visitors came to the Garching Con
in 2003 which represented a strong program. Although this was a Perry Rhodan Con, many side aspects of the series were touched with many interesting reports and surprises.
Being questioned by Theo Barkel, SF Terra Magazine, about the upcoming Perry Rhodan three part movie, she replied: “At the authors' conference in May 2003, we saw a small clip, showing some designs and a small scene wrapped in background music. It looked pretty impressive. The storyline is top secret and even we as authors have no
information. The authors, except for Robert Feldhoff, are not involved in the movie making activities. The movie production will go ahead as soon as adequate financial means have been secured. Planned is a three episode
movie, which is supposed to hit the theatres or TV by the end of 2005 or 2006. So let's wait and see – authors,
as well as fans.” *
Uschi's answer to the question if she had ever seen the old Perry Rhodan Movie “SOS aus dem Weltall” (SOS from out
of space or Mission STARDUST SOS) is: “I've certainly seen it! It was horrible. Today, I have to say that the movie
was naïf, simple minded and poppy, like the 70's, including the popular music, which is available again today. It is possible that the movie is available on video cassette, just visit the Perry Rhodan home page of the publisher, they probably have contact addresses.”
She also answered the question by Theo Barkel about foreign language publications in which he asserted that some are successful and others not, trying to find a reason if it was based on cultural differences between Europe and America or if it was just a matter of commercial thinking.
“I think it's both. There are many SF readers in the USA ; however, the publishers have very little interest in publishing foreign language series. There are though a handful of readers who would be interested, but that's not enough to carry such a large series like Perry Rhodan. Some of the foreign publishing companies that are publishing Perry Rhodan are led by enthusiastic editors who are doing it just for the fans. A commercial success of the Perry Rhodan series can possibly only be achieved in Brazil , France and Japan . Holland is also relatively stable.” *
Uschi Zietsch, alias Susan Schwartz, has written more than 60 weekly novels for the Perry Rhodan series, two PR paperbacks, one Atlan issue and one PR Hardcover. Uschi Zietsch has been a freelance author since 1996.
On 8 March 2005, Uschi Zietsch was rewarded the third price in a criminal short story competition at the Flimmuseum Berlin / Fernsehmuseum with 171 participants from Austria , Germany , Switzerland and Spain.
http://www.filmmuseum-berlin.de/
When on the web site click on: Preisträger stehen fest: Der Kurzkrimi-Wettbewerb >>
Scroll down the page. Below her picture, click: mehr to get to an excerpt of her story. (German)
* Quoted from the SF Terra Magazine Manuscript of Theo Barkel
Sources: Theo Barkel, Uschi Zietsch. © 2004-2005, Pictures: Uschi Zietsch, private collection © 2005, Translation: MK, edit Tom Norris © 2005
