Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!spool.mu.edu!agate!darkstar.UCSC.EDU!news.hal.COM!decwrl!tribune.usask.ca!canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca!umholme0 From: umholme0@ccu.umanitoba.ca (Douglas Holmes) Newsgroups: alt.fan.piers-anthony,alt.answers,news.answers Subject: alt.fan.piers-anthony Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Followup-To: poster Date: 20 Nov 1994 14:22:39 GMT Organization: The University of Manitoba Lines: 580 Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Expires: Sat, 31 December 1994 00:00:00 GMT Message-ID: <3anm3f$lc7@canopus.cc.umanitoba.ca> NNTP-Posting-Host: antares.cc.umanitoba.ca Summary: This posting contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers) about the author Piers Anthony and his works. The material favours the factual, subjective discussion is left to the newsgroup. Originator: umholme0@antares.cc.umanitoba.ca Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu alt.fan.piers-anthony:2977 alt.answers:5768 news.answers:29664 Archive-name: books/piers-anthony-faq Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-modified: 1994/11/20 alt.fan.piers-anthony FAQ 1994.11.20 The purpose of an FAQ is to provide a reference for answering those Frequently Asked Questions that appear in the alt.fan.piers-anthony newsgroup, thus saving both new and regular members of the newsgroup time and space. This FAQ will be posted to the newsgroup on a monthly basis. It is also cross posted to news.answers, which means it will be archived and available on demand. More details when I've got it figured out. There will no doubt be errors and omissions. If you find one, please let me know and I will update the FAQ. Send to umholme0@ccu.umanitoba.ca. Andrew Wooldridge has established a WWW page of Xanth material at: I would like to keep the FAQ formatted in a question/answer format and let the WWW page act as a repository for interesting material such as talent lists, images, reviews and what not. For more information contact awooldri@silver.ucs.indiana.edu. The questions are identified in the table of contents by [Qn], where ÔnÕ is the question number. The answer, later in the FAQ, will be identified by [An], to make searches easier. Acknowledgements: Thanks to Howard Wilson II for [A3], Bob Calvert for most of [A2], Andrew Wooldridge for announced Xanth titles, Mikko Hdnninen for more titles and Dave Metzener for Brilliance Corp recordings. I'll try to keep contributors names with their material TABLE OF CONTENTS [Q1] Who is Piers Anthony? [Q2] What has he written? [Q2.1] What are the new releases? [Q3] Where can I get these books? [Q4] How can I get in touch with him? [Q5] What happened to Xanth Xone? [Q6] What is Companions for Xanth? [Q6.1] How do I solve _______? [Q7] Does anyone know of a MUD or MOO based on his works. [Q99] I really liked/hated his book Ò____Ó. What did you think? ANSWERS [A1] Who is Piers Anthony? Piers Anthony, the nom de plume for Piers Anthony Dillingham (A.K.A Peter Jacob) is a prolific writer, who was first published in 1967 with the novel Chthon. Most of his work is in the field of fantasy and science fiction. Piers Anthony books tend to run in series, some as short as trilogies, while his longest (Xanth) is at 18 and still going (up to the 24th title is known). He lives in Inverness,Orange County Florida and makes few public appearances. (See A3). [A2] What has he written? BOOKS: Alien Plot Tor 1992(hc), Tor 1993(pb) Anthonology Tor 1985(hc), Tor 1986(pb) Balook Underwood/Miller 1990(hc), Ace ????(pb) Bio of an Ogre Ace 1988(hc), Ace 1989(pb) - autobiography to age 50 But What of Earth? Laser 1976(pb), (corrected version) Tor 1989(pb) Caterpillar's Question (with Philip Jose' Farmer) Putnam/Berkeley? Ace? 1992(hc) Chthon Ballantine 1967(pb), Berkeley 1975(pb), Ace 1987(pb) Dead Morn (with Roberto Fuentes) SF Tafford 1990(hc), Ace 1994(pb) Firefly Morrow/Avon 1990(hc), Morrow/Avon 1992(pb) Ghost Tor 1986(hc), Tor 1987(pb) - see also "The Ghost Galaxies" in Anthonologies Hard Sell Tafford 1990(hc), Ace 1993(pb) Hasan Borgo 1977(hc), Borgo 1977(trade pb), Dell 1979(pb), Tor 1986(pb) If I Pay Thee Not In Gold (with Mercedes Lackey) ???? ????(??) Killobyte Putnam/Ace 1993(hc), Putnam/Ace 1994(pb) Letters to Jenny Tor 1993(hc), Tor 1994(pb) - non-fiction Macroscope Avon 1969(pb), Gregg 1986(hc) Mercycle Tafford 1991, Ace 1992 Mute Avon 1981(pb) Phthor Berkeley 1975(pb), Ace 1987(pb) - sequel to Chthon Pornucopia Tafford 1989(hc), Tafford 1991(trade pb) - erotic fantasy Pretender (with Frances Hall) Borgo 1979, Tor 1985(pb) Prostho Plus Berkeley 1973(pb), Tor 1986(pb) Race Against Time Hawthorn 1973(hc), Tor 1985(pb) Rings of Ice Avon 1974(pb), Avon 1987(pb) Shade of the Tree Tor 1986(hc), Tor 1987(pb) Spider Legs (with Clifford Pickover) ???? ????(?) Steppe Tor 1985(hc), Tor 1986(pb) Tales from the Great Turtle (with Richard Gilliam) Tor ????(?) - anthology Tatham Mound Morrow/Avon 1991(hc), Morrow/Avon 1992(pb) The ESP Worm (with Robert Margroff) Paperback Library 1970(pb), Tor 1986(pb) The Ring (with Robert E. Margroff) Ace 1968(pb), Tor 1986(pb) The Unstilled World Volk 1991(?) unsold novels? Syracuse University (BA thesis)? The Willing Spirit (with Alfred Tella) ???? ????(?) Through The Ice (with Robert Kornwise) Underwood/Miller 1989(hc), Baen 1992(pb) Total Recall (novelization of movie of same name, based on story by Philip K. Dick, "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale") Morrow/Avon 1989(hc), Morrow/Avon 1990(pb) Triple Detente DAW 1974(pb), Tor 1988(pb) - A portion of this novel is derived from the novelette, "The Alien Rulers", appearing in March 1968 issue of Analog Visual Guide to Xanth (with Jody Lynn Nye) Avon 1986(trade pb) BATTLE CIRCLE series Sos the Rope Faber & Faber 1970(??), Corgi 1975(pb), Avon 1978(pb) Var the Stick Corgi 1975(pb) Neq the Sword Corgi 1975(pb) OF MAN AND MANTA series Omnivore Ballantine 1968(pb), Avon 1975(pb), Avon 1978(pb) Orn Avon 1971(pb) - published as a serial in Amazing Stories magazine Ox Avon 1976(pb) XANTH series A Spell for Chameleon Del Rey 1977(pb) The Source of Magic Del Rey 1979(pb) Castle Roogna Del Rey 1979(pb) Centaur Aisle Del Rey 1982(pb) Ogre, Ogre Del Rey 1982(pb) Night Mare Del Rey 1983(pb) Dragon on a Pedestal Del Rey 1983(pb) Crewel Lye Del Rey 1985(pb) Golem in the Gears Del Rey 1986(pb) Vale of the Vole Avon 1987(pb) Heaven Cent Avon 1988(pb) Man from Mundania Avon 1989(pb) Isle of View Morrow 1990(hc), Avon 1990(hc), Avon 1990(pb) Question Quest Morrow 1991(hc), Avon 1991(hc), Avon 1991(pb) The Color of Her Panties Avon 1992(hc), Avon 1992(pb) Demons Don't Dream Tor 1993(hc), Tor 1994(pb) Harpy Thyme Tor 1993(hc) Geis of the Gargoyle Tor 1994(hc) Roc and a Hard Place Tor (in progress) Yon Ill Wind (announced title) Faun & Games (announced title) Zombie Lover (announced title) Xone of Contention (announced title) The Dastard (announced title) CLUSTER series: Cluster Avon 1977(pb) Chaining the Lady Avon 1978(pb) Kirlian Quest Avon 1978(pb) Thousandstar Avon 1980(pb) Viscous Circle Avon 1982(pb) TAROT series: God of Tarot Jove/HBJ 1979(pb) Vision of Tarot Berkley 1980(pb) Faith of Tarot Berkley 1980(pb) Tarot Ace 1987(pb) contains all 3 Tarot novels APPRENTICE ADEPT series Split Infinity Del Rey 1980(hc), Del Rey 1981(pb) Blue Adept Del Rey 1981(hc), Del Rey 1982(pb) Juxtaposition Del Rey 1982(hc), Del Rey 1983(pb) Out of Phaze Putnam/Ace 1987(hc), Ace 1988(pb) Robot Adept Putnam/Ace 1988(hc), Ace 1989(pb) Unicorn Point Putnam/Ace 1989(hc), Ace 1990(pb) Phaze Doubt Putnam/Ace 1990(hc), Ace 1991(pb) BIO OF A SPACE TYRANT series: Vol. 1 Refugee Avon 1983(pb), Gregg 1986(hc) Vol. 2 Mercenary Avon 1984(pb), Gregg 1986(hc) Vol. 3 Politician Avon 1985(pb), Gregg 1986(hc) Vol. 4 Executive Avon 1985(pb) Vol. 5 Statesman Avon 1986(pb) Vol. 6 Iron Maiden Unwritten INCARNATIONS OF IMMORTALITY series: On a Pale Horse Del Rey 1983(hc), Del Rey 1984(pb), Innovation ????(gn in 6 parts, #6 never shipped) Bearing an Hourglass Del Rey 1984(hc), Del Rey 1985(pb) With a Tangled Skein Del Rey 1985(hc), Del Rey 1986(pb) Wielding a Red Sword Del Rey 1986(hc), Del Rey 1987(pb) Being a Green Mother Del Rey 1987(hc), Del Rey 1988(pb) For Love of Evil Morrow 1988(hc), Avon 1990(pb) And Eternity Morrow 1991(hc), Avon 1991(pb) KELVIN KNIGHT series Dragon's Gold (with Robert E. Margroff) Tor 1987(pb) Serpent's Silver (with Robert E. Margroff) Tor 1988(hc), Tor 1989(pb) ChimaeraÕs Copper (with Robert E. Margroff) Tor 1990(hc), Tor 1991(pb) OrcÕs Opal (with Robert E. Margroff) Tor 1990(hc), Tor 1991(pb) MouvarÕs Magic (with Robert E. Margroff) Tor 1992(hc), Tor 1993(pb) MODE series Virtual Mode Putnam/Ace 1991(hc), Putnam/Ace 1991(pb) Fractal Mode Putnam/Ace 1992(hc), Putnam/Ace 1992(pb) Chaos Mode Putnam/Ace 1993(hc) DoOon Mode (announced title) GEODYSSEY Series Isle Of Woman Tor 1993(hc), Tor 1994(pb) Shame Of Man Tor 1994(hc) Hope Of Earth (planned) JASON STRIKER: MASTER OF THE MARTIAL ARTS Series Kiai! (with Roberto Fuentes) Berkeley 1974(??) Mistress of Death (with Roberto Fuentes) Berkeley 1974(??) Bamboo Bloodbath (with Roberto Fuentes) Berkeley 1974(??) Ninja's Revenge (with Roberto Fuentes) Berkeley 1975(??) Amazon Slaughter (with Roberto Fuentes) Berkeley 1976(??) AS A CONTRIBUTOR: A Picture of Jesus in Science Fiction Age, July 1993 Orn in Amazing Stories, ???? The Alien Rulers in March 1968 issue of Analog - basis for "Triple Detente" Uncollected Stars (with Malzberg/Greenberg/Waugh) Avon 1986(pb) RECORDINGS: A Spell for Chameleon Abridged, published by Warner Audio, 1985. 2 cassettes (120 min.) : analog, mono, reader unknown. DYNIX # 308295 Being a Green Mother Talking Book, published by CNIB, 1990 8 cassettes (11 hrs., 40 min.), read by Bruce Huntey. DYNIX # 660506 Blue Adept Talking Book, publisher CNIB, 1992. 10 cassettes (13 hr., 40 min.), read by Gary Tipton. DYNIX # 688868 Chaos Mode Brilliance Corp For Love of Evil Talking Book, publisher CNIB, 1991 8 cassettes (11 hrs., 5 min.), read by Bruce Huntey. DYNIX # 673900 Fractal Mode Brilliance Corp Juxtaposition Talking Book, publisher CNIB, 1992 10 cassettes (14 hrs., 5 min.), read by Gary Tipton. DYNIX # 723922 On a Pale Horse Talking Book, publisher CNIB, 1992 9 cassettes (12 hrs., 15 min.), read by Bruce Huntey. DYNIX # 687608 Out of Phaze Talking Book, publisher CNIB, 1993? 8 cassettes (10 hr., 35 min.), read by Gary Tipton. DYNIX # 742305 Split Infinity Talking Book, publisher CNIB, 1992 10 cassettes (13 hrs., 50 min.), read by Gary Tipton. DYNIX # 687610 Steppe Talking Book, published by BC Library Services, 1987. 5 cassettes (5 hrs., 45 min.), read by Bryon Johnsen. DYNIX # 638152 Total Recall Talking Book, publisher CNIB, [1991] 6 cassettes (7 hrs., 46 min.), read by David Palmer. DYNIX # 681834 Virtual Mode Brilliance Corp Talking Book, publisher BC Library Services, 1992. 10 cassettes (13 hr., 10 min.), read by Barbara Karmazyn. DYNIX # 847644 Wielding a Red Sword Talking Book, publisher CNIB, 1991. 7 cassettes (10 hr., 20 min.), read by Bruce Huntey. DYNIX # 676012 Brilliance Corporation 1810-B Industrial Drive - P.O. Box 887 Grand Haven, Michigan 49417 Ph: 1-800-222-3225 Prices range from $15 to $35. Talking Books Books recorded in their entirety for the vision impaired. Available in public libraries or through the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind). For the vision impaired only. RELATED MATERIAL Companions of Xanth A computer game, described in his book "Demons Don't Dream". See [Q6/A6] for details. Xanth Role Playing Game In my local used bookstore/new role games store, a new game has shown up. I haven't seen it yet, but my parents have. It is the Xanth role playing game, ( and either based on Piers Anthony's books or by Piers himself (with help)). Any news on this, tell me about it OK (From:Mr. Jeffrey Mark Phillips) Xanth board game The Xanth board game is from Mayfair games.Try your local gaming store for a catalog... From: awooldri@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Andrew Wooldridge) Date: Tue, 1 Nov 1994 01:50:46 GMT [A2.1] What are the new releases? Based on Tor WWW page (Sept 11, 1994) ISLE OF WOMAN Tor Sept 1994(pb) [ISBN 0-812-53366-6, $5.99 ($6.99 CAN), 480 pages, reprint of 1993 Tor Books hardcover original]. The first novel in Anthony's new "Geodyssey" series, retelling the epic story of humanity's savage origins and troubled future as seen through the eyes of one family reborn throughout time. Library Journal called it "Anthony's most ambitious project to date, well-conceived and written from the heart. SHAME OF MAN Tor(hc) Oct 1994(hc) TALES FROM THE GREAT TURTLE Tor Nov 1994(hc) ed. Piers Anthony & Richard Gilliam LETTERS TO JENNY Tor Dec 1994(pb) Based on letter to Andrew Wooldridge, new Xanth titles 20. Yon Ill Wind 21. Faun & Games 22. Zombie Lover 23. Xone of Contention 24. The Dastard [A3] Where can I get these books? Aside from being available in most new and used book stores, there is Hi Piers. It is a service for Piers Anthony's fans. It is owned by his wife, who visits the office every few months. They carry all of his books that are in print, as well as T-shirts, games, and novelty items related to Piers' books, for sale by mail order. They can be reached by calling 1 800 HI PIERS, by faxing to 1-813-960-8383, or by writing to HI PIERS, SUITE 206-E, 13540 N FLORIDA AV, TAMPA FL 33613. Fan mail to Piers can be sent to him in care of the Hi Piers address, and is forwarded to him approximately once a week. As of 9/14/94 they are open from about 1pm to 7pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Piers does not come in to the Hi Piers office. Tor Books has a WWW homepage at Del Rey has gopher site at [A4] How can I get in touch with him? You can reach Piers Anthony through the 1-800-HI-PIERS service (see A3). And no, Virginia, he does not have an internet id, to the best of our knowledge. [A5] What happended to Xanth Xone? From: dcanaan@pylon.com (Dan Canaan) Date: 23 Aug 1994 15:24:10 -0700 Subject: Xanth Xone II (GEnie) Just thought I'd stop by here and let you folks know about the Xanth Xone II, a rekindling of the original on Prodigy now on GEnie in the SciFiRoundTable #3 or SFRT3. We've got around a dozen or so folks in the group, nothing like it was on Prodigy, but then we are active. :) [A6] What is Companions for Xanth? >From the back of the box: "Xanth - where emerald hillsides sparkle in the sunlight and magical springs bubble with enchanted waters, where lyrebirds play mystical tunes and needle cacti inflict a deadly sting. When two demons vie for control of this world, you become a key player in a deadly game whose stakes are the existence of magic itself." Companions of Xanth distributed by Legend Entertainment Company. MS-DOS 3 1/2" High Density disks. Required: Hard Disk, 640K RAM, Microsoft compatible mouse. Graphics: VGA, VESA compatible Super VGA. Sound: Sound Blaster & compatibles, AdLib, Roland MT-32 with MPU-401 compatible interface, RealSound. From: debi@bga.com Date: Fri Oct 7 14:15:34 1994 [A6.1] How do I solve _______? The solutions for Companions of Xanth are at my Web page. But you have to get a special viewer for them.The Mac viewer is at my web site as well, but the pc version is elsewhere.The URL is http://www.cs.indiana.edu/hyplan/awooldri/Xanth.html (if you dont know what a URL is , look it up in the FAQ's in the newsgroup news.answers under World Wide Web) From: awooldri@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Andrew Wooldridge) Date: Sun, 30 Oct 1994 00:31:57 GMT [A7] Does anyone know of a MUD or MOO based on his works. ... a MUSH based on his Incarnations works at lumley.cais.com 4201 Warning: In my experience, I have found this MUSH to be down more often than not. Use at your own risk. From: umlennon@cc.umanitoba.ca (Wayne Michael Lennon) Date: 3 Nov 1994 17:15:30 GMT [A99] I really liked/hated his book Ò_____Ó. What did you think? We all have our opinions, the purpose of the newsgroup is to exchange those views. However, in the interest of time and space, none of it will be covered here. (Unless someone can get objective values like sales figures for his books ?)