Sunday, September 4, 2011

Piers Anthony on the Future of Xanth

One of my readers, Mark Geatches, suggested that I set up a FAQ section for the convenience of readers, which should also spare me the inconvenience of answering similar questions repeatedly. I pondered, and finally decided to do that here. He suggested some questions, and I'm adding more, and will add others as they come up. But be warned; I seem to be incapable of giving a simple answer to a simple question.

Will there be a new Xanth novel? 


Yes, as long as the market holds out. I have two more novels to go to complete the alphabet in titles (many letters duplicate), and after that we'll see. Xanth is easy, it's fun, and it sells well. Everyone likes it except the critics. So for the next few years, there'll be one new Xanth a year. The one due this year is Well-Tempered Clavicle, about Picka Bone the walking skeleton who discovers he can remove his clavicles (shoulder bones) and play music on his ribs. Princess Dawn hears him play so beautifully that she falls in love with him, but she's not his type, because of all that meat on her nice bones. But a princess is not accustomed to hearing the word No, if she even knows what it means. For 2012 it will be Luck of the Draw, wherein an 80 old Mundane man gets youthened and hauled into Xanth to court the last of the multiple princesses: sixteen year old Princess Harmony. It's not his idea or hers, emphatically; it's a Demon contest. Therein lies a story. Demons really don't take No for an answer.


32 comments:

  1. Oh I can not wait for more Xanth books! I have a lot of catching up to do but,I love them all so much! You are my favorite author <3

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  2. I love your books with the passion! Your stories have been with me since I could read and gave me my first taste of the realm of fantasy! Never have I known so many stories with wonderful uses of Puns like yours. Even to this day I can't say the words "detest" and my "fault" without thinking back on key moments in some of my most favorite stories. You will always have faithful readers!

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  3. A Spell For Chameleon was the first book I ever liked. Now that I have read most of your books I want to know if you have another writer waiting in the wings (of the Smirgh), after you are no longer able to write?

    My all time favorite author has made me into a writer and I'm curious who you can give permission to leave your legacy.

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  4. I hadn't seen a new Xanth novel for years and thought you might have retired, but am now reading "Luck of the Draw." Chortles galore! Now I have to look for three or four books I've missed...I have all the Xanth books up to "Dastard."

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  5. I'd love to see an updated "Visual Guide to Xanth". I can't keep whole series (my home couldn't handle that many bookshelves) and I love the idea of keeping encyclopedias of my favorite universes!

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  6. I first read your xanth books in high school :) you are an amazing writer don't let the critics get you!!!

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    1. Me too. I been thinking sim the birds girlfriend iris youngest daughter and wondering when she going force that bird to tie the knot. He probably outlived her so he have plenty of time to look after the universe plus who is his dad.

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  7. I am now on re-read them all and bringing my husband into the world of Xanth. Love it!

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  8. Yeaaaah! I'm going to read Xanth, I found Bio of an Ogre at a used book store. I didn't even know it was a real bio. I'm realm glad to see your doing all this. The whole internet thing. Take care.

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  9. Love your books currently rereading the color of her panties. I made a chatacter for dnd type game inspired by xanth half siren half dryad... A sirenade lol

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  10. Have most of your series. Mostly Xanth.
    Love them all. Cant wait for whats next.
    Thanks for years of great reading.

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  11. Wonderful information, thanks for sharing such a great article.

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  12. I've been reading Xanth novels since I was young, and until recently felt unable to catch up. Today I finished "Isis Orb" and will more than likely start "Ghost Writer in the Sky" tomorrow night. Hopefully I will catch completely up before this year's novel is published. Thank you Piers for all your novels and providing me with stress relief. Keep it up!!!

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  13. Three times I have bought an entire collection of your series. Three times, I have had to lose that collection due to various circumstances and hardships, then buy a larger collection (due to new releases!) each time. I am currently in the process of happily rebuilding my Xanth collection once again, having been an avid reader since I was 8 or 9 years old. We spoke in email a long time ago, commenting on my art and the fansite I had set up, but thereafter lost it due to, again, some hardships. I am glad to have had you and your brilliance as one of several, limited lights in my life. It has saved that life more than a few times.
    Thank you for continuing to write, for continuing to be you, for continuing to breathe life into Xanth and it's denizens, new, old and faded.
    -Aly

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. I definitely love his books. Havent read this yet but I think Im gonna love it too/
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  16. Makes me excited to reading everything that he writes! Do you also feel the same as his fans?
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  19. Please update me with the new novel! Thanks a lot in advance!
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