Q.1)It has been 11 years since you wrote Bio of an Ogre, would you mind to share with us a highlight of what has happen in your life since that time to the present? Like how are your daughter doing, what good things or bad have happens that you want to share with us. How is your wife? etc... Whatever you feel like it to share with us.

So much happened after I wrote Bio of an Ogre that I wrote a sequel, How Precious Was That While, that tells much truth about publishing-- and of course I haven't yet been able to find a publisher for it. I'm about ready to publish that on the Internet, but don't want to interfere with whatever prospects my literary agent has for it. In capsule summary, my daughters have grown up and disappeared into adult life; one married and moved to Oregon, and the other works at a local newspaper. So my wife and I had a decade of childless marriage, then twenty years of family life, and now another decade of childless couplehood. Each takes time to get used to. My writing career peaked, then started down; I am not longer a best seller, and the publishers treat me accordingly, that is, with the same contempt they treat most writers. That's one reason I am promoting Internet publishing. Writers need to have more power over their own careers, and the Internet offers the promise of that.

Q.2) Would you talk about your experience of writing DoOon, the last installment of the Mode Series now? How does it feel to coming back and finish the tale of Colene? Do you know what happens with all the Ligeias?

It was nice returning to the Mode series, because I always liked smart, feisty, depressive Colene. But the girls on which she was based have largely found their own lives or deaths, and Colene is more than ever her own person now. She's less depressive and more assertive, and at the end of DoOon Mode it is clear she will become a happier, more normal adult. That is as it should be. The novel is not trying the market. I suspect there will be a problem with the last chapter, because it explores the incident that changed Colene's life: the rape, in considerable detail. Too much realism for publishers, I fear.

Update: DoOon is going to be available in stores, April 2001. TOR is the publisher.

Q.3) What other projects are you involved right now?

Other projects. I am embarking on a big one, trying to scan all my early novels into the computer for republication via the Internet, so that my readers will always be able to find my work there regardless what conventional publishers do. This Internet effort has caused me to become a significant investor in two Internet publishers, as a venture capitalist. Normally a venture capitalist is in it to make money, a fortune if possible, but I'm in it to promote something good for writers. So I'm in it for love of writing, but in the process I may make or lose a good deal of money. Of it succeeds, I will have helped change the face of publishing, and I think that is something worthy of a life. But of course I remain a writer. I continue to write Xanth novels, because that's all that publishers want, and am having to shut down my significant GEODYSSEY historical series. I'll be scanning the five original Space Tyrant novels for Internet publication, and hope to write the sixth one, The Iron Maiden, as part of that effort. I have started a new fantasy series, ChroMagic, whose first novel, Key to Havoc, is a quarter million words long, hard hitting adult fantasy set on a world where volcanoes belch colored magic and people gradually assume the colors of that magic. This far more serious fantasy than Xanth, with elements that so far have balked its publication, because it doesn't censor out natural functions as a part of human existence. I refuse to have it censored, so it ma be a while, unless this too goes to the Internet. The story line is of a "barbarian"-- that is, small town man without magic, who suddenly is made king of the planet, and doesn't want to remain so. His name is Havoc, and he does live up to it, and so does his lovely girlfriend Gale. Meanwhile, some anonymous party is trying to kill them. This may sound routine, but I suspect readers have not seen much fantasy of quite this nature; the plot is only part of the story.

Q.4) I am curious, most of your novels are in one way or another related with sex J Not conventional sex but quite spread variety, from the innocent but naughty Xanth to the very steamy Pornocopia. Also, you have a couple of novels where underage girls find love with older men (And Eternity, Caterpillar's Question to mention some). You seem to have a lot of fun with it or write about the grim realities of some people abusing other through sex (Mode series, Bio of a Space Tyrant). Can you tell me your stand about sex, as Piers Anthony the man? I remember that you told me once that "Ignorance is not Bliss", do your writing about sex in your novel is related with this belief? or do you have other reasons?

Yes, I regard sex as an integral aspect of human experience, and don't shy away from it the way traditional genre fiction does. I feel that good fiction should cover the whole of human condition, rather than excluding parts of it. I am especially bothered by fiction slated for juveniles that completely omits references to any natural functions other than eating. This is fantasy, even if there is not supernatural element in it. Sex is one of the most intriguing functions. It is true that teen aged girls figure prominently in my novels. This is not because I have any fixation on teen girls, but because my readers do. My largest readership is among teens, and when it comes to adventure, both boys and girls are interested in boys who have daring adventures, and in girls who are innocent but esthetically appealing. I try putting women into adventures, but it doesn't seem to work as well as it does for me. I try older women who are not necessarily beautiful, and again it doesn't work. I don't see why any age or gender should be excluded from the best stories, but the sales of my books channels me back to the old standards. I have tried alternative patterns. To give a couple of examples of novels you did not name: my first novel Chthon featured a boy's passion for a mature woman who turned out, to his horror, to be his mother. My novel Firefly is one of the sexiest I have done; it has four major characters, the youngest is a 35 year old woman who looks mousy. I have don't think I have had any letters appreciating the sex among full adults. What readers notice is the sexual abuse; I have heard from many readers who have experienced some of the horrors the novel shows, and I'm sure many are outraged by the flashback sequence where a five year old girl has consensual sex with a grown man. She was taught that sex is love, and she wanted love. Yet I have heard from women who experienced this too, and who tell me that it's about time someone showed what really goes on in the shadows of human life. Because I did not make up that sequence; I adapted it from a printed case history. The fact is that to be a female human being is to be a sexual target from birth on. Girls really are taught that they must be sexy to be worthwhile. I understand that today they start putting on makeup at age 8, and go on form there. Some folk want to pretend that sexual harassment is merely a matter of name calling. The reality goes far beyond that-- and each girl may think she's the only one, and that it's her fault that she is the object of sometimes brutal exploitation. I have heard from many of them, some who considered suicide for what was not their doing. Indeed, ignorance is not bliss. I think this should be brought out into the open and dealt with. But the great demand is not for more fiction like this, but for more frivolous fantasy, where girls are cute but not touched. So yes, I write sexy material, and if the popularity of mature relationships ever becomes greater than that of young love, I'll be happy to write more of that. If there's ever a market for a seventeen year old boy loving a forty year old woman, I'll write it. But what I can sell today is about adult men interested in teen girls. But to address the rest of your questions, which if we strip the euphemism, if am I a dirty old man: sex in my own life is and has always been confined to my wife of 43 years, and I'm satisfied with that. I appreciate the sexual allure of all women, in fiction and in reality, and if there is something more interesting than a shapely woman's body I'm not sure what it is, but it's like bird watching: look but don't touch. I understand that there are writers who go to conventions to get sex from devoted readers; I'm not one of them, as anyone who has met me can tell you. Maybe that's why I don't much care about conventions. I write fantasy, sexual as well as magical, but I've always known the difference between that and reality.

Q.5) I took a literature class when in college and one of our major arguments with the professor was if there was a separation between a writer personal life and beliefs and the fiction that he/she writes. The professor argued that there is a separation and that we couldn't say something like this: "The writer tries to say this and that or the writer means this or that or the writer believes this or that", based in what we were reading. We, the students, argue the other way around. That we could make assumptions of what a writer meant based of part of what we read and know about this writer. What is your believe about this? Do you think that there is such separation between what you are and what you write?

I agree with your professor. A good writer presents any case so well that you think he believes it, but that is independent of his private position. When I wrote Macroscope some thoughts I believed in astrology. Tarot goes similarly into divination with cards. The Incarnations of Immortality series features life after death, heaven and hell, God and Satan in ways that have affected the beliefs of some readers. I have so belief in the supernatural; I regard all of its as fantasy, grist for my fiction. This is really parallel to my attitude about sex, discussed in the prior answer: the fact that I write about it tells nothing about my own belief. However, there are indeed connections between my writing and my personal values that I don't mind showing in my fiction and in my life. For example, I believe in honor, which relates to honesty somewhat the way a banquet to a gumdrop. I am not aware of encountering anyone who takes this more seriously than I do, and there are those who have been astonished by my actions because they assumed I would do the easy rather than the right thing. I have made enemies because of it; in fact I once got blacklisted for refusing to back down when I was right. I don't go along with the good ol' boys. I also believe in decency, compassion, empathy, and courtesy. And I believe in realism. I try always to ascertain what the true state of things is, and do so many of my characters. They are constantly thinking, exploring, wondering, trying to get the truth and avoid illusion. The single most respectable trait in a leading character of mine is integrity, and intelligence and curiosity not far behind.

Q.6) I know that you are now connected with the Internet, so far how has been your experience with it? Have you visited some website already? Do you have any favorite place to visit?

I am slowly getting into the Internet, mainly so far with email and sightseeing various sites. As yet I haven't visited many websites, but I'll get there. My initial impression is that there's a vast difference between a Page with two paragraphs of text that hasn't been updated in six months, and a massive site like, say Amazon.com. To which any experienced Web traveler will say Duh!

Q.7) What novels do you have coming soon to our near bookstores or online?

There'll be Xanth #23 Xone of Contention in hardcover this OctOgre, and Realty Check at Pulpless.com in a free-with-advertising edition any moment now. There'll be numbers of my old novels appearing at Xlibris.com as we get them scanned and checked: Chthon, Phthor, The Space Tyrant series, Macroscope, and we'll see what else how fast. I mean, in due course, to have all of my novels either in print on or the Internet, though that may not be possible with my 24 collaborative novels because divided rights. This is looking ahead of course.

Q.8) What do you see in your future as Piers the writer and Piers the common person?

Piers the writer will continue writing; Piers the common person will remain largely anonymous. My writing persona has pretty much taken over my life, but of course the mundane self underlies it. It can be hard to keep them completely separate. For example, this Dismember I'll be attending the wedding of my Dream a Little Dream collaborator Julie Brady, as a friend, but will write it up for my column thereafter. So is this business or personal? Otherwise, I do what I can in personal life to maintain my health --I suspect I am one of the fittest of senior citizens despite bad knees, chronic fatigue and mild depression --and my estate--I am wealthy, but don't spend it on myself -- and to pursue my interests, such as all things natural and scientific. My wife and I will have our 43rd anniversary in JeJune, and I'd will like to make it up to 50 or more. We have an old fashioned marriage: death will us part.

Q.9) I know from your Author's note and bio that you don't like the idea of killing, and that is the reason you became vegetarian. Now we the situation in Kosovo, with ethnic cleansing and forced emigrations, what is your position about the matter? Do you believe that the US should stay away of that situation and let the European deal with this problem or should the US intervene more and send ground troops?

It is true: I am vegetarian because I don't like killing, directly or indirectly. But I am not a pacifist, as those who have crossed me have discovered, and I do believe in taking action where necessary. I'm a good friend and a bad enemy. The situation in Kosovo is complicated, and a full answer would be girt about by many hedges and qualifications, but the short answer is that I feel on balance that the US/NATO should intervene and send in ground troops. What the Serbs have been doing there is unconscionable and must be stopped. This does not mean that the Albanians are completely right--they have their horrors too--or the Serbs completely wrong, just that we can't in conscience let this mayhem continue. But I must add this: I feel that my status as a novelist does not make me any better qualified to comment than any other person. People tend to think that "celebrities" have some superior wisdom. That's a laugh.

Update: Right now, NATO and the UN are in Kosovo and the issue of sending US ground troops never was tested, but still this response can apply to any other circumstances or places in the world, be Africa, Asia, Europe or Latin America. MR.

Q.10) I know that you are agnostic and so far you haven't decided if there is or not a "God" out there. Do you think that one day, before you die, you will find the answer to that question?

I am agnostic because I feel each person should make up his own mind about his religion. When one person or group becomes too certain that he alone (you understand, "he" means "she" too, and they) has the truth, that's a signal he is wrong. So I do not cast aspersions on anyone's god, and can't prove that it doesn't exist, but in my own mind there is not god and I doubt I will ever believe otherwise. But as usual I have a qualification. When queried by would-be saviors, I like to say "I am agnostic. By that I mean that I don't presume to know the nature of God." The implication is that anyone who does so presume is an idiot. It's a potent rebuff, for those with the wit to perceive it. Those who kill others for not worshiping the same god show their unworthiness to have that god. I do, however, believe in Jesus, and in the other founders of great religions. Jesus' tears would be flowing yet if he could see the amoral disaster Christianity has wrought in his name. He, unlike most Christians, believed in compassion, in turning the other cheek, in forgiving enemies, in feeding the hungry, in simple living, in good works, in private prayer, in not letting the money changers take over the temple, and he practiced what he preached--he was a good man. They crucified him and carried on with the usual. I believe that if he returned to the world today he would be utterly disgusted. That's why I never joined a religion. None seemed to meet my standards, let alone those of Jesus or other founders.

P.A.T.H. Questions:

1) (Judy) I have a question for Piers, Does he have any interest in the Tarot Cards, other than historical? I was impressed with his deep look into early Christianity and his explanation for some of the events from that time.

As I said in the interview, I have no belief in the supernatural. But sometimes there are things that seem so. When I first got a conventional tarot deck of cards I tried doing a reading on myself, just to see what this nonsense was about. What got me was that it worked. I felt like a butterfly pinned to a board. That really got me interested: how was possible, if it was not supernatural? In the course of research, I concluded that it worked because the tarot cards had many symbols that related to the human condition; like a Florida sandspur, something was bound to stick. Then I studied farther, and worked out a superior desk and method of reading that would be more effective as a psychological tool, the 100 card Animation Tarot desk. I have a fair collection of different tarot desk, but my interest is indeed historical and artistic rather than religious or magical.

2) (Chris Roeszler) I would like to know what Piers Anthony considers the 1 (or 2) most important thing(s) in his writing career, or if he cares to share, in his life.

The one or two most important things in my writing career or life? This is so broad it's difficult to answer. It is my desire, in life and writing, to do some bit of good in the world before I die, so that my existence shall not have been in vain. Bit what is good? I don't have a respectable definition. I would like to see the natural world made whole--that's why I'm a environmentalist--and every person lead a nice life. But the problems of the world are way beyond me to solve. I mean, even if I had absolute power, I wouldn't know where to start. I regard success and notoriety as mere steps that better position me to accomplish something good--if only I knew what and how. So I try to do what's right as it occurs to me, carefully considering.

3) (Julie Bush) I guess I want to know if he has any other series in the works. I'd like to see a sequel for "Through the Ice" collaboration w/ Robert Kornwise [deceased].). Does he have the copyright to extend that into a series, or does he feel that the story was complete in itself?

I do have the rights to Through the Ice and could write more, but prefer to leave the novel as it stands, as a memorial to the one who created it, Robert Kornwise. The main other series is ChroMagic, mentioned before; I'd love to see that succeed, because I really like that world I made for it. It is one of twin planets, orbiting twin suns, one of which is a black hole feeling on the other. This makes for weird seasons. I have tried to create a magical ecology with its own special rules and creatures and mystery. It's environmentalist fantasy. I don't believe there is anything else quite like it in the genre. I see other writers making it big with major conventional fantasy series, and more power to them; there's excellent work out there, but I think mine could be most successful yet-- if I can get it into print. This has always been my problem; what I do doesn't quite fit the conventional mold, and publishers don't want originality or daring, they want a copy of last year's bestseller. Critics like to claim that I don't even attempt anything ambitious, but they don't see what I can't get published. But if Internet publishing succeeds, I will not longer be limited that way. Time will tell.

4) (ARMORREKKA) Did you realize that your work would change someone people's lives and be so popular to last so long?

When I started as a writer, my ambition was simply to make my living by writing, so I could spend full time at it. When through a devious and ironic chain of events, which involved being blacklisted by a publisher that later made me a bestseller, I made it big, it was a success I had never anticipated. I see it as like being struck by lighting or winning the lottery. If history were replayed, it probably wouldn't happen again. It's too unlikely. When folk ask me the secret of my success, and I say luck, they think I'm being falsely modest. I'm not. Sure, I know how to write--but so do many others who never had a bestseller. Many others who never even got published. You need writing talent and luck. As for changing the lives of others--I didn't expect that either. When it happens, I hope that any change is for the better. I try to see that whatever effect I have on the lives of others is positive.

5) (Sean Gibson) My question for Piers is this: We all can't write forever, even the wonderfully talent Piers Anthony. What will happen to his series, like Xanth, or the Mode series when he does "retire." Will the series be retired as well, or will he allow other authors to pick up the story, or even just pass the works to one gifted writer? Just curious about how authors feel about this kind of thing. I've seen some series get killed when authors allow the story to get passed on, other series get even better with the new blood.

Death will eventually retire me from writing. Because publishers today seem to be dedicated to selling ever fewer copies of series books, I suspect I will outlive commercial Xanth. But one never can tell; if there were a Xanth movie, and there might be, that would change. But there's another aspect: I am not at all sure that our culture will continue very much longer. We are destroying the resources of the globe at an increasing rate. When overpopulation reaches the limit, there will be chaos, and no one will have time for reading. This could happen in the next 25 years. So now may be the hour--literally. But if the market for Xanth does outlive me, then I hope that those who represent my estate and career have the wit to select well for a replacement writer. I think some of the later Oz books were better than some of the original author did. I think some of the studio-designed James Bond movies are better than those based on the original novels. You never can tell. Actually, a lot of Xanth comes from my readers already. Marisol contributed to Xone of Contention

This Interview is copyrighted by Marisol Ramos ©1999. This interview was done through traditional mail and I received in May 25, 1999. You need the permission of PATH manager, Marisol, to use part of this interview for your website or any other medium. To ask permission just e-mail Marisol at marisol@ piersthread.com. Thanks, MR.

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