iers Anthony has long been synonymous with speculative fiction, being a leading and influential voice in the fields of both fantasy and SF, with a body of work few can match. More than 60 of his books have seen print, not including his seminal Xanth series (in itself, 25 volumes and counting).
Anthony is also a vocal proponent of both Internet- and self-publishing. His Web site hipiers.com has a wealth of links to such publishers, as well as the wisdom of a seasoned veteran in the field.
The author was gracious enough to give his opinions, getting right to the point on matters regarding the business of writing speculative fiction, as well as the status of the genres and how established names have been affected by the present and future of publishing.
What motivated you to write your autobiography, Bio of an Ogre, and your forthcoming second autobiographical volume, How Precious Was That While?
Anthony: I have had about as much adventure in publishing as any writer in my genre, such as getting blacklisted for protesting when a publisher cheated me, then becoming a best-seller, so I felt I ought to tell my story. But things continued to happen, such as my extensive interaction with my
readers, so it seemed to be time to catch up with a sequel. The thing is, normally when a publisher cheats a writer, it's the writer's tough luck; he has to keep his mouth shut or get in worse trouble. I was in a position to blow the lid off that situation, including the complicity of a writer's organization, and it seemed that if I didn't do it, no one else would. So I did it. My hipiers.com Web site is more of the same; I tell the truth about what is going on good and bad, as much of it as I know. I'm not anti-publisher, just pro-writer.
What can we learn from the story you've lived?
Anthony: You can learn what it is like to be a writer, and what it is like to stand up for what you feel is right. I have a lot of sympathy for whistle blowers, knowing from my own experience how telling an unpopular truth can make you the target of lies intended to destroy your reputation. The irony is that the public is as apt to believe the lies as the truth. If you want to live a peaceful life, don't say or do anything that isn't socially approved.
Has the Internet affected publishing in a positive or negative way?
Anthony: Positive, by opening it up to more people.
Does writing fantasy differ from, say, writing science fiction?
Anthony: Yes--fantasy has fewer rules, and just about anything goes. You don't
need to research, so it's easier.
How has promoting your work changed over the years?
Anthony: Publishers hardly seem to be promoting it any more.
Would you suggest self-publishing to a first-time novelist?
Anthony: Yes, because that way his work can be read.
You don't suffer from writer's block--is there a conscious effort behind that or is it more of a natural ability?
Anthony: I once suffered from it, and worked to conquer it. Now I have a system that works for me and just about anybody else, so it's no problem.
Can you elaborate on the system?
Anthony: I call it the "bracket" system. When the text stalls, go into brackets [like this] and talk to yourself. State the problem, play with ideas to fix it, and keep doing that--for thousands of words, if need be--until something clicks. Then emerge from the brackets and resume writing text.
This does two things: it keeps you writing, which is important for momentum, and it solves your snag. I use it constantly, and it works for me; I never suffer writer's block. Today, with the computer and multiple files, I use a separate file instead of brackets, but the system is the same. When you edit your text later, delete the bracket material; it is like scaffolding for a building under construction, essential in its turn, but never intended to be permanent. Mainly, it's a way to explore your problem sensibly, in a relaxed way, chipping away at it, and that is generally enough.
Example: He took her in his arms and said--[oops, my mind has gone blank! I'm in Writer's Block! What on earth does he say? "Get out of here, you bitch?" No, because he loves her. Say--maybe he could tell her that. What an original idea! I'm a genius!] "I love you." She replied, "I'll believe that when you show me what was in those mysterious brackets." [Oops!]
Stephen King has withdrawn Rage from print in light of the violence in some schools, viewing such books, in his words, as not a cause but an accelerant. Do you agree, and would you do the same?
Anthony: Yes, I think I agree. But it is a complex case, and I'm not sure that censoring anything is ever justified.
What are you currently reading?
Anthony: Nemo, by Kevin Anderson, a historical fantasy to be published about six
months hence. I have an advance copy to consider for blurbing.
Was there something in particular that made you want to be an author?
Anthony: When I pondered my life course, in college, I realized that writing was what I really wanted to do. That belief has not changed in 45 years.
What's the biggest liability to fiction writers today?
Anthony: Surviving. 99% can't make it into print, and most who do still can't earn a decent living from writing.
Xanth crossed over in a cameo appearance in DoOon Mode (Tor)--can we expect another, maybe longer, crossover in a future novel?
Anthony: No. D. Metria is angry about what happened.
The character of Colene is quite human in that she has very realistic, maybe dark, faults. Is that sort of personification becoming less common in today's protagonists?
Anthony: I don't read widely enough to know. I never read of a character like that before, so as far as I know, I'm the only one to do it.
You use humor to great effect in some of your work--how can you tell when to pull back from using it, when it may weaken the storyline?
Anthony: Outside of Xanth, I don't use humor much. I go by the spirit of the piece I'm writing.
What can you tell us about Swell Foop (Tor) and The Dastard (Tor)?
Anthony: The Dastard is now in hardcover, about a man who travels in time to do
dastardly deeds. Swell Foop will appear in October, about the abduction of Demon Earth, who has to be rescued before his Magic of Gravity fades and folk start falling off the planet. They would be rather angered by that.
You wrote The Gutbucket Quest (Tor) with Ron Leming and The Secret of Spring (Tor) with JoAnne Taeush--what's key to a successful collaboration?
Anthony: For me, it seems to be to have my collaborator write the novel, then turn it over to me for revision, as I generally have a better sense of the market. But there are many ways to collaborate.
Where do you see the fields of fantasy and science fiction going?
Anthony: I'm not sure they have a direction, any more than evolution does. What
works, survives.
Any future projects you're excited about?
Anthony: ChroMagic, my huge fantasy series wherein volcanoes erupt different colors of magic. It is sexy sword-and-sorcery with a vengeance--but no publisher is interested so far. Have I commented on the idiocy of publishers? Consider it done.
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Also in this issue: Kathleen Kennedy and Haley Joel Osment
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