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Some sections of this document were originally written by Steven Marc Harris, but it is I, Geoduck, who now maintain it. If you have any problems or suggestions about what appears here, please come talk to me. |
Please feel free to peruse this document, which attempts to address Frequently Asked Questions about the author Robert Lynn Asprin (RLA), his various fictional series and the alt.fan.asprin newsgroup.
2.1 Who is Robert L. Asprin?
2.2 What books has he written?
2.3 What's the title and publishing date of his next book?
2.4 Can I write a letter to Robert Asprin?
2.5 Is Robert Asprin on the Net?
2.6 Are any of Robert Asprin's books on the Net?
2.7 Where can I buy copies of Robert Asprin's books?
2.8 Why does everyone talk about his "writing block"?
3.1 What kind of topics are discussed here?
3.2 What kind of topics are not discussed here?
3.3 Can I crosspost advertisements onto Alt.Fan.Asprin?
3.4 Can I post fan-fiction here?
3.5 Can I post binaries of artwork based on Asprin's fiction here?
3.6 What do all the abbreviations stand for?
4.1 Are there other newsgroups that talk about Robert Asprin?
4.2 Are there any groups that meet on IRC or ICQ to talk about
Robert Asprin?
4.3 Are there any web pages that deal with Robert Asprin or his
works?
5.1 What books are part of the series?
5.2 Will there be any more books in the series?
6.1 What books are part of the series?
6.2 What is the title and publication date of the next book?
6.3 Was there ever a comic book based on the series?
6.4 Does the Myth Adventure Fan Club still exist?
6.5 Are there any games using the characters and locales from the
series?
6.6 Any plans for a Myth Adventures animated movie?
7.1 What books are part of the series?
7.2 Did Robert L. Asprin write all the books?
7.3 Is the series still continuing?
7.4 Are there any games involving the characters and locales from the
series?
8.1 What books are part of the series?
8.2 What's the title and publication date of the next book?
9.1 What books are part of the series?
9.2 What is the title and publication date of the next book?
9.3 How much did Linda Evans contribute?
Following a serious disruption of Robert Lynn Asprin's solo writing career, (as discussed below) the group has essentially died, but Mr. Asprin is once again officially writing books, and so this FAQ will continue to be maintained. (And there are still a handful of us diehards hanging around the group, so if you've got further questions, don't hesitate to ask!)
2.1: WHO IS ROBERT LYNN ASPRIN?
Robert Lynn Asprin is an author and editor of science-fiction, fantasy and graphic novels. He was born June 28, 1946 in St. Johns, MI to Daniel and Lorraine (Cook) Asprin. Robert's father worked as a machinist while his mother worked as an elementary school teacher. Robert L. Asprin attended the University of Michigan from 1964-65. In 1965, Robert served in the U.S. Army until mid-1966. After this, Robert began a career as an accountant moving from being an accounts payable clerk in 1967 to being a cost accountant in a small subsidiary of the Xerox Corporation in Ann Arbor, MI in 1976. It was during these twelve years that Robert met and married, on December 28, 1968, a fellow worker named Anne Brett. The relationship produced two children, Annette Maria and Daniel Mather, and lasted until 1978 when the couple decided to go their separate ways. Robert Asprin soon remarried the writer Lynn Abbey with whom he eventually co-edited books with. This second marriage ended in 1993 on what Lynn Abbey has called "amicable grounds".
It 1975, Robert Asprin had began working upon a science-fiction novel called Cold Cash War, resulting from a conversation with Gordon Dickson, that dealt with a world where corporate wars became all too real and deadly. Asprin sold this idea to St. Martin's Press and soon found himself a published writer with many in the industry commenting favorably upon his first work. When publishers approached him for a second novel, Asprin revealed that he had written up a draft of a comedy-fantasy work originally entitled The Demon and I, but they felt that he shouldn't stray far from the type of science-fiction of his first work. So Asprin began work on The Bug Wars, a novel without a single human being and all taking place in a war between intelligent reptiles and insects. While working on this work, Asprin was approached by Donning Publishing that asked if he had anything for their new publishing house, Starblaze. Asprin asked if they would like to publish his The Demon and I book, an opportunity they quickly accepted. It was only at the last minute that the title was changed to the familiar Another Fine Myth which became quite popular when published. It was during this time that Asprin quit his job and started his career as a fulltime freelance writer.
This went well until the late 1990's, when RLA's career was disrupted by a converging set of circumstances. Firstly, Mr. Asprin ended up in extremely serious trouble with the American federal tax agency, the Internal Revenue Service, over the supposed non-payment of income taxes, specifically in relation to his appearances at various science fiction conventions. The IRS is reported to have garnished RLA's income, meaning that, while the garishment was in place, any income RLA made would go directly to the IRS. If he were to write and publish a book under these conditions, any and all profits would be automatically claimed by the IRS.
A way around this, evidently, was for RLA to sign off on officially 'co-authored' books. This is presumably one reason why the Phule and Time Scout series have continued to appear under co-authored bylines (Peter J. Heck and Linda Evans, respectively.) License Invoked (with Jody Lynn Nye) used the same scheme.
According to RLA's own introduction to Myth-ion Improbable, as of April 2000, this dispute was finally "resolved."
Another reason for the co-authoring as well as for the lack of new Myth books is that it appears RLA's writer's block, as discussed below, became terminal for several years. As noted elsewhere in this FAQ (Section 9.4), RLA has admitted for the record that he contributed very little to the writing of Wagers of Sin. The same is likely true of A Phule and His Money, Ripping Time, et al, although there has been no official confirmation of this. (Although the tax-agency subplots running through A Phule and His Money and Myth-Taken Identity must have been inspired by RLA's real-life experiences in this area.)
Thirdly, there was the situation with Donning. While Mr. Asprin was still under contract, Donning's "Starblaze" line, which published the original hardcover versions of the MythAdventure books, was shut down. Donning as a whole is now (more or less) defunct, having been bought out by another publishing company. The company went under amidst a storm of accusations of legal and financial chicanery, and so, for several years, if RLA was still under any contract to write Myth books, it was with this zombie of acompany, an entity with whom he had no desire to conduct further business.
As of the summer of 2001, this situation had changed. Meisha Merlin Publishing announced that they had purchased or otherwise picked up RLA's MythAdventures contract from (whatever was left of) Donning, and they would be republishing the Myth series, two books to a volume, with artist Daniel R. Horne taking the place of Phil Foglio. It was further announced that RLA would be solo-writing entirely new MythAdventure stories for publication by Meisha Merlin. The MythAdventure reprints started appearing as of June 2001 with the publication of Myth Adventures One in both soft and hardback. The first new volume in the series was published as well, under the title Myth-ion Improbable. This book was not the much-delayed sequel mentioned at the end of Sweet Myth-tery of Life, but instead details a different aventure set further back in the series' internal history.
The aforementioned sequel, Something M.Y.T.H. Inc, was finally published in the fall of 2002. While the rest of the republishing plan was eventually scrapped due to lack of consumer interest, Meisha Merlin announced that there would still be all-new MythAdventure books produced, from this point forward officially co-written by RLA and Jody Lynn Nye.At last report, Mr. Asprin was living and writing in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He survived Hurricane Katrina's 2005 devastation of the city, but it is unknown if he returned there after being evacuated, or if he found a new home elsewhere.
2.2: WHAT BOOKS HAS HE WRITTEN?
Mr. Asprin has written and edited over 50 books. His most famous books are part of various different series. These are the Myth Adventures series, the Thieves' World series, the Phule series and the Time Scout series. Each of the books in these series will be listed in the appropriate section of the FAQ. Those works of RLA not listed later can be found directly below.
(For comparison, another bibliography can be found at http://www.coredcs.com/~aberkvam/rla-bib.html.)
NOVELS
The Bug Wars, St. Martin's Press (New York City), 1979.
Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe (with George Takei), Playboy Press
(New York City), 1979.
Tambu, Ace Books (New York City), 1979.
Catwoman: Tiger Hunt, Warner (New York City), 1992.
License Invoked (with Jody Lynn Nye), Baen Books (Riverdale, NY), 2001.
For King and Country (with Jody Lynn Nye), Baen Books (Riverdale, NY), 2002.
E. Godz (with Esther Friesner), Baen Books (Riverdale, NY), 2003
War Torn: Resurrection (with Eric Del Carlo), Ace Books, 2005
War Torn 2: Obliteration (with Eric Del Carlo), Ace Books, 2006
GRAPHIC NOVELS/PICTURE BOOKS
The Capture Coloring Book, (with Phil Foglio) Boojums Press (Kalamazoo, MI), 1976.
Duncan and Mallory (with Mel. White), Starblaze Graphics
(Norfolk, VA), 1986.
Duncan and Mallory: The Bar-None Ranch (with Mel. White), Starblaze Graphics (Norfolk, VA), 1987.
Duncan and Mallory: The Raiders (with Mel. White), Starblaze Graphics
(Norfolk, VA), 1988.
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Note: Several years ago, Mel. White announced on alt.fan.asprin that she was working on a new volume in the Duncan and Mallory series, which was first to be serialized in "Furrlough", a comic book magazine, and then published as a single volume. Nothing seems to have come of the project. If it was or is ever finished, Robert Asprin's involvement would appear to be at best minimal. |
EDITOR
The Blood of Ten Chiefs (with Lynn Abbey and Richard Pini), Tor
(New York City), 1986.
Wolfsong: The Blood of Ten Chiefs (with Lynn Abbey and Richard
Pini), Tor (New York City), 1988
CONTRIBUTOR
Festival Moon (edited by C. J. Cherryh), Daw, 1987
Angels In Hell (edited by Janet Morris), Baen, 1987
Smugglers Gold (edited by C. J. Cherryh), Daw, 1988
Forever After (edited by Roger Zelazny), Baen, 1995
Don't Forget Your Spacesuit, Dear (edited by Jodi Lynn Nye), Baen, 1996
MUSIC
Mr. Asprin is also an accomplished writer and performer of 'filk' music. One collection that features a couple of songs that he has written is entitled Shai Dorsai, and can be found at http://www.random-factors.com, under the link "Other Filk Titles--Anthologies"
2.3: WHAT IS THE TITLE AND PUBLISHING DATE OF HIS NEXT BOOK?
The most recent release from Mr. Asprin is a fantasy novel officially co-authored by Eric Del Carlo and entitled Wartorn #2: Obliteration. As the title suggests, it is the second in a series.
A new novel in the "Phule" series, Phule's Errand, is schedualled to be released in July 2006. It is officially co-written by Peter J. Heck.
The latest Myth-Adventure novel entitled Myth-Gotten Gains, co-written by Jody Lynn Nye, is currently scheduled to be released by Meisha Merlin in the fall of 2006.
Meisha Merlin was planning to publish The Asprin Wars, an omnibus collection of three of RLA's early out-of-print novels: The Bug Wars, Cold Cash War and Tambu. Amazon.com has a publishing date of Februrary 2007 listed for this book.
2.4 CAN I WRITE A LETTER TO ROBERT LYNN ASPRIN?
Your best bet is to contact him through the publishing companies which print his various books, but chances of a reply appear to be slim.
Robert Asprin
c/o Baen Books
P.O. Box 1403
Riverdale, NY 10471
Or,
Robert Asprin
c/o Ace Publicity
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Or,
Robert Asprin
c/o Meisha Merlin Publishing
PO Box 7
Decatur, GA 30031
NOTE: Mr. Asprin has been known to make personal appearences at science-fiction conventions, and it may be possible to meet him in person at one of these events.
2.5: IS ROBERT LYNN ASPRIN ON THE NET?
Asprin did once have an e-mail account at CompuServe but it is reported that it is no longer active. Beyond the Meisha Merlin site which offers new editions of his Myth-Adventure books for sale, he does not have any official website or other Internet presence. Considering how Mr. Asprin enjoys his privacy, the readers of this FAQ are strongly encouraged to use the mailing addresses given in the previous answer.
2.6: ARE ANY OF ROBERT L. ASPRIN'S BOOKS ON THE NET?
Due to copyright law, none of Robert Asprin's books have been legally placed upon the Net. Illegal translations of his work have been known to be posted.
2.7: WHERE CAN I BUY COPIES OF ROBERT ASPRIN'S BOOKS?
The new MythAdventure books can be purchased directly from the Meisha Merlin website, or from your local bookstore.
The Time Scout novels are also still in print, and can be ordered new from your local bookstore, from online retailers like Amazon.com or direct from Baen Books.
The Phule series and Myth paperbacks can be purchased in the same fashion from Ace's corporate owner, Penguin Putnam, at penguinputnam.com.
Ace has republished nearly all MythAdventure books in paperback, combining the first ten books in the series into five two-a-book combos. These can purchased from your local bookstore, or at the PP website listed above. Additionally, the first two books in the series are available in a single volume from Meisha Merlin.
If you wish to purchase used editions of RLA's books you should check your local used bookstore, where paperback copies of RLA's various works commonly turn up in the scifi/fantasy section. The illustrated Starblaze editions of the MythAdventures series appear in such places as well, but they are much rarer than the rest. Places on the WWW where you can search are Abebooks.com and bookfinder.com, which are listings of the joint inventory of dozens of used bookstores all across the North American continent, and eBay, the (in)famous on-line auction site where you can bid for used copies of the books from other Internet-users.
2.8: WHY DOES EVERYONE TALK ABOUT HIS "WRITING BLOCK"?
Because Robert Asprin seems to have a chronic re-occurring case of it. He has been known to feverishly work on a project only to find himself suddenly at a loss on how to continue it. This has resulted in several years between books that he had promised previously to have done in a matter of months. And it has also led to Asprin's many hobbies such as martial arts, fencing, firearms, archery, the raising and breeding of tropical fish, needlework, acting in amateur theater, playing folk (and filk) guitar and playing pool. Some of these hobbies have gone so far as to lead Asprin into side-jobs such as being a martial and fencing coach (with a brief stint as a divisional vice-chairman of the Amateur Fencing League of America), a street musician and an organizer within the Society for Creative Anachronism. In short, Asprin finds the process of writing tedious and difficult and would much rather spend an afternoon doing those things he is interested in.
3.1: WHAT KIND OF TOPICS ARE DISCUSSED HERE?
Anything dealing with Robert Asprin or his creative works is considered to be on-topic and acceptable. One should be aware that not everyone has read every book in the various series. Try to not give away key plot resolutions. A good rule to follow is to not blurt out events taking place in the last three chapters of a book. If you feel that it is important to discuss the endings, then make sure to announce that you are going to do this either in the subject line if starting the thread or within the text if the thread is already in existence. A simple announcement of "Spoilers" will do the trick.
3.2: WHAT TOPICS ARE NOT DISCUSSED HERE?
This newsgroup is NOT ABOUT ASPIRIN THE DRUG! The difference in spelling should clue the observant in on their mistake, but apparently this isn't enough to stop some people. If you have a serious question or a not-so-serious-but-oh-so-witty comment about aspirin (such as the famous "I love Aspirin too!"), you can check out medlux.drugs.safety, rec.drugs.misc or sci.med.pharmacy.
Also, try to avoid complaining about the lack of postings unless you are willing to fill the gap yourself. If you want interesting topics, start one. Don't bemoan the lack of them.
3.3: CAN I SPAM AND CROSSPOST UNRELATED ADVERTISEMENTS ONTO ALT.FAN.ASPRIN?
No. For what it is worth, such postings are not wanted or even read.
3.4: CAN I POST FAN-FICTION BASED ON ANY OF ASPRIN'S WORKS?
Yes, and in fact a few have already done so, including the current maintainer of this FAQ. As long as it is 1) related to any of Asprin's works and 2) mention is made somewhere that aspects of the work are based on those copyrighted by Robert L. Asprin. Please remember that fan-fiction is a violation of copyright law and that by posting such derivative works you are taking the responsibility of its publication.
Some short pieces of RLA fan fiction can be found at www.fanfiction.net, under the catagory of "Books" and then "Robert Asperin" (sic).
3.5: CAN I POST BINARIES OF ARTWORK BASED ON ASPRIN'S FICTION HERE?
No. Alt.Fan.Asprin is not a binary newsgroup and many newsgroup providers carry the newsgroup with that expectation. There is also the problem that some people actually pay for the time it takes to read newsgroups and sometimes binary posts can cause them to spend a great amount of time online for artwork they can not and may not wish to view. The best way to handle the situation is to post a pointer to a web page or a newsgroup (such as alt.binaries.pictures.cartoons or alt.binaries.pictures.misc) that contains the artwork and then let people find their own way there.
3.6: WHAT DO ALL THE ABBREVIATIONS STAND FOR?
As you read through some of the postings, you may come across people complaining about SMOL's ending and the way the Myth series changed after MIL. These abbreviations are from the titles of the various books that Asprin has written and have developed over time by posters in the newsgroup to avoid typing out the full title of the novel. They are as follows:
AFM = Another Fine Myth
MC = Myth Conceptions
HoM = Hit or Myth
MP = Myth-ing Persons
LMM = Little Myth Marker
MIL = M.Y.T.H. Inc. Link
MaI = Myth-nomers and Im-pervections
MD = Myth Directions
MIA = M.Y.T.H. Inc. In Action
SMoL = Sweet Myth-tery of Life
SM or SMI = Something M.Y.T.H Inc.
PC = Phule's Company
PP = Phule's Paradise
4.1: ARE THERE OTHER NEWSGROUPS THAT TALK ABOUT ROBERT ASPRIN?
Yes. Though alt.fan.asprin is obviously the most likely place to find postings dealing with Robert Asprin, other newsgroups from time to time also discuss his works as they relate to their topics. Some newsgroups that do this are those newsgroups under the rec.arts.sf hierarchy (e.g. announce, fandom, written, marketplace, misc., reviews) also rec.arts.books.reviews and alt.fan.created-worlds. There have also been various threads dealing with Asprin and his works on alt.fan.furry, alt.fan.pratchett, alt.fan.eddings and alt.fan.callahans but these are generally not on-topic for these newsgroups.
4.2: ARE THERE ARE ANY GROUPS THAT MEET ON IRC OR ICQ TO TALK ABOUT ROBERT ASPRIN?
There is (or was) an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channel called #asprin that meets occasionally on Dal.Net that discusses topics dealing with the series that Asprin has created. There is no known group that meets via ICQ for the same purpose.
4.3: ARE THERE ANY WEB PAGES THAT DEAL WITH ROBERT L. ASPRIN OR HIS WORKS?
Yes.
4.31: PAGES DEVOTED TO ROBERT ASPRIN:
Robert Asprin's induction into the Filk Music Hall of Fame
Personal Reviews of Asprin's works by Bjorn and Sven
Dan Risse's list of RLA's books. (Includes photos of covers.)
Books N' Byte's list of RLA's books.
The Dorsai Irregulars. (A group that RLA helped found.)
4.32: PAGES DEVOTED TO ASPRIN'S MYTH ADVENTURES SERIES:
A Nitpicker's Guide to Robert Asprin's Myth series
The Alt.Fan.Asprin Fan-Fiction Round Robin
Phil Foglio, the illustrator of many of the MythAdventure books.
Daniel R. Horne, the illustrator of the Meisha Merlin MythAdventure reprint.
4.33: PAGES DEVOTED TO THIEVES' WORLD:
A Notable Guide to Thieves' World
A Thieves' World discussion page
A collection of Theives' World covers
This series details how mega-corporations in the near future act as nations and engage in actual warfare with each other.
5.1: WHAT BOOKS ARE PART OF THE SERIES?
There are two books in the series:
The Cold Cash War. St. Martin's (New York City), 1977.
Cold Cash Warrior (with Bill Fawcett) Ace Books, 1989.
The second book is a role-playing book where the reader can choose the actions of the main character.
5.2: WILL THERE BE ANY MORE BOOKS IN THE SERIES?
Robert Asprin has indicated that he has no interest in writing another Cold Cash book. Of course, it should also be noted that Asprin indicated the same thing before the second book.
Arguably Asprin's true claim to fame, this series follows the dimension-hopping adventures of a novice magician named Skeeve, along with those of his various friends, enemies and associates.
6.1 WHAT BOOKS ARE PART OF THE SERIES?
There are currently 16 titles:
Another Fine Myth, Donning (Norfolk, VA), 1978; Revised edition,
illustrated by Phil Foglio, 1985.
Audiotape version: read by Jeff Woodman, Recorded Books (Prince
Frederick, MD), 1986.
Myth Conceptions, illustrated by Polly and Kelly Freas, Donning, 1980.
Audiotape version: read by Jeff Woodman, Recorded Books, 1980.
Myth Directions, illustrated by Phil Foglio, Donning, 1982.
Audiotape version: read by Jeff Woodman, Recorded Books, 1982.
Hit or Myth, illustrated by Phil Foglio, Donning, 1983.
Myth-ing Persons, illustrated by Phil Foglio, Donning, 1984.
Little Myth Marker, illustrated by Phil Foglio, Donning, 1985.
M.Y.T.H. Inc. Link (with Kay Reynolds), illustrated by Phil Foglio,
Donning, 1986.
Myth-Nomers and Im-Pervections, illustrated by Phil Foglio, Donning,
1987.
M.Y.T.H. Inc. in Action, illustrated by Phil Foglio, Donning, 1990.
Sweet Myth-tery of Life, illustrated by Phil Foglio, Donning, 1994.
Myth-ion Improbable, illustrated by Hoang Nguyen, Meisha Merlin (Decatur, GA), 2001.
Something M.Y.T.H. Inc., illustrated by Graig Kreindler, Meisha Merlin, 2002.
Myth-Told Tales, (with Jody Lynn Nye), Meisha Merlin, 2003.
Myth-Alliances, (with Jody Lynn Nye), illustrated by Michael Komarck, Meisha Merlin, 2003.
Myth-Taken Identity, (with Jody Lynn Nye), illustrated by Phil Foglio, Meisha Merlin, 2004.
Class Dis-Mythed, (with Jody Lynn Nye), illustrated by Phil Foglio, Meisha Merlin, 2005.
There have been multi-volume collections of the series published by several different companies:
The first three books were collected in the hardback:
Myth Adventures, Doubleday (Garden City, NY), 1984
It appears that a separate book-club edition of this book was also assembled at the same time, which contained the first four novels. Or at least it used the same title. Check carefully what you are buying..
Myth Adventures, Doubleday (Garden City, NY), 1984
The next three after that were collected in the hardback:
Myth Alliances, Doubleday (Garden City, NY), 1987.
The first two books have been collected in the hardback:
Myth Adventures One, Meisha Merlin (Decatur, GA), 2001.
Beginning in 2002, Ace republished the first ten books in the series in paperback, putting two of the original novels into each of five books.
6.2: WHAT IS THE TITLE AND PUBLICATION DATE OF THE NEXT BOOK?
Myth-Gotten Gains will be published in September of 2006.
6.3: WAS THERE EVER A COMIC BOOK BASED ON THE SERIES?
Yes. Starting in March of 1984, WaRP Graphics began an adaptation of the first book, Another Fine Myth, in a comic book series. The series name was Myth Adventures and lasted 12 issues, with a brief appearance in an Annual as well. Phil Foglio illustrated the first 8 issues, which make up a fairly liberal adaptation of the plot of Another Fine Myth. Starting in issue 9, 1986, [Jim] Valentino became the chief illustrator and began an all-new story line that takes place between Another Fine Myth and Myth Conceptions. WaRP Graphics gave the project over to Apple Comics who produced issues 11 and 12 before ending the series.
Apple comics later produced a very close adaptation of Myth Conceptions, done by Ken and Beth Mitchroney in 8 issues from 1987 to 1989.
The first 8 issues of Myth Adventures were later collected in two graphic novels:
Myth Adventures One, art by Phil Foglio, Starblaze Graphics (Norfolk,
VA), 1985.
Myth Adventures Two, art by Phil Foglio, Starblaze Graphics (Norfolk,
VA), 1985.
They are out of print and none of the other issues in either comic series
have been reprinted. Phil Foglio has announced on his own website that he will be republishing the books with which he was involved, but no timetable has been announced.
It should be emphasized that though Robert Asprin is listed as the author of all the comic series, there is debate as to what Asprin actually wrote. For this reason, much of the information that can be gained from the comics dealing with the Myth Adventure universe is seen as being apocryphal.
Additional info: Beth Mitchroney reports via personal e-mail that due to a communications breakdown she and Mr. Mitchroney initially wrote/created their adaptation of Myth Conceptions without any input from RLA. Mr. Asprin did eventually get to see their work and approved it before the comics were published.
6.4: DOES THE MYTH ADVENTURE FAN CLUB STILL EXIST?
No. While there was no official announcement of the Fan Club's death, it is no longer in operation. The Fan Club lasted from June of 1985 to sometime in 1994. The Fan Club's dues were $8 a year for a membership package containing a certificate, button (which read "I'm a Mythfit!"), and a bumper sticker. Later, this was changed to $10 a year. It also had a quarterly newsletter called MythInformation. The club encouraged the formation of local chapters ("dimensions") and when the founders of the Club found themselves unable to continue the operations, they turned the control over to a group in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area who were then running their most active local chapter. The Arizona group managed to publish one more issue of MythInformation before discontinuing the newsletter and allowing the Fan Club to disappear. Kevin Standlee, the founder of the club, has said that the dues entitled an individual to four issues of the newsletter. So if anyone became a member, but never received their allotted four issues, you are still technically a member of the Fan Club.
The last official address of the club was a post office box in California operated by Mr. Standlee. Mr. Standlee announced on A.F.A. that the PO box has been officially and permanently closed.
6.5: ARE THERE ANY GAMES USING THE CHARACTERS AND LOCALES FROM THE SERIES?
Yes.
Wizards, edited by Bill Fawcett, RoleAids:Mayfair Games Inc, 1983
This is a role-playing supplement for TSR's Advanced Dungeon and Dragons game published by Mayfair Games as part of its RoleAids line. It includes an essay by Robert Asprin called "Myth-Chief: The Magic of Aahz and Skeeve" where Asprin explains how Aahz and Skeeve should be used in a role-playing game and gives several details as to how magic works in the Myth series. There is also statistics listed for both Aahz and Skeeve as well as an adventure entitled "Mythtified" which takes place between the second and third book of the series. Aahz and Skeeve are asked to investigate the catacombs of Castle Possiltum to locate the legendary Bearer Of Kings so that it may be used by King Roderick the Fifth in the annual Spring Parade.
Myth Fortunes, Mayfair Games Inc, 1989
This is a board game that uses the artwork of Phil Foglio, both from his illustrations of the books as well as all-new material, to create a gameboard that you must travel on using the roll of the dice. It contains an introduction by Robert Asprin, laminated playing cards with every major and minor character from the series, and other myth-ellaneous parts. Designed for two to six players, ages twelve to adult.
Both of these games now appear to be out of print.
In 1990, Steve Jackson Games announced that they were seeking to obtain the rights to the characters of the Myth series to create a role-playing booklet in their GURPS (Generic Universal Role Playing System) series. In 1991, however, they announced that they had decided to focus more on non-copyrighted settings and had dropped the idea.
6.6: ANY PLANS FOR A MYTH ADVENTURES ANIMATED MOVIE?
No. Back in the late 1980s, WaRP Graphics decided to take their successful ElfQuest series of graphic novels to the big screen. It was stated at the time that depending on how things developed, they would eventually seek to do the same with their graphic novelization of Another Fine Myth. Unfortunately, things never developed successfully for the ElfQuest series and today WaRP Grpahics has stated that they are no longer able nor interested in a Myth Adventures animated movie.
Of course, Hollywood being what it is, all of this could abruptly change in the next five minutes.
The series is a 'shared universe' collection of short stories, concerning the interconnected lives (and deaths) of the inhabitants of a fantasy city called Sanctuary.
7.1: WHAT BOOKS ARE PART OF THE SERIES?
The Thieves' World series, when RLA was involved in its production, is covered in 12 books:
Thieves' World, Ace Books, 1979.
Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn, Ace Books, 1980.
Shadows of Sanctuary, Ace Books, 1981.
Storm Season, Ace Books, 1982.
The Face of Chaos (with Lynn Abbey), Ace Books, 1983.
Wings of Omen (with Lynn Abbey), Ace Books, 1984.
The Dead of Winter (with Lynn Abbey), Ace Books, 1985.
Soul of the City (with Lynn Abbey), Ace Books, 1986.
Blood Ties (with Lynn Abbey), Ace Books, 1986.
Aftermath (with Lynn Abbey), Ace Books, 1987.
Uneasy Alliances (with Lynn Abbey), Ace Books, 1988.
Stealer's Sky (with Lynn Abbey), Ace Books, 1989.
The series was collected in four volumes, each containing three books.
Sanctuary, Doubleday, 1982.
Cross-Currents, Doubleday, 1984.
The Shattered Sphere, Doubleday, 1986.
The Price of Victory, Doubleday, 1990.
Additionally, a series of 6(?) Thieves' World "graphic novel" adaptations were published by Donning:
Thieves' World Graphics, adapted by Robert Lynn Asprin and Lynn Abbey, art by Tim Sale, Donning, 1986-1987.
7.2: DID ROBERT L. ASPRIN WRITE ALL THE BOOKS?
No. RLA did create the setting and contributed a few stories in the series, but mostly he edited the short stories of other writers as they were collected to make up each book.
7.3: IS THE SERIES STILL CONTINUING?
According to Lynn Abbey's official homepage, the series has been revived by TOR Books, with reprints of the previous novels, a new full-length novel by Ms. Abbey and then new anthology volumes. Sanctuary, the new full-length novel was published in June of 2002, and new anthologies are following. According to an interview with Ms. Abbey, RLA was offered the chance to write a story for this "new generation", but he declined. This being the case, this FAQ does not keep up with the franchise's new publication data.
7.4: ARE THERE ANY GAMES INVOLVING THE CHARACTERS AND LOCALES FROM THE SERIES?
Yes. Completed at the same time as the Myth Adventures board game, Mayfair Games Inc. also created a boardgame based on the Thieves' World series.
Thieves' World: Sanctuary, Mayfair Games Inc., 1989
Mayfair later released a "second edition" of this product, but it appears to be no longer offered for sale on their website.
Additionally, Chaosium, Inc. released a package of Thieves' World role-playing source material, all compatible with several major RPG companies' systems. There were several later supplements to this package as well.
Thieves' World, Chaosium, 1981
More recently, the Green Ronin gaming company has begun producing new role-playing material for TW. Again, RLA has no involvement in this endevour.
This series focuses on the exploits of an independently wealthy captain in the run-down Space Legion whose devil-may-care attitude causes him to be placed in command of a misfit group of troopers. Through originality, persistence and great slatherings of cash, he makes them into the most respected outfit in the Space Legion.
8.1: WHAT BOOKS ARE PART OF THE SERIES?
There are presently five books in the series:
Phule's Company, Ace Books, 1990.
Phule's Paradise, Ace Books, 1992.
A Phule and His Money (with Peter J. Heck), Ace Books, 1999.
Phule Me Twice (with Peter J. Heck), Ace Books, 2000.
No Phule Like An Old Phule (with Peter J. Heck), Ace Books, 2004.
8.2: WHAT'S THE TITLE AND PUBLICATION DATE OF THE NEXT BOOK?
Phule's Errand will be published in July of 2006.
This series is about a time-traveling tourist industry in the near-future. In the first book, the main characters are Kit Carson and his head-strong granddaughter. In the later novels, the focus shifts (mostly) to a minor character from the first novel, Skeeter, who is a semi-reformed crook. It should be emphasized that the last two titles in the series are one plot split between two books.
9.1: WHAT BOOKS ARE PART OF THE SERIES?
There are currently four books in print.
Time Scout (with Linda Evans), Baen Books, 1995.
Wagers of Sin (with Linda Evans), Baen Books, 1996.
Ripping Time (with Linda Evans), Bean Books, 2000.
The House That Jack Built (with Linda Evans), Bean Books, 2001.
9.2: WHAT IS THE TITLE AND PUBLICATION DATE OF THE NEXT BOOK?
The House That Jack Built was published in 2001. There is currently no indication that there will be any more books in the series.
9.3: HOW MUCH DID LINDA EVANS CONTRIBUTE?
According to Robert Asprin's own admission in an interview with
Baen Books, most of Wagers of Sin was written by Evans with some
minor contributions by himself. Most of his work consisted in acting as
Evans' editor and supplying his own vast knowledge of the martial arts
in key areas.
It is likely that at best the same is true of all subsequent books
in the series.
This FAQ was created with the support and contributions of the following people: Kevin M. Dean, Michael Wills, Beth Mitchroney, John Moreno, Charles Billings, Raginturtl, Erik, Mark, Stephen, Chas Coleman, Peter J. Heck, Peter (#2), Jody Lynn Nye, Kevin Standlee, Priscilla, David Langley and James A. Whitney.
Version 1 (April, 1999) of the FAQ was written out and organized by
Steven Marc "Kayven" Harris and thus he deserves much of the blame.
Version 2.5.4 (March, 2001) was written by Robert "Geoduck" Cook,
who probably should have just left well enough alone.
Version 3.7.3 (February 2005) was written because things change as time goes by.
Version 4.2 (June 2005) was written because it was time for a major overhaul.
Unless otherwise noted, all book and series titles mentioned in this document are presumed to be copyright Robert Lynn Asprin.
Any comments/additions/corrections for version 4.2.1 and beyond should be e-mailed to: