Three Novel Nymphs, page 33
And of course, it wasn’t better on the global scene. During my writing of this novel, Russia invaded Ukraine, committing savage atrocities and threatening those who disapproved. Any claim Russia has to being a civilized nation is now moot. The US Supreme Court overthrew Roe v. Wade, allowing states to outlaw abortion, and other long-term precedents are following. Real mischief is brewing as democracy as we know it is compromised. I am reminded of the Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times.” These are indeed interesting times.
I normally include pages of reader suggestions and puns in each Xanth novel, but this time I lacked the gumption to do more than a few. Heart complications and the Virus depressed me. Sorry about that. A fair number needed more play than could be accommodated in this novel, so have to wait for the next, #49, whose title seems to be Knickelpede Knight, featuring a scholarly nickelpede who sets out to map the Land of Xanth—you know, all the nickelpede mounds, ant hills, dragon dens, mermaid pools, centaur stables, elf elms, and oh, yes, human towns—before things complicate. It’ll be wild, even for Xanth. Yes, some of the present characters will be involved, like Anthem Ant and Noe Human and maybe a couple of newly married Demons.
And the assorted credits for reader suggestions.
Credits:
Gas cap, Abundance—Cal Humrich
Ein Stein, Push the Envelope—Jim Loy
nickelpedes have five scents—David Seltzer
Com Pewter’s Smart Phone makes smart remarks—Robert Blaut
book blank except for last chapter—Jack Goldstein
Pat, Colleen, Quintessa—Kate Brooks
The Game—Amanda Plageman
Poplar and unpoplar trees; necromance—Richard van Fossan
Orchard Mantis—Benjamin Talon Diegmann
Foot of the bed—Mary Rashford
Sun gets a corona virus; thank ewes—Tim Bruening
Corona injection, cow jumped over the moon, the elemental Droms—MaryLee Jacob
Udder failure—Stephen Hendry
Moonshine, Sunshine, Earthshine—James Blakeney
Abacuss—George Pope
Character with autism—Kimberly Johnson
Encyclonepedia—Nora Cook
Air Show, Peep Show, Road Show—Pasquale Lerro
Have a cow on the moon, for all the cheese—Emily Mateka
Shampoo—Julie Brady
Reper Cushions—Douglas Brown
Caughee Bean—Andra Genius
Invisibili-tea—Thomas Pfarrer
Yellow Jacket—Guinevere Stoops
And my credit to my proofreaders, Scott M. Ryan, Doug Harter, and Avi Ornstein. Errors seem to grow on the page after my editing, but my proofers catch them.
If you enjoyed this novel and want to know more of me, you can check my website at www.HiPiers.com, where I have news of my career, a character database, do a monthly blog-type column, and maintain an ongoing survey of electronic publishers and related services for the benefit of aspiring writers. I do try to help others in my fashion.
Until we meet again, next novel …
About the Author
Piers Anthony is one of the world’s most popular fantasy writers, and a New York Times–bestselling author twenty-one times over. His Xanth novels have been read and loved by millions of readers around the world, and he daily receives letters from his devoted fans. In addition to the Xanth series, Anthony is the author of many other bestselling works. He lives in Inverness, Florida.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2025 by Piers Anthony
Cover design and illustration by Amanda Shaffer
ISBN: 978-1-5040-9042-1
Published in 2025 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
180 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
www.openroadmedia.com
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Piers Anthony, Three Novel Nymphs
