Sometimes when we label something dystopian fiction, I feel like we're trying very hard not to use the words 'science fiction,' because science fiction has those horrible connotations of rocket ships and bodacious babes. Paolo Bacigalupi babebodaciousconnotation share on social
As a kid, I always liked reading stories where I had a power-projection fantasy. I wanted to be inside of a story where I had power and influence, was going to rise to power, was going to somehow influence my society. Paolo Bacigalupi fantasyinfluenceinside share on social
As far as 'Windup Girl' becoming a hit - none of us expected that. 'Night Shade' was just hoping not to lose their shirts, and I had grown up hearing from everyone that science fiction didn't sell, so all of our expectations were very low. Paolo Bacigalupi expectexpectationfiction share on social
When somebody keeps telling you, 'This book is amazing,' you sort of have this pleasing instinct to say, 'Oh, let me make you happy again; let me do that trick again.' Paolo Bacigalupi amazebookhappy Change image and share on social
Novelists want to be published and need a publisher to decide to print 20,000 copies. So you need to entertain on some level. I want to reach out and connect. Paolo Bacigalupi 000connectcopy Change image and share on social
I think there are narratives going on all the time that we think of as tangential - up until they turn out to be deciding factors in our lives. Paolo Bacigalupi decidefactorlive Change image and share on social
Businesses that decide to be reality based and identify where they're vulnerable to climate impact, that start thinking about how to buffer against it, are going to be able to take advantage of shortages. When the water runs out, not everyone is in the same pickle. Paolo Bacigalupi advantagebasebuffer share on social
I focus a little more on pacing when I write books in the young adult category, and of course there's the great American fear of anything sexual, so that's somewhat backed off in YA. Paolo Bacigalupi adultamericanback Change image and share on social
All the definitions people want to put on you in terms of what kind of writer you are come with hidden meanings. If you're writing science fiction, you're writing rocket ships. If you write dystopian fiction, it's inequity where The Man must be fought. Paolo Bacigalupi definitiondystopianfiction share on social
My conception of my ideal reader has expanded quite a lot as I've matured: Ultimately when I think of my ideal reader, it's someone who's not sitting down with the intention of automatically arguing with the book: somebody who's going to give me enough slack to tell my story. Paolo Bacigalupi argueautomaticallybook share on social
