Science-fiction, fantasy, genre and high concept [books] are a way of exploring reality and […] hectic social issues in a way that’s like a distorting mirror. You look through the mirror and it allows you to see things more clearly […] It’s a way of exploring very real social issues but with a very light touch […]
So exciting to be published in Catalan by Mai Més and meet my brilliant publishers Judit Terradellas and Sorgio Porex at CATCON in May earlier this year. The Mai Més covers illustrated by Ricard Efa are outrageously beautiful!
I met really cool writers and readers, ate all the tapas, and got to go to the beach!
And then on to Barcelona for a packed event at one of my favourite bookstores, Gigamesh to talk to Marcians TV3 for their “La Victoria Friqui” or “The Geek Victory” in English. We spoke about all things nerdy and geeky and about how our geeky upbringings shape our creative adult lives. I had a really great conversation with Lluís Delgado Pico, the amazing Catalan translator for my novels, about my writing process and the social justice topics underlying the books I write. I mention some of my favourite current reads pushing boundaries in fiction.
Amazing to be out in the world meeting readers, attending cons and festivals. It reminded me why I write – not for the imaginary people in my head, but for the real people who have made a connection with the imaginary ones. It reminds me that stories matter, they allow us to be more than we are and contain whole worlds made up of all the fiction we’ve absorbed ever, all the characters we’ve spent so much time with. Books become a part of us.
Images taken by @srocapol and @Diariodecaronte. Thank you!