I think the role of science fiction is not at all to prophesy. I think it is to tell interesting, vivid, strange stories that at their best are dreamlike intense versions and visions of today.

My job is not to try to give readers what they want but to try to make readers want what I give.

In every book I write, I try to name-check the most prominent influences, or the most prominent conscious influences.

A lot of geeks are pale, bespectacled, wear dark clothing and don't get out much - the stereotype exists because it is very often true. I could pass for a non-geek but it would be inaccurate.

Books are always obviously having conversations with other books, and some times they're amiable and sometimes not.

I remember vividly what it's like to read as a 10-year-old - that passionate inhabiting of a book.

There's plenty of stuff that I don't feel dissident about: I really like tea, I don't have any problem with that. I like lots of paintings.