I never thought about doing a sequel when I was actually writing 'The Magicians.' I only ever considered it a standalone.

The novel is a highly corrupt medium, after all - in the end the vast majority of them simply aren't that great, and are destined to be forgotten.

Being a writer can be isolating. It's good to be among readers and booksellers.

The main advantage of being a reviewer is that you read a lot. A lot of books get sent to you, and you have an amazing vantage point from which to observe what's going on in contemporary fiction - not only genre stuff, the whole spectrum.

I came from an anxious, overly intense East Coast academic family. That was the way of our tribe.

For just one second, look at your life and see how perfect it is. Stop looking for the next secret door that is going to lead you to your real life. Stop waiting. This is it: there's nothing else. It's here, and you'd better decide to enjoy it or you're going to be miserable wherever you go, for the rest of your life, forever.

You didn’t get the quest you wanted, you got the one you could do.