I have never been a critic of science fiction as a whole.

Originality is a concept possible only to a limited viewpoint.

The absurdist stuff wasn't terribly popular at the time I was doing it.

As far as the mechanics go, working with other people on received ideas was for me a very interesting technical problem. I can't say that any of my collaborations engaged my heart, but they engaged the craftsman in me.

I sell well now in Russia. I remember one signing in Russia some years ago where the bookstore had two strongmen to hold the crowds back.

I think it can be quite impossible to think well of yourself, so I prefer not to think about that too much. But I am very pleased, obviously.

The British audience was very important to me. I have always looked away from American to non-American audiences and so this was important.