These are the subjects of *The Outspoken and the Incendiary: Interviews with Radical Speculative Fiction Writers* (PM Press)—a collection of conversations conducted by science fiction author and activist Terry Bisson (1942–2024) with writers who were often friends and kindred spirits, sharing similar literary interests and forms while maintaining a commitment to political engagement. The tone—grounded in long-standing trust and mutual respect—allows for direct inquiries, ranging from the probing to the fundamental (echoing themes from Aaron Ronald Bodenheimer’s *Warum? Von der Obszönität des Fragens*): What’s your advice to a wannabe writer? Where do your ideas come from? How did you get into writing? Do you believe in life after death? Doesn’t space travel interest you at all? Ever crossed paths with the Warhol crowd back in the day? What’s next? Why? Are you a good cook? What questions do you wish I had asked? Do you listen to music when you write? What’s your muse? Does Tarot work? And the single question put to every interviewee: What kind of car do you drive? These questions are answered straightforwardly—without beating around the bush, yet with friendliness and illuminating honesty—by giants and luminaries of the sci-fi genre: Eleanor Arnason, Michael Blumlein, John Crowley, Samuel R. Delany, Cory “Enshittification” Doctorow, Meg Elison, Karen Joy Fowler, Eileen Gunn, Elizabeth Hand, Cara Hoffman, Nalo Hopkinson, James Patrick Kelly, John Kessel, Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Lethem, Ursula K. Le Guin, Ken MacLeod, Nick Mamatas, Michael Moorcock, Paul Park, Gary Phillips, Marge Piercy, Rachel Pollack, Rudy Rucker, Kim Stanley Robinson, Carter Scholz, Nisi Shawl, John Shirley, Vandana Singh, and Norman Spinrad. The book itself is framed by a foreword from Jonathan Lethem and an afterword by Nalo Hopkinson. I am explicitly refraining from naming one author—who later appeared in the Epstein files and was asked, of all things, “Ever met Woody Allen?”—though it is certainly welcome that the “Outspoken Authors” series, launched and edited by Terry Bisson and published by PM Press, has been continued by authors Nisi Shawl and Nick Mamatas
