Writers Quote by Walter Mosley
““If there's another writer, like Ross McDonald or Raymond Chandler, and all they're writing are mysteries, they won't be accepted," he said. "And that's problematic. A lot of so-called literary novels are just not very good. They're not well-written, they're not well-thought-out. They have pyrotechnics of intelligence. "On the other hand, some of the best writers and speculative ideas are in science-fiction. The science-fiction genre is completely, completely segregated. And these people are writing good stuff. They're writing about where you're going, which means they're talking about where you are.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 2015
Literary markets often marginalize genre writers, yet speculative fiction can explore profound societal questions.
In simple terms: Genre writers are often excluded, but sci‑fi can be deep.
Key Takeaway
Value speculative ideas alongside literary merit.
Themes
literature
genre bias
speculative fiction
creativity
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- publishing decisions
- creative writing workshops
- genre festivals
Key Concepts
cultural criticism
market dynamics
authorial identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Should literary value be defined by form or content?
- How can genre writers gain broader acceptance?
A Different Perspective
Genre hierarchies can limit diverse voices.