****** A FIRST DOZEN SINCERE ANSWERS BY VYACHESLAV RYBAKOV *****
1. As I imagine it, fandom in the current sense of the word is
va began to take shape ten to fifteen years ago and was hungry, mainly
in a different way, fiction, an alternative to the reading matter that drove
"Young Guard" in stagnant and post-stagnant times. He's thirsty
gave it to read, longed to re-read, longed to translate what was officially
solid structures were not printed or translated, I longed to look at the
where there were still rare videos, I was eager to exchange unofficial products
tion... It is difficult to overestimate his cultural role at that time.
Fandom was the only reference group, moreover, the main one
a breeding ground for science fiction writers who have rejected the keratinized tissue
by the official publishing house. He was a collective propagandist
Tom and an agitator. Professionals gradually began to grow out of it.
nal writers, professional translators, professional
critics, professional literary agents, professional publishers. And,
as soon as the heavy shackles fell, these that began to grow immediately took
and they grew up into people who professionally do some kind of connection
business with fantasy. And those who didn’t grow up and didn’t start doing
business, they simply became the first and closest circle of consumers
this type of literature. They became just readers. In the best possible
in the native, not at all derogatory sense of the word. They're probably
what do they dosome other business - they design, trade, steal,
they teach, sit in parliaments, shoot... But their business is not with the NF
connected, only they themselves, as readers, are connected with it.
What does fandom mean to a science fiction writer? Sorry, but why
We, in our rocket-goblin ghetto, are always trying to open
a bicycle, and usually with a spoke instead of a saddle? What
Readers matter to a writer - who would have thought
pose the question in this form? What is the importance of listeners to
musician? Yes, two professional composers can silently
and silence, restrainedly clicking their tongues, enjoy the scores
each other - but then these scores still sound! Should sound
chat in the halls, on discs, in squares. Entire orchestras spoil them!
What does air mean, after all, to a bird? Water for
fish? This reformulation looks completely schizophrenic,
really? If anyone doesn’t know the answers to these questions, I advise you here:
what: catch a fish, put it on the bank about twenty meters from
surf strip and watch it for a minute... or a little more...
she. In a word, until the fish goes sour. When it smells like rotten meat,
you can exclaim: “Eureka! Now I know!”
But even more schizophrenic is the situation when water speaks
He says to the fish: “Listen, you’ve been swimming here for a week without a year, but I’m eternal.
I've seen a million people like you. Ursula the fish always swam
from malefin, then from the female. Farmer the fish shook its tail
rhythm of biharmonic oscillations: dead-resurrected, dead-resurrected...
And Bulychev’s fish spawned so many eggs that you couldn’t even burst
catch up. But still, try to do everything like they do, don’t show off.
grow up."
To build your high for your partner in the dual system sign-
the right to dictate one's demands to him is always fatal.
flax for both. The peasants, realizing that without their bread the city
will die, they suggested, as you know, that Stalin should dance: they say, then
we'll hand over the grain. Stalin danced - collectivization. Merli and in go-
childbirth, and in the villages, only in the Kremlin there was enough food. You need
this?
No one will ever be able to deprive the reader of the right and, in essence,
the inevitable state of loving some works and not loving others
ge, accept those authors and not accept these, pay for something,
and walk past something without even glancing at the monotonously colorful
cover. This is the normal operation of feedback, without
whose art will never be understood by the people and will never
it will be clear to the people. But if the reader briefly begins to discover
to give the writer a button, saying: “Old man, you’ve messed up here—
chill. If I were you, instead of a cyber double, I would immediately enter...", then
Let him not be offended when he hears in response: “Go and enter it. There you go, girls
are bored."
2-3. For a long time I could not understand why the phrase seemed vague to me
acquaintance, andfinally remembered. "All cats are mortal. Socrates is mortal."
Therefore, Socrates is a cat." At approximately this level the logic in
paragraph 2.
As far as I know, Andrei Mikhailovich Stolyarov needs
pay a lot so that he would express not his own, but someone else’s
same opinion, and even then it is unknown whether he will agree. As far as I'm concerned
it is known that Boris Natanovich Strugatsky is also not a fan of singing with
someone else's voice. He probably may not say what he thinks or
say what he thinks - like any person, by the way -
but he will say what he wants to say at the moment
he. I do not rule out that on many issues the positions of Strugatsky and
Stolyarov really coincide. I do not rule out that Strugatsky,
seeing in Stolyarov a person capable of not only trusting paper
his sorrows, but also to get things done, trying as much as possible,
support him in his efforts. I do not rule out that Strugatsky
believes that "Terra Fantastica" will eventually become something different
a powerful but extremely reputable publishing house that publishes
fiction, which is fundamentally different from entertainment-commercial
coy, and at every opportunity he tries to support his
the publishing house is the authority; and this is how the stars are positioned,
that for an outside observer "Terra Fantastica" is associated
primarily with the Yutanov-Stolyarov couple. That such a position
is fraught with isolation of the publishing house -especially in conditions of decreasing
the number of books published by this publishing house - apparently missed -
is overlooked by all three, or at least not perceived
them as a serious danger. But maybe I'm wrong here
I; wait and see. In any case, Yutanov published the novel
Lukyanenko, and Ivanov’s stories - when he had such an opportunity.
4. I consider Andrei Mikhailovich my friend, and not at all
intends to publicly discuss his character traits. I guess Stolya-
Rov really believes that his place is among the ranks of science fiction writers
is set somewhere between 1 and 1.5. And if this is so, then he believes it
not unreasonably. In any case, in terms of business acumen, professional
national demands on oneself and efficiency to find fi-
a guru comparable to Stolyarov is difficult. Regarding
what exactly and how exactly he writes... For example, it seems to me
that from the pages of many of his latest works literally emanates
arctic desert. That he, like Kai, is trying to put everything out of
ice floes the word "eternity" in the hope of finally receiving from Snezhnaya
The queen's long-awaited skates. He is fine about this opinion of mine
aware. And he doesn't care about him. And rightly so. So he's an artist
nick, not a craftsman working to order - even if implicit.
Regarding the pedestal. For some reason, neither Medvedev nor Pishche-
nko, neither Surkis nor many others will be erected on Strugatsk-com failed. Neither by destroying the pedestal, nor by sealing
crawling on him. This in itself should be thought provoking.
leniya. Strugatsky, sorry, is not yet senile enough to substitute
his pedestal is not the one he, Strugatsky, is on this pedestal
wants.
But by and large, this whole pedestal collision in general
seems to me the fruit of paranoia.
I share many of Shchegolev’s theses. In particular, I agree with
the fact that the “new wave” did not and could not defeat anyone and
cannot, because the so-called war is happening here between whites
chess pieces and a diamond card suit, and even on a ke-
Gelbane. I agree that talking about not creating structures,
creating structures looks like pharisaism. As for the exchange
in unparliamentary expressions - honestly, stupid unappe-
Stolyarov’s attitude evokes more respect in me than the col-
Shchegolev’s despair with its helplessness, soreness and small
rank. There is clearly a fatal mental incompatibility.
Stolyarov knows for sure, by name, who is mediocre, and was quite
I am sure that others know this just as well; it doesn't even occur to him
it has come that the opposition to distancing oneself from mediocrity can be
drink from one of those from whom Stolyarov cannot distance himself at all
was going to. But it didn’t occur to Shchegolev that if someone was called
are considered mediocre, then this is not about him. Mutualoperation complexes
hoists; classic version of telephone conversation for the deaf with the network
for the poor. And we still dream of contacts with other civilizations!
I remember, Shchegolev, who was once my ward - remember ins-
title of "guardianship" in the seminar? - and at that time I constantly praised
defiant in defiance of many (he is very, even in his early works,
was emotionally close to me, much closer to Stolyarov), released
finally a book. In response to my humorous remark: “When the
do you think?" (by that time, I think I had already bought it myself) Sasha was growing
vehemently slammed his eyes and seemed to seriously feel guilty
cottony, muttered: “Oh, I don’t have copies for the people I need.”
Enough..." I felt funny and a little sorry for Sasha. But be on
If I were Stolyarov, the reaction would probably have been different. "So I already
I don't think it's necessary? Wheel!" Well that's the downside
assertiveness, efficiency and determination.
5. The prestige of the award depends on many factors. Here
and the duration of its existence, and the degree of respect and trust in
members of the jury, and the composition of the awardees (does the jury express the opinion
masses, or not), and the material component of the prize, and
much more. The longest, as far as I remember, exists
Aelita", she should have been self-important - but the second and third points
They left no stone unturned on its prestige. On the fourth
the most prestigious position maybeturn out to be the Belyaev Prize, but
some aspects of her birth still cause cries
rumors and, moreover, in the eyes of many it is hopelessly compromised
she overhauled herself by surrendering to Zvyagintsev. However, the short period of her su-
The existence of representative samples does not yet allow us to make them.
And just two inches from the pot to the big-bodied “Wanderer,” who
left his mother's womb with such a cast-iron clang that he involuntarily
I remember the opening phrase from the poem, which amused the Maleevites for a long time -
some girl said: “The entrance hole began to grind. How
so,” the heroine is perplexed, “after all, I only lubricated him
a month ago!" Behind this grinding sound it was impossible to hear a single
a lot of calm words. Although what exactly is the grinding about? After all
“Snails” also received the same things from Stolyarov in previous years,
and, if I'm not mistaken, "Interpresscons" - and the heavens did not fall.
What happened now? Here's what: they gave it. But not Strugatsky, and
not us. And who? Yes, some writers... And right away: restriction of freedom
creativity, imposing a priority direction in literature...
In general, of course, the most prestigious this year were
"Snail" and "Interpresscon" in large form. Because they are half-
I read.
6. There can be no absolutely objective bonus, and therefore there is no
may be the most prestigious award, just as there cannot be the most
prestigious genre of literature and the most prestigiousdirections in li-
literature Each direction should have its own bonus, and this is
will only contribute to the crystallization of directions and expansion
their spectrum. As for me - they say, “what does non-participation look like
"Gravileta" is on the final list..." - then see for yourself how it is
looks. I'll just explain this.
Chertkov, who called me on the eve of Interpresscon and
warned that I didn’t even make a face as a candidate, it seemed that I was
I am much more upset by this circumstance than I am. This fact makes me
did not so much offend as make one suspect for a while
remember that, without noticing it, I deviated from the highway
development of Russian literature into some archaic slobbering
snotty gullies, and among those who write real prose are real men-
rank has no place for me. Which is what I made a corresponding presentation about
Strugatsky on the very first evening in Repino. Trying to convince
me and not succeeding, Boris Natanovich asked me to be patient with
leaving the jury of "The Wanderer" at least before the end of the con at least from
respect for him, Boris Natanovich, and for his health. Of course,
that’s exactly what I did - although such a formulation of the question is not
could not, in turn, affect my own health
rovier.
However, observing how events developed further and, in particular,
after hearing monstrous and really unsubstantiated accusations,
the jury of "The Wanderer" is biased,fraud, corruption and
corruption, realizing that my departure would not be perceived as
an act of personal artistic choice, but as evidence of the mafia
knowledge of the rest of the Strangers, I decided that it would be better to blow up the Strangers from within
Nika" and the structures that have developed around it will be much more
unworthy than to simply remain in these structures permanently
a distinct minority. Everyone understands this word in their own way, but
nevertheless, these understandings coincide to a fair extent - so here we are
and so on a little. And if some of us break what we have succeeded
to create for others of us, it’s worthless to all of us. I'm not only talking anymore
about "The Wanderer".
7. Low probability, small. And the probability that Lazarchuk
will receive the Nobel Prize, great? And the likelihood that Stolyarov is still
Once he gets Belyaevka, is it great? Why should they stop writing if
not big? You've just gone crazy with these bonuses! And most likely
the fact that the thirty-three-year-old Rybakov shket is entrusted with
Comrade Vorotnikov and will forever become the youngest laureate of the State
RSFSR Prize (forever - because there is no country with that name anymore)
was it big? Well, I got it. Did you feel better after that, or what? Higher
taller, more beautiful, smarter in mind? "Roman-newspaper" publish it
started?
Of course, awards and associated advertising add weight.
True, sometimes they reduce it, but this is a special article. In a certain
Award degrees stimulate creativity. Butwhy was the prize conceived-
known as a stimulant of a certain direction - even if so, although
this is not a fact - it definitely needs to be reversed and adapted to the larger
the direction closest to you? Who is trying to suppress whom here?
8-9. Enough. Write as you like - some kind of award yes
get it, if it really hits home. There are already six awards, or even
seven, and there are about twenty decent science fiction writers at most. In three
We'll all be there for a year.
10. I regard the invitation to the jury of “The Wanderer” as recognition
negation of his literary merits, which “Terra” is by no means inclined
was to be given for use to some other group, but wanted
quietly dispose of and neutralize in a circle, as Tyurin would say,
friends.
11. I have no opinion on this issue.
12. I have a bad attitude. But, again, you have to be kinder, ter-
pimee. "Terra" is publishing fewer and fewer books, and when will it be possible to reverse this?
no one knows this trend. It is possible that for the founding
the publishing house's prize was the only chance to get my own
a military prize, then there would be nothing for it. Let's understand and forgive.
After all, the publishing house is good, worthy of any award! Why everyone
Did you suddenly forget about this?
13. This is already at the level of delirium. And delivery without permission
Fleishman's Oscar or Nebula doesn't offend him, Fleishman?
Or is it also insulting? What was he, Fleishman, actually waiting for? What
every document of the wandering jury will be wornfor him to sign?
That on every piece of paper there will be a visa boldly displayed: “I approve.
Fleischman" or, even more likely, "I do not approve. Fleishman"? How can they
several people, having made one or another decision, offend others with it
people who did not have the slightest involvement in the process of developing this decision
what's the matter? And the fact that the acceleration of free fall is near
the surface of the earth turned out to be equal to 1 "zhe" without the consent of the fandom,
Will the fandom survive somehow? Stolyarov, in the heat of controversy, took a long time to
pointed out that only the writer in our country who gave the Wanderer
but buddy - but these are almost all the words that can cling to
only those who deliberately want to cause trouble. But what if we take it in essence?
Let's imagine a family whose members, having clicked program buttons,
finally calmed down in front of the TV - however, the grandfather and grandson, disdaining
broadcast, spat and went to the kitchen to drink tea with jam; and suddenly
- clatter at the door, neighbors upstairs. “Are you watching Stalker?
Yes, the Strugatsky-Tarkovskys bought you, for sure! Yes, according to the second Russian-
They're playing "The Silence of the Lambs"! Well, the skins are for sale, switch -
Be quick!"
Question to ask: who offended whom in this situation?
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