As for what I wrote in this blog post – it is true, but also a little tongue in cheek. The difference between us and you is that in my home country, Australia, for example, there are also many SF/F readers and publishers and successful writers. So the silly people who think we are childish are little more than a mild irritation.

Take heart and keep trying. There are always inquisitive minds out there – no matter what the nationality – who will want to know: "What if –?"

Write for them. They'll love you.

And then, there is "us", a bunch of heroic hearts (to quote Thoreau) determined to keep writing SF/F, encouraging each other and taking strength from each other, reading as much as we can, supporting fantasy as much as we can, taking pride in every new (and old) author's success as one more small victory and trying, always trying to surpass any obstacles. I'm sure you understand, having no doubt passed through this more than once.

I am surprised and sad to find that this happens also outside the borders of our small and savage country. Yet it is "comforting", in a way, to find that a good fantasy writer, with many published novels, shares the same views and questions with a bunch of amateurs, struggling really hard to become professionals. It is good to feel that all of us are in the same boat, sharing the same dreams and fears. Let us all hope that the future will give birth to people who will understand and value fantasy. 🙂

Perhaps you can comfort yourself with the thought that twenty years from now, you will be lauded as "the pioneer of modern Greek science fiction and fantasy writing…"

Have you thought of writing young adult stuff, aimed at 12 year olds and above, and trying to entice a new generation of fantasy readers? Did Greek kids read Harry Potter with enthusiasm?

Sonya

Sonya