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Mythmakers and Lawbreakers: Anarchist Writers on Fiction
“Basically, anarchy is in fact the only political position that is actually possible.”—from the interview with Alan Moore, author of V for Vendetta We all know that there is a deeply entwined relationship between personal politics and works of fiction. For centuries, authors have used the veil of fiction to cast a critical eye toward the larger society around think of Émile Zola, Victor Hugo, Issac Asimov, Margaret Atwood, Aldous Huxley, J.R.R. Tolkien, H.G. Wells, and even Mary Shelley. Now, for the first time, in an unprecedented new release from AK Press, some of the biggest names in contemporary fiction discuss this relationship with a specific focus on anarchist politics. Sci-fi powerhouses Ursula K. LeGuin, Alan Moore, Michael Moorcock, and Lewis Shiner join activist authors Derrick Jensen, Starhawk, Cristy C. Road, and a variety of other up-and-coming young writers in a series of interviews that explore fiction’s deeply political roots. Ranging in scope from serious political discussions to hilarious personal anecdotes, the interviews collected here paint an intimate portrait of the author as a political agent. Compiled and annotated by SteamPunk Magazine founder Margaret Killjoy, and with an introduction by Kim Stanley Robinson, Mythmakers and Lawbreakers is an engaging and highly readable book—a must-read for any serious fan of sci-fi or political fiction, and a useful tool for both new and seasoned authors interested in developing their own political utopias.
140 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Killjoy
56 books1,344 followersMargaret Killjoy is a transfeminine author and editor currently based in the Appalachian mountains. Her most recent book is an anarchist demon hunters novella called The Barrow Will Send What it May, published by Tor.com. She spends her time crafting and complaining about authoritarian power structures and she blogs at birdsbeforethestorm.net.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 15, 2010
Dang. A book about anarchism and writing fiction. What could be more up my alley...
The interviews were all pretty sweet. There is a crystal clear distinction between the authors who are reclusive type anarchisty thinkers (Ursula K. Leguin, Alan Moore) and the younger anarchist authors clearly immersed in contemporary anarchist subculture (crimethinc., octavio). Mostly that the younger (I assume) subculture saturated writers took the opportunity to talk some trash and fight the good in-fight, whereas the older more "established" writers were coming from what reads like an "outsider's" perspective on the basic ideas of anarchism and it's intersection with fiction writing. I enjoyed both because I'm a sucker for some grade A home grown anarchist beef, but really only the more positive stuff is anything I want to fall asleep thinking about.
My biggest problem with the book was that I constantly had to fight back petty jealousy and rage that the author got to interview some really freaking amazing writers who have had a silly amount of impact on my life. To the author's credit, though, they did us nerds proud by bringing D&D into nearly every conversation.
I could write a bunch more about this, but I would say to the 2.5 people who may actually end up reading this that if this book sounds interesting to you, or you like anarchism, or you like any of these authors, you should just give it a read. It's quick and painless and reasonably rewarding, especially if you are any kind of anarcho-nerd (which you probably are if you're reading this.).
The interviews were all pretty sweet. There is a crystal clear distinction between the authors who are reclusive type anarchisty thinkers (Ursula K. Leguin, Alan Moore) and the younger anarchist authors clearly immersed in contemporary anarchist subculture (crimethinc., octavio). Mostly that the younger (I assume) subculture saturated writers took the opportunity to talk some trash and fight the good in-fight, whereas the older more "established" writers were coming from what reads like an "outsider's" perspective on the basic ideas of anarchism and it's intersection with fiction writing. I enjoyed both because I'm a sucker for some grade A home grown anarchist beef, but really only the more positive stuff is anything I want to fall asleep thinking about.
My biggest problem with the book was that I constantly had to fight back petty jealousy and rage that the author got to interview some really freaking amazing writers who have had a silly amount of impact on my life. To the author's credit, though, they did us nerds proud by bringing D&D into nearly every conversation.
I could write a bunch more about this, but I would say to the 2.5 people who may actually end up reading this that if this book sounds interesting to you, or you like anarchism, or you like any of these authors, you should just give it a read. It's quick and painless and reasonably rewarding, especially if you are any kind of anarcho-nerd (which you probably are if you're reading this.).
Read
May 7, 2019Fascinating and thought-provoking reading. A lot of different perspectives on anarchism, activism, and the role of fiction. I am familiar with very few of the authors interviewed, but that didn't take away from my ability to engage with the material. It's interesting to reflect on how technology and the publishing industry have changed over the past decade, and how that might change some of these discussions.
There are, of course, various things I disagree with in many of the interviews, but I'm glad for it, since that forces me to ask questions. On the other hand, there are a couple of the interviewees that I have some deeper disagreements with (most notably, Derrick Jensen, who has since the publication of this book said some very transphobic things as well as being quite dismissive of anarchists) and I am frustrated, although not surprised, by how the interviewees as well as the lists of recommendations at the end are so predominantly male.
There are, of course, various things I disagree with in many of the interviews, but I'm glad for it, since that forces me to ask questions. On the other hand, there are a couple of the interviewees that I have some deeper disagreements with (most notably, Derrick Jensen, who has since the publication of this book said some very transphobic things as well as being quite dismissive of anarchists) and I am frustrated, although not surprised, by how the interviewees as well as the lists of recommendations at the end are so predominantly male.
January 23, 2010
This is pretty interesting stuff. It gets a bit redundant by about 2/3 of the way through. Some of it is sort of like reading celebrity interviews in something like People magazine, only more niche-market of course, but still with the more famous authors it's a little bit... fawning or fannish. Then the other lesser-known authors are mostly traveller kid types like the editor, so it sort of devolves into a friendly compare-notes kind of chat about lifestyle and "war stories" and such. But, overall, the objective of the book is great, to explore this shadowy undercurrent of storytelling that addresses an underrepresented school of political thought, and the book is about 70% successful at drawing out some interesting insights on the subject from this group of authors.
When I saw the editor speak they had a very entertaining style of presenting ideas both directly related to the book and indirectly related, including the use of a big sketchpad with cartoony drawings. I'd like the book to somehow be more reflective of Magpie's sort of flitting, ADD, multi-tasking multi-media mind and manner, perhaps with more innovative graphic design or something.
But anyway, I'm glad the book exists and I appreciate all the work that went into it.
When I saw the editor speak they had a very entertaining style of presenting ideas both directly related to the book and indirectly related, including the use of a big sketchpad with cartoony drawings. I'd like the book to somehow be more reflective of Magpie's sort of flitting, ADD, multi-tasking multi-media mind and manner, perhaps with more innovative graphic design or something.
But anyway, I'm glad the book exists and I appreciate all the work that went into it.
December 25, 2015
A great collection of interviews that intersects anarchism and fiction. Margaret Killjoy was able to gather in this book the thoughts of authors from all corners of the creative world. Award winning sci-fi writers, comic book legends, underground zine activists, colaborative authors, they all talk with Margaret about anarchism and the role of fiction. The interviews are good, with relevant questions, and they show how diverse ideas can be about anarchism. It is an exciting read, and an oportunity to know what authors think about their creative work and how they look at society. There are three extensive appendices, with lists of fiction writers and stories that represent directly or in some way anarchist societies or individuals. Both the interviews and the references are very helpful and allow for further study.
January 5, 2016
"Any book that doesn’t start from the fact that this culture is killing the planet and work to resolve that is unforgivable. We’d be better off with blank pages."
-
"I guess when I was 17 or 18 and I started doing Food Not Bombs and working with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in south Florida. ... I was becoming an activist outside of my brain, outside of creating art. And by being more involved in the world, I started thinking about my identity: who fucked me over, why am I the way I am, why were Green Day the only people who understood me when I was 14?"
-
I am getting beside myself trying to write this review in a coherent, organized fashion. My favorite zinesters for once taken seriously as creators of culture, political theory, and radical praxis! Calls to arms for the hopelessly romantic; calls to imagination for the hopelessly political! Collective writing processes! Punks!
Mythmakers and Lawbreakers is a collection of interviews with contemporary anarchist fiction writers by a contemporary anarchist fiction writer. The Table of Contents alone is a fantastic collection of diverse ideologies, writing styles, and fame. Zinesters and share the page with big name novelists like and graphic novelist . , the author of epic anti-civilization tomes, is right alongside an "anonymous agent," responsible for short and sweet semi-fictionalized, somewhat plagiarized True, capital T, political adventure narratives. There are a lot of authors featured who I had never heard of, including the no-longer-anonymous Steampunk, , and punk-punk . Anonymity reins, and most names seem fictionalized. No need to kill your heroes when they symbolically kill themselves for you! ("Just like punk rock—- never put authors on pedestals." -Jimmy T. Hand)
Editor asks mostly the same questions of all his interviewees, but gets a vast array of answers. Still, some themes develop. Unexpected for me was the number of authors who use some sort of collective process with which to write. This ranged from the collective use of one pseudonym by many authors, like the , to Professor Calamity's who, together, "hash out the story and then huddle around the computer and take turns typing." Another major theme for anarchist authors was self-publishing. This is reflected in the number of zinesters interviewed, many of whose bodies of work may only be found in hand-stapled, folded over 8.5x11 photocopies handed out for $2 each from scummy travel backpacks. I love this shit!
A third theme to come out of these interviews wasn't so surprising: politics. Anarchist fiction writers grapple with politics all the time. The politics of writing fiction when the world is dying (see the Derrick Jensen quote, above). Creating an anarchist utopia that is more reality and less utopia. Accurately reflecting the political struggles of everyday life-- including the lives of punks, traveler kids, hackers, pagans, earth first! eco-warriors, and direct action activists. In every interview, Killjoy asks what it means to be an anarchist and a fiction writer. The responses he gets demonstrate how fiction is a political act. While most anarchist writing of our day is limited to real-life ("boring as fuck" -crimethinc.) theory and analysis, anarchist fiction writers play the important role of dreaming what could be and distilling useful stories from what is.
This is best illustrated in the large appendixes at the back of the book. Killjoy lists 20 pages worth of short bios of anarchist fiction writers through the ages, and another 6 pages of "also of notes," writers whose work was anarchist or espoused anarchist ideas, but who did not themselves identify as anarchists (a nice touch, by the way, to limit ones' list of anarchist authors only to those who self-identify as such). Fiction is a powerful tool for transmitting ideas through time and making them accessible beyond subculture. , , , are some of the big-name writers whose work is well-known and well-regarded in mainstream US culture, but who Killjoy's research proves can be claimed unabashedly by the anarchist milieu. Finally, Killyjoy includes a few lists of stories to check out once your appetite it whetted, including "Stories that explore anarchist societies" and my favorite: "Stories that feature anarchists as villains."
(written in between drinkin whiskey and makin out in the back stacks of the library)
-
"I guess when I was 17 or 18 and I started doing Food Not Bombs and working with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in south Florida. ... I was becoming an activist outside of my brain, outside of creating art. And by being more involved in the world, I started thinking about my identity: who fucked me over, why am I the way I am, why were Green Day the only people who understood me when I was 14?"
-
I am getting beside myself trying to write this review in a coherent, organized fashion. My favorite zinesters for once taken seriously as creators of culture, political theory, and radical praxis! Calls to arms for the hopelessly romantic; calls to imagination for the hopelessly political! Collective writing processes! Punks!
Mythmakers and Lawbreakers is a collection of interviews with contemporary anarchist fiction writers by a contemporary anarchist fiction writer. The Table of Contents alone is a fantastic collection of diverse ideologies, writing styles, and fame. Zinesters and share the page with big name novelists like and graphic novelist . , the author of epic anti-civilization tomes, is right alongside an "anonymous agent," responsible for short and sweet semi-fictionalized, somewhat plagiarized True, capital T, political adventure narratives. There are a lot of authors featured who I had never heard of, including the no-longer-anonymous Steampunk, , and punk-punk . Anonymity reins, and most names seem fictionalized. No need to kill your heroes when they symbolically kill themselves for you! ("Just like punk rock—- never put authors on pedestals." -Jimmy T. Hand)
Editor asks mostly the same questions of all his interviewees, but gets a vast array of answers. Still, some themes develop. Unexpected for me was the number of authors who use some sort of collective process with which to write. This ranged from the collective use of one pseudonym by many authors, like the , to Professor Calamity's who, together, "hash out the story and then huddle around the computer and take turns typing." Another major theme for anarchist authors was self-publishing. This is reflected in the number of zinesters interviewed, many of whose bodies of work may only be found in hand-stapled, folded over 8.5x11 photocopies handed out for $2 each from scummy travel backpacks. I love this shit!
A third theme to come out of these interviews wasn't so surprising: politics. Anarchist fiction writers grapple with politics all the time. The politics of writing fiction when the world is dying (see the Derrick Jensen quote, above). Creating an anarchist utopia that is more reality and less utopia. Accurately reflecting the political struggles of everyday life-- including the lives of punks, traveler kids, hackers, pagans, earth first! eco-warriors, and direct action activists. In every interview, Killjoy asks what it means to be an anarchist and a fiction writer. The responses he gets demonstrate how fiction is a political act. While most anarchist writing of our day is limited to real-life ("boring as fuck" -crimethinc.) theory and analysis, anarchist fiction writers play the important role of dreaming what could be and distilling useful stories from what is.
This is best illustrated in the large appendixes at the back of the book. Killjoy lists 20 pages worth of short bios of anarchist fiction writers through the ages, and another 6 pages of "also of notes," writers whose work was anarchist or espoused anarchist ideas, but who did not themselves identify as anarchists (a nice touch, by the way, to limit ones' list of anarchist authors only to those who self-identify as such). Fiction is a powerful tool for transmitting ideas through time and making them accessible beyond subculture. , , , are some of the big-name writers whose work is well-known and well-regarded in mainstream US culture, but who Killjoy's research proves can be claimed unabashedly by the anarchist milieu. Finally, Killyjoy includes a few lists of stories to check out once your appetite it whetted, including "Stories that explore anarchist societies" and my favorite: "Stories that feature anarchists as villains."
(written in between drinkin whiskey and makin out in the back stacks of the library)
February 5, 2010
When the term “anarchy” is heard, most people think of the “circle-A” graffiti on crumbling buildings and the T-shirts of punk rock kids, or else imagine a state of complete lawlessness and the breakdown of society. Popular culture does nothing to dispel these collective thoughts. In theory and philosophy, anarchy refers to the absence of a state or rulers and a society in which there is no vertical hierarchy of class, but instead a horizontal equality of societal participants. Margaret Killjoy, the editor of Steampunk Magazine and an avowed anarchist, collected fourteen interviews with varying writers in the compact book Mythmakers and Lawbreakers; the common thread between the featured writers is that each is a professed anarchist, writes positively about anarchist societies, or maintains anarchist sympathies.
Reading each of the interviews, I quickly learned that there are as many varying definitions of anarchy as there are practitioners and theorizers. There is a vague commonality of a desire to see an end to free-market capitalism and democracy (the writers interviewed are mostly American and British) and the desire for complete equality and a gift- or barter-based economy, but otherwise each author has his or her own personal philosophy as it ties in to the theory of anarchy. This is not a criticism, and it does not seem as if anarchists are so loosely connected as to not have any sense of community at all. Rather, it appears as if there are just factions within the anarchist community, perhaps comparable to American democracy's political parties. Each interview in its turn is wholly fascinating to read, as the subjects are certainly outside of the mainstream, literature-wise. The most recognizable names are feminist sci-fi author Ursula K. LeGuin, graphic novel writer Alan Moore, fantasy writer Michael Moorcock, and eco-feminist/neo-pagan author Starhawk.
Margaret Killjoy (who, despite his traditionally feminine moniker, is male) is mostly interested in learning from his interview subjects how they define the intersection of anarchy and fiction, or how anarchist sympathies have defined their writing. This may be considered the theme of the book, although each writer tends to wax tangential about choice pet subjects rather than directly answering the question asked. Killjoy is an obvious fan of each featured writer and brings his own knowledge of anarchy and literature to the fore in his prepared and improvised questions.
One common thread throughout the varying writers' remarks is anarchy and its benefit to feminism. Anarchy would necessitate a breakdown of the patriarchy and optimally result in full equality of citizens. This is a beautiful idea, but I'm perhaps too cynical to accept that this could be the case; I tend to believe that peoples' inherent prejudices would still rule the day, resulting in unequal divisions of labor and other gender discrimination. This and other queries and criticisms occurred to me while learning more about the varying schools of thought in anarchist philosophy. Its practitioners, at least within Killjoy's book, are very idealistic and enthusiastic about their ideas, but also seem to think that these ideas could easily be instituted as the prevailing societal norm. This to me seems hopelessly naive. However, the book itself, the interviewees, and Margaret Killjoy are all refreshingly intelligent and passionate about their work and politics.
Review by Natalie Ballard
Reading each of the interviews, I quickly learned that there are as many varying definitions of anarchy as there are practitioners and theorizers. There is a vague commonality of a desire to see an end to free-market capitalism and democracy (the writers interviewed are mostly American and British) and the desire for complete equality and a gift- or barter-based economy, but otherwise each author has his or her own personal philosophy as it ties in to the theory of anarchy. This is not a criticism, and it does not seem as if anarchists are so loosely connected as to not have any sense of community at all. Rather, it appears as if there are just factions within the anarchist community, perhaps comparable to American democracy's political parties. Each interview in its turn is wholly fascinating to read, as the subjects are certainly outside of the mainstream, literature-wise. The most recognizable names are feminist sci-fi author Ursula K. LeGuin, graphic novel writer Alan Moore, fantasy writer Michael Moorcock, and eco-feminist/neo-pagan author Starhawk.
Margaret Killjoy (who, despite his traditionally feminine moniker, is male) is mostly interested in learning from his interview subjects how they define the intersection of anarchy and fiction, or how anarchist sympathies have defined their writing. This may be considered the theme of the book, although each writer tends to wax tangential about choice pet subjects rather than directly answering the question asked. Killjoy is an obvious fan of each featured writer and brings his own knowledge of anarchy and literature to the fore in his prepared and improvised questions.
One common thread throughout the varying writers' remarks is anarchy and its benefit to feminism. Anarchy would necessitate a breakdown of the patriarchy and optimally result in full equality of citizens. This is a beautiful idea, but I'm perhaps too cynical to accept that this could be the case; I tend to believe that peoples' inherent prejudices would still rule the day, resulting in unequal divisions of labor and other gender discrimination. This and other queries and criticisms occurred to me while learning more about the varying schools of thought in anarchist philosophy. Its practitioners, at least within Killjoy's book, are very idealistic and enthusiastic about their ideas, but also seem to think that these ideas could easily be instituted as the prevailing societal norm. This to me seems hopelessly naive. However, the book itself, the interviewees, and Margaret Killjoy are all refreshingly intelligent and passionate about their work and politics.
Review by Natalie Ballard
May 10, 2021
this is a slow read if you want to really take it all in but absolutely worth it. as a writer, and an anarchist, it felt like reconvening with people you knew in a previous life and it even sowed some seeds for what i want to be writing. there is much to be learned from this book and it already inspired an art piece before i even finished it. this is exactly the canon fodder i need to be able to do what i must, and it fuels the fires a lot of literature ive come across can cover in damp blankets. eternally grateful for this book, the authors interviewed, and Margaret. what an initiative, fresh air in the form of powerful winds to knock down my writers block.
December 17, 2024
Favorite interviews are with Ursula Le Guin, Alan Moore, Lewis Shiner, and Michael Moorcock.
January 26, 2018
"At this point in time, however, a lot of words have been written. There are an awful lot of them. I don't think we need any more words to know that we need to stop this nightmare world around us. Words seem to only push our actions off into the future. But in the darkness they are very nice to have. Our words are burning veins of memory stretching away in every direction, carrying with them lessons from other times and places and people."
-Octavio Buenaventura
This is an interesting and highly variable little collection of interviews. The degree of freedom allows a straightforward impression of the authors represented, which reveals both intelligence and thoughtless will. Many good nascent ideas, however, on true innovation in distribution and publishing.
-Octavio Buenaventura
This is an interesting and highly variable little collection of interviews. The degree of freedom allows a straightforward impression of the authors represented, which reveals both intelligence and thoughtless will. Many good nascent ideas, however, on true innovation in distribution and publishing.
November 8, 2016
Various authors of all sorts of types of writing and users of many forms of publishing methods talk are interviewed by Margaret Killjoy. They specifically ask the authors about their fiction writing, which is really fascinating as I'm a massive fiction reader, and about how anarchism affects the writing. The project starts with an interview with Ursula K Le Guin which is a great way to start anything. People have very different views on the anarchist thought but that is really interesting too as well as people's different answers to the question about what is the purpose of art...
The second bit of this book is a list of other authors and books which bumps up my to-read list...
The second bit of this book is a list of other authors and books which bumps up my to-read list...
June 17, 2018
This book was fascinating. It's made me look at authors I've always enjoyed for entertainment in a whole new light, it's made me look at my own writing differently, and it's made me question my own stance on government.
Of course, some interviews were more interesting to me than others, but overall I really enjoyed reading them. The appendices were interesting as well.
4/5 stars.
Of course, some interviews were more interesting to me than others, but overall I really enjoyed reading them. The appendices were interesting as well.
4/5 stars.
May 19, 2021
A fascinating set of interviews with writers both well known and not. While there are great discussions of anarchism and its various permutations, there are also wonderful insights on the uses and necessity of fiction.
February 12, 2021
Su tuttx: Ursula Le Guin sul "they" al singolare e Moorcock che fa Moorcock.
June 21, 2020
Found this in a book store in Wellington, New Zealand, along with a couple zines (one about the MOVE organization and the police repression they experienced, the other about creating safer spaces in anarchist movements)
This book is really good, i didn’t know all of the people that Margaret interviewed, but still enjoyed almost all the interviews.
The interview with UKLG was amazing and at the end of that one in particular i got pretty teary-eyed realizing i would never be able to her.
This book is really good, i didn’t know all of the people that Margaret interviewed, but still enjoyed almost all the interviews.
The interview with UKLG was amazing and at the end of that one in particular i got pretty teary-eyed realizing i would never be able to her.
March 27, 2010
So you wouldn't naturally put an anarchist press and amazon.com together, but here's the news. You can buy a book entitled Myth makers and Lawbreakers edited by Margaret Killjoy with a forward by Kim Stanley Robinson on amazon. This is a lovely book in terms of feel and size, but wait until you begin reading what these anarchist writers have to say.
In this book that also includes an interview with Ursula K. Le Guin, you will find an interview of one Octavio Buenaventura. I know dear Octavio from way, way back, and I think if you read his interview, you will know a little more about him. I certainly did. For one, I see how in his own writing, Octavio is trying to avoid the old stories told by the mainstream storytellers of yore and create his own. He's also trying to avoid the new mythmakers, the advertisers and the media who are trying to make us believe in slogans such as "the Magic of Macys." He is trying to find new magic that works on different terms, and this struggle is what this little book is all about.
I've had to reframe so much of my thinking by knowing Octavio, and I'm not talking about old stories (some of which I happen to love and will use in my own writing until I'm not able to write). But it's about dealing with thinkers like Octavio. I've had to adjust my perspective on what constitutes work and living and life. I have had to learn to see that a 9 to 5 job is not the only kind of work that can be considered work. I've come to see that stirring things up in a wild way--while not for me--is necessary. I don't like it, but it is necessary.
Constantly and always, knowing Octavio and people like Octavio has made me open. And open some more. Over and over again. Knowing him has made me grow even if the growing hasn't been desirable or fun or even a marginally happy thing at times.
But this little book helped, and I recommend it for your thinking. For your growth.
In this book that also includes an interview with Ursula K. Le Guin, you will find an interview of one Octavio Buenaventura. I know dear Octavio from way, way back, and I think if you read his interview, you will know a little more about him. I certainly did. For one, I see how in his own writing, Octavio is trying to avoid the old stories told by the mainstream storytellers of yore and create his own. He's also trying to avoid the new mythmakers, the advertisers and the media who are trying to make us believe in slogans such as "the Magic of Macys." He is trying to find new magic that works on different terms, and this struggle is what this little book is all about.
I've had to reframe so much of my thinking by knowing Octavio, and I'm not talking about old stories (some of which I happen to love and will use in my own writing until I'm not able to write). But it's about dealing with thinkers like Octavio. I've had to adjust my perspective on what constitutes work and living and life. I have had to learn to see that a 9 to 5 job is not the only kind of work that can be considered work. I've come to see that stirring things up in a wild way--while not for me--is necessary. I don't like it, but it is necessary.
Constantly and always, knowing Octavio and people like Octavio has made me open. And open some more. Over and over again. Knowing him has made me grow even if the growing hasn't been desirable or fun or even a marginally happy thing at times.
But this little book helped, and I recommend it for your thinking. For your growth.
June 15, 2011
My rating for this one teetered between three and four stars. This book is mostly a collection of interviews with authors who have expressed an interest in anarchism that's expressed in their fiction. Many of the interviews are with anarchist activists who happen to have an interest in fiction. In addition, there are four or five interviews with significant figures in speculative fiction/comics (Alan Moore, Ursula LeGuin, for example). Kim Stanley Robinson provides a nifty introduction.
The reason I almost gave the book three stars is that the format became a little tiresome after awhile -- very similar questions being asked of *fairly* similar people. I ended up giving the book a 4-star rating, however, because in the process of discussing anarchist book fairs and anarchist small presses, it provides an alternative to mainstream literary business practices and culture -- one that eschews fame, instead publishing under a collective identity (such as CrimethInc).
I'm not sure I'm sold on anarchism or the way hard-core anarchists re-imagine the publishing industry, but I have to admit to finding it intriguing. It's a radically different, anti-capitalist way getting books in the hands of readers. I would love to see a documentary or read a book about this sort of thing, because it's SO different from the way things work in the other 99% of the world...
The reason I almost gave the book three stars is that the format became a little tiresome after awhile -- very similar questions being asked of *fairly* similar people. I ended up giving the book a 4-star rating, however, because in the process of discussing anarchist book fairs and anarchist small presses, it provides an alternative to mainstream literary business practices and culture -- one that eschews fame, instead publishing under a collective identity (such as CrimethInc).
I'm not sure I'm sold on anarchism or the way hard-core anarchists re-imagine the publishing industry, but I have to admit to finding it intriguing. It's a radically different, anti-capitalist way getting books in the hands of readers. I would love to see a documentary or read a book about this sort of thing, because it's SO different from the way things work in the other 99% of the world...
January 21, 2012
Very inspiring. The authors interviewed actually have wildly varying degrees of anarchist-ness, or political leanings. What makes it interesting is the d.i.y. spirit and the ways the authors have of looking at publishing as a business and writing as a political act, or not. I really enjoyed the casual nature of many of the interviews, and the open-endedness of the discussion. A thread throughout seems to be that we tend to put the author on a pedestal and emphasize the work of art as a commodity. I really enjoyed the discussion of the future and how to steer publishing in general and also storytelling towards a more egalitarian and essential cultural role.
Also, it never occurred to me that the use of language to form works of fiction could be a form of colonization- just like nobody becomes a billionaire completely on their own, nobody uses language in isolation. Ideas and language are communal and prone to evolving. Thus, works of fiction are in a sense not entirely the private property of the author, and could be shared freely, for the benefit of all. Just like other resources. Not sure I am explaining that very well.
But anyway, well worth a read!
Also, it never occurred to me that the use of language to form works of fiction could be a form of colonization- just like nobody becomes a billionaire completely on their own, nobody uses language in isolation. Ideas and language are communal and prone to evolving. Thus, works of fiction are in a sense not entirely the private property of the author, and could be shared freely, for the benefit of all. Just like other resources. Not sure I am explaining that very well.
But anyway, well worth a read!
November 4, 2009
This rules!--er, doesn't rule, but works cooperatively to enhance our understanding of stories and their importance!
I started doing zines in 1993, and I've had fiction in them since I started. From Mishap #17:
"...we fucking need new stories. I'm not making a claim for the greatness of my own, but we need stories whose values and reference points are located within anarchy and our hopes for a better world."
Within Killjoy's collection of interviews nearly every point I would make about the importance of fiction stories is covered. I was steadily marking quotes to reproduce for this review, but there were so many--you'll just have to read this! From Alan Moore and Ursula LeGuin to zinesters and Derrick Jensen, the interviewees are fairly diverse and every one is worth reading. In addition, the appendices contain lists of other anarchist writers, books with sympathetic anarchist characters and ones with anarchists as villains.
Highly recommended.
I started doing zines in 1993, and I've had fiction in them since I started. From Mishap #17:
"...we fucking need new stories. I'm not making a claim for the greatness of my own, but we need stories whose values and reference points are located within anarchy and our hopes for a better world."
Within Killjoy's collection of interviews nearly every point I would make about the importance of fiction stories is covered. I was steadily marking quotes to reproduce for this review, but there were so many--you'll just have to read this! From Alan Moore and Ursula LeGuin to zinesters and Derrick Jensen, the interviewees are fairly diverse and every one is worth reading. In addition, the appendices contain lists of other anarchist writers, books with sympathetic anarchist characters and ones with anarchists as villains.
Highly recommended.
January 24, 2010
When the term “anarchy” is heard, most people think of the “circle-A” graffiti on crumbling buildings and the T-shirts of punk rock kids, or else imagine a state of complete lawlessness and the breakdown of society. Popular culture does nothing to dispel these collective thoughts. In theory and philosophy, anarchy refers to the absence of a state or rulers and a society in which there is no vertical hierarchy of class, but instead a horizontal equality of societal participants. Margaret Killjoy, the editor of Steampunk Magazine and an avowed anarchist, collected fourteen interviews with varying writers in the compact book Mythmakers and Lawbreakers; the common thread between the featured writers is that each is a professed anarchist, writes positively about anarchist societies, or maintains anarchist sympathies.
Read the rest at
Read the rest at
May 20, 2016
If you are a fiction writer, especially one of the anarchist bent, this book is required reading.
Killjoy interviews writers, some more explicitly anarchist than others, about the writing process, anarchism (a given), the role of the writer in the world, propaganda, Dungeons and Dragons, comic books, intent and more, and it makes for not only a fascinating read, but an inspiring one.
There are self-published authors here alongside more well-known ones like Michael Moorcock and Alan Moore. And not a single one of those interviews is a toss-away, either, as each one has something to add to the discussion.
If there is one complaint I have about this book, it is that it isn't nearly long enough. I would have preferred something about four times its size. That's a minor quibble, however, with something this good.
Killjoy interviews writers, some more explicitly anarchist than others, about the writing process, anarchism (a given), the role of the writer in the world, propaganda, Dungeons and Dragons, comic books, intent and more, and it makes for not only a fascinating read, but an inspiring one.
There are self-published authors here alongside more well-known ones like Michael Moorcock and Alan Moore. And not a single one of those interviews is a toss-away, either, as each one has something to add to the discussion.
If there is one complaint I have about this book, it is that it isn't nearly long enough. I would have preferred something about four times its size. That's a minor quibble, however, with something this good.
June 18, 2010
A compilation of interviews with writers who incorporate Anarchism and Anarchist themes in their work. To those who don't understand or misunderstand Anarchism, this book will enlighten. To those who do know something about Anarchism, it is an introduction to the most progressive fiction writers in the world today and a barometer of the growing dissatisfaction with corporate and government authoritarianism. These are not just 'fringe crazies'. These are thoughtful people with an alternative perspective who should be and, increasingly, are being heard.
March 29, 2011
A very interesting collection of interviews with anarchist fiction writers. I like the overall them the author held throughout the book; a story can explore possibilities and have a tendency to stick better versus theory. I have read nothing but non-fiction for the past couple years and I look forward to the refreshing references Margaret offers. The best part about this book, I think, is the anarchist fiction writer appendix.
November 3, 2009
Margaret does an excellent job interviewing anarchist writers, but I wanted more: essays on the history of anarchist fiction, excerpts. Nonetheless, this little volume has inspired me to try my hand at short stories again (maybe a bad thing, as my few attempts have been absolutely dismal!). Books that inspire are my favorite books of all.
August 14, 2010
Interviews with writers of fiction who are anarchists, self-described or otherwise.
Also, if you have a chance to see the "power point presentation" I recommend it.
Also, if you have a chance to see the "power point presentation" I recommend it.
February 26, 2011
I was worried when I bought this that the content might not be worth the price, but this is a good book of interviews; interesting and thought provoking.
November 18, 2013
awesome introduction to sci fiction authors
Read
October 27, 2015very good
March 26, 2012
They're not all, to me, the most interesting interviews, but enough of them are super interesting!
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