So, does anyone take the NY Times seriously anymore?

Because when someone, in all seriousness, says this:

And how would you describe the kinds of books you steer clear of?

Anything described by the author or publisher as fantasy, which to me says, “Don’t worry, Reader, Death will be absent here.” In his brief introduction to “Slow Learner,” Thomas Pynchon says he takes serious writing to be that in which Death is present. I agree.

OH. WELL. I guess all that stuff I'm writing in which Death is most certainly present (with awful, awful Consequences!) is, by that definition, Lit-Ra-Chure.

With werewolves.

I guess I'll start subbing to Atlantic Monthly and the New Yorker!

Seriously, has this guy ever actually read a fantasy book in his life? I have written 38 short stories and a novel. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of stories in which someone or something doesn't die. Hell, I destroyed the entire Earth once (although, to be fair, that one was SF). I have written stories with serial killers (which also starred talking cats, and angels and demons). Honestly, I cannot think of a single fantasy book I have ever read where someone didn't die--usually horribly and messily. Is Tolkien not fantasy anymore?

WTF, dude. How can anyone who has paid the least bit of attention to the genre make such a stupid, stupid statement?

The Old Gray Lady ain't what she used to be. If she ever was.