Walter Jon Williams is the author of two short story collections and more than twenty novels. His story in The Starry Rift is “Pinocchio”.

1. When did you start reading science fiction? How old were you, and can you remember the first book or story that really excited you as a reader?

My first SF novel was HAVE SPACE SUIT, WILL TRAVEL by Robert A. Heinlein. I was in second grade, which would make me, what, seven? (I was a pretty advanced reader for my age.)

That novel had it all: adventure, mind-expanding ideas, interesting characters, and best of all, Heinlein’s writing. I re-read it every so often, and it’s still one of my favorites.

2. What do you think science fiction has something to offer young readers today?

The adult world prefers to stunt or crush the imagination and calls it “growing up.” Science fiction can set the imagination free!

3. Tell us about your story for The Starry Rift.

“Pinocchio” deals with a teen icon— someone who has become famous /for being himself/, and what happens when he begins to doubt who he actually is. Should he continue in the belly of the media whale, or should he try to become a real boy?

The story deals with what it means to be authentic in a media-saturated world.

“Pinocchio” also has an unintended predictive aspect. It was written before several recent celebrity meltdowns, all of which are eerily prefigured in the story.

4. Did you find there was a real difference between writing for younger readers, or was your approach basically the same as when you’re writing for any other audience?

I just wrote the story I wanted to write. In fact it’s set in the same future as two “adult” stories, “The Green Leopard Plague” and “Lethe,” both of which were nominated for awards. Let’s hope the tradition continues!

5. What are you writing now? Is there something you’d recommend to readers who enjoyed your story in The Starry Rift?

I just finished a novel titled This is Not a Game, set in the world of online computer gaming. It should see print early in 2009.

In the meantime you can chow down on Implied Spaces, which has just been released. It’s got a swordsman hero, unimaginably vast machine intelligence, a complex love story, and huge interplanetary wary, and a talking cat. What more do you want?