I am thrilled with an article about AKS due for January 2011 publication. Patrick Clark’s OTAKU ‘zine is the standard bearer these days in PKD-land and he is writing a very flattering article about the novel. In particular I love that he has solved an issue that has really plagued me– “is the AKS novel autobiographical?” Thanks to Patrick and Rudy Rucker I feel vindicated. AKS is Transrealism, according to Clark:

The character of Niki is really well done; she became a real person to me while I read.  I was reminded of Rudy Rucker’s theory of “transrealism” or “transcendental autobiography:” which I believe Rudy describes as “writing about yourself, only more so.”  Jami gave me what she called the “FDO” copy at the festival.  It had yet to go through a final edit. The published version of “A Kindred Spirit” (AKS) is available now.

That is one small excerpt from the 2200 word piece that will appear. But click on that link and read the PDF, please. Rudy Rucker is a SF writer famous for his “ware” series (now called the Ware Tetralogy) the first two of which (Software and Wetware) both won Philip K. Dick Awards. I just love that I am a Transrealist and didn’t know it! I totally agree with what Rucker says in his manifesto. I will weave some of these thoughts into Part II (yes, there will also be a part two to the article) because it ties to why I could not shelve nor finish the book for so long. Even though it was very complicated writing about real people and incorporating them into fiction, I could see no other way to tell the story. And as Rucker so lucidly points out, who would want to! Anyway, I feel great and no longer have to hang my head when asked if it’s autobiographical. NO, it’s Transrealistic! Thank you Patrick!!