Iain Banks is doing publicity for his latest mainstream novel at the moment. He did an interview on the BBC's The Culture Show which was quite interesting and he's quoted in
The Herald:
Banks also delivered a robust defence of the science fiction genre which, he said, was "one of the most important genres in literature, certainly since the industrial revolution". It was, he added, essential reading for "anyone who finds technology and the pace of change exciting."
[Via Uncle Zip’s Window]