Vladimir Makanin Q & A

       At Russia Beyond the Headlines Marina Brovkina has a Q & A with Vladimir Makanin: On writing as chess play.
       Good to see an author acknowledging:

There are two processes: creation and consumption. An author is only responsible for the first. He can write a novel, a drama, but has no say in how it will be received. It is beyond his influence. Society consumes what you produce and it can regale you tomorrow and trample you a month later. Or give you recognition only after your death, or never. But again, that is not down to you, your job is to create.

       A few of his works have been translated into English, but not too much that can be readily found; I'm surprised English-language publishers haven't kept up with his new work.