Sheryl Hill asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

"Ethan of Athos" is one of my favorites and, perhaps, one of the most socially significant stories you've written because it demonstrates the power of encounters with the "hated other" to transform bigotry into respect. It's lack of popularity grieves me. I have wondered if a story about a planet made up of women who are equally suspicious of men (but for non-religious reasons) might be better received. Thoughts?

Lois McMaster Bujold A lot of the latter had already been written (mostly in the 60s and 70s, by both men and women) at the time I wrote Ethan of Athos, and in fact Ethan was in part a riposte to those. The fact that you'd never heard of them may answer your question?

Ethan has done pretty well to survive 31 years still in print/ebook and available, I think. Readers can still find it. As a general rule, only new books get booted up onto bestseller lists, but selling quietly for a long time can add up, too. Word-of-mouth has been the lifeblood of my career.

Ta, L.

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