William Gibson is not one of the authors that spits out novels like a machine – in his long and fruitful career he has only published 11 novels andof short stories and articles in the tens each. Still his impact on modern literature was huge – the “noir prophet” of the cyberpunk subgenre (that he was one of the pioneers of) has predicted the rise of reality television, virtual reality, video games and the internet. He is a Hugo and Nebula award winning science fiction writer, with a special eye for what the future might bring.

A general view of atmosphere during 2016 New York Comic Con – Day 1 on October 6, 2016 in New York City. The annual event offers pop culture fans exhibitors and displays of popular video games, movies and comic books and many people attending dress as their favorite character. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)

A woman takes part in an extreme run competition in Zhodino, east of Minsk, September 26, 2015. (Photo by Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

A girl and boy carry a basket of fish in Kyaukpyu township, Rakhine state, Myanmar October 6, 2015. (Photo by Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters)

Dancers perform on stage during Diwali celebrations in Leicester, Britain November 11, 2015. (Photo by Darren Staples/Reuters)

A model poses with a motorcycle and a car on a racing track at the Essen Motor Show in Essen, Germany, November 27, 2015. (Photo by Ina Fassbender/Reuters)

People walk along a street with long-tailed macaques in Lopburi, north of Bangkok November 29, 2015. (Photo by Jorge Silva/Reuters)

A general view shows the part of the skyline of Dubai covered in an early morning fog on October 5, 2015. (Photo by Rene Slama/AFP Photo)