"In Poland, my audience is all women between 18 and 30. At U.S. conventions, you have the fantasy and science fiction crowd. At Harvard you have an entirely different audience. It's so schizophrenic"

In the quote by Jonathan Carroll, a writer understood for his fantastical and typically surreal stories, he assesses the diverse audiences he encounters in various cultural and geographical contexts. His observation that in Poland his audience is "all ladies between 18 and 30" suggests a particular demographic positioning or appeal of his work. This group might connect with his storytelling style, themes, or the psychological nuances within his books. It might also reflect wider cultural or market dynamics where particular categories resonate more highly with particular demographic groups.

In contrast, at U.S. conventions, Carroll keeps in mind the existence of a "fantasy and science fiction crowd". This population most likely includes a diverse mix of both genders and wider age varieties, combined by their interest in those specific categories. Category conventions in the U.S., particularly those centered around dream and sci-fi, are typically dynamic and diverse gatherings. They bring in fans with an extensive appreciation for the speculative, the imaginative, and the transcendent-- aspects widespread in Carroll's work.

When lecturing or providing at an academic institution like Harvard, Carroll encounters yet another audience. This group might be composed of scholars, trainees, and literary lovers, whose interest might be more analytical, concentrated on the literary worth, cultural critiques, or philosophical depths of his writing. Such audiences might engage with his work on a more intellectual or important level, delving into its thematic complexities and narrative structures.

Carroll's use of the term "schizophrenic" metaphorically explains the fragmentation and variation in his audience profiles throughout these various settings. He is highlighting the challenge and intrigue of engaging with significantly different groups, each bringing special point of views, expectations, and analyses to his work. This fragmentation shows the more comprehensive theme of multiplicity in identity and perception-- an idea often explored in Carroll's literary oeuvre. Through this double reference to differing audiences and thematic exploration, Carroll underscores the dynamic, often disjointed, nature of being an author whose work passes through cultural and genre limits.