Sir Salman Rushdie said in an interview just weeks ago that he had a “relatively normal” life before he was stabbed on stage - as well-wishes poured in for the injured author.
A man suspected of attacking the acclaimed novelist has today been charged with attempted murder and assault.
County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said in a statement: "The individual responsible for the attack yesterday, Hadi Mattar, has now been formally charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree.
"He was arraigned on these charges last night and remanded without bail."
The Indian-born British author, 75, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution when the incident occurred, leaving him with a stab wound to the neck.
"The news is not good," his agent Andrew Wylie said in a written statement earlier today.
"Salman will likely lose one eye, the nerves in his arm were severed, and his liver was stabbed and damaged."
This comes as Sir Salman talked in the interview with Germany's Stern magazine about the threats he sees to US democracy just weeks ago - saying his life was now "relatively normal".
He also called himself an optimist, and noted that the fatwa, a religious edict issued in Iran in 1989 that called on Muslims around the world to kill him for blasphemy in his novel The Satanic Verses, was pronounced long ago.
The interview is due to appear in the magazine on August 18, but Stern released it on Saturday, a day after the attack on Sir Salman.
It was conducted about two weeks ago, the magazine's editorial office said.
New York police have identified the suspect in the attack on Sir Salman as Hadi Matar, a 24-year-old man from New Jersey who had bought a pass to the event at the Chautauqua Institution.
Police have not established a motive.
JK Rowling and Stephen King are among the authors and notable faces voicing their disbelief after Sir Salman was stabbed on stage in New York state.
As he was transported to hospital by helicopter, with his condition unclear, a number of authors took to social media to speak of their shock following the "horrific" incident.
Harry Potter author Rowling, said on Twitter : "Horrifying news.
"Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie has been stabbed while exercising a right we should never cease to defend.
"Right now my thoughts are with his loved ones. We are all hoping he is okay."
Renowned American author of horror and fantasy novels King added: "I hope Salman Rushdie is okay."
Nick Barley, director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: "As we open this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival, we send love and best wishes to Salman Rushdie.
"Salman visited us last in 2019 and joined us online last year. We are inspired by his courage and are thinking of him at this difficult time.
"This tragedy is a painful reminder of the fragility of things we hold dear and a call to action: we won't be intimidated by those who would use violence rather than words.
"As a gesture of support and solidarity we are inviting all authors appearing in the adult programme to read a sentence from one of Salman's books at the beginning of their book festival event."
Journalist and author of Empireland, Sathnam Sanghera, tweeted: "Passage from Midnight's Children in my last ever exam. Poster of The Moor's Last Sigh had place on my (pretentious) student bedroom wall. Quote from Satanic Verses opens Empireland.
"Lots of British Asian writers wouldn't be writers without him. Pray he's well."
TV chef Nigella Lawson wrote: "This is horrific. Am distraught. Please, please let him be ok."
A number of political figures also shared their shock, as photos emerged showing Sir Salman lying on his back with a first responder crouched over him.
Sir Salman's book The Satanic Verses has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims view it as blasphemous, and its publication prompted Iran's then-leader Ayatollah Khomeini to issue a fatwa calling for his execution.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner wrote: "The horrific attack on Salman Rushdie in New York is appalling beyond words. I wish him well at this terrible time.
"This violence is an attack on free speech and can never be the answer. His assailant must be brought swiftly to justice."
While Shadow foreign secretary, Labour's David Lammy, said: "This is just horrific. Salman Rushdie is a lion of a man and a hugely talented author.
"Praying he makes a full recovery and his cowardly attacker is brought to justice."
