Here's a recent discussion in which I participated (remotely!) at the recent Winter Conference of the University of Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture on the subject of what writers (of all kinds) owe to their readers.
My view is that we owe them, above all, preparation for the possibilities of the future — and, at this moment, is is clear that we have abysmally failed.
"What Do We Owe to Our Readers? Literature in Conversation."