Sci-fi author John Scalzi has seen his books on the New York Times bestseller list. Three of his novels have been nominated for the Hugo award. He served as a creative consultant on the TV series Stargate, and is a former president of the Science Fiction Fantasy Writers of America.

He has also – for very good reasons explained here – had a team of roller derby skaters cover him in buttercream frosting in front of author Neil Gaiman's house.

No really, that happened. Photograph: Kyle Cassidy Photograph: Kyle Cassidy

If I have to gay marry anyone it'll be @neilhimself. He's already slathered me in buttercream frosting. Counts as a proposal. — John Scalzi (@scalzi) June 26, 2013

For those reasons alone, Scalzi would be internet royalty.

But it's what Scalzi does with his internet pulpit that has earned him the respect and gratitude of so many fans: he uses his powers for good. With tens of thousands of Twitter followers and readers of his blog, Whatever, Scalzi isn't afraid to swing at internet bullies.

In 2012, he took it upon himself to explain to straight, white men how life works in their favor:

Okay: In the role playing game known as The Real World, “Straight White Male” is the lowest difficulty setting there is.

In February, tired of an an internet troll who would not stop posting in the Whatever comment threads, Scazi put out an internet tip jar, pledging $5 for every time "the Racist Sexist Homophobic Dipshit in question posts an entry on his site in which he uses my name (or one of his adorable nicknames for me)". With help from high-profile friends including Wil Wheaton, Scalzi earned pledges of $50,000 for charities including the anti-domestic violence group Rainn.

This summer, he announced an anti-harassment policy, under which he would refuse to attend – as a fan or a guest of honor – any convention that did not take clear steps to shut down the harassment of guests:

I want my friends and fans to be able to come to a convention and feel assured that the convention is making the effort to be a safe place for them. I want my friends and fans to know that if someone creeps on them, there’s a process to deal with it, quickly and fairly. And I want my friends and fans to know that I don’t support conventions that won’t go out of their way to do both of these things. I want them to know that if I’m showing up as a guest, it’s at a convention that has their backs. So, that’s my plan. If you’re running a convention and you want to have me show up, now you know what you have to do for me to consider your invitation. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. If you think it’s too much to ask, you can go ahead and skip the invite. We’ll both be happier.

And just this weekend, he again turned the tables on a troll who seemed to think calling Scalzi a feminist would be an insult:

Seriously, now: “This is what a feminist looks like” qualifies as arch mockery in your world? Dudebro, please.

Good people of the internet: Scalzi's got your back.

His latest book, The Mallet of Loving Correction, a collection of Whatever essays from between 2008 and 2012, is available on 13 September.

His status update:

What was your first screen name?

"Edwin Booth", after the famous 19th century American Shakespearean actor and distant relative. Seemed a better choice than his infamous brother, John Wilkes Booth.

Edwin Booth as Iago. Photograph: J Gurney & Son/US library of Congress Photograph: J Gurney & Son/US library ofcongress

What was your worst day ever?

The day I was laid off from AOL in the mid 90s and my ego – the massive ego of a smug twentysomething who had experienced no professional setbacks to that point and thus had developed a profound sense of entitlement – smacked hard into a wall. In time I would see the layoff as one of the best things that ever happened to me. That day, however? It sucked. Also, as a general note, I am thankful that this has been my worst day to date, and well aware that there is almost no chance I will be lucky enough that it will continue to remain so.

What is your favorite smell?

Food: oatmeal cookies. Non-food: library or bookstore. Oatmeal cookies at the library? My nose could die happy.

Who would you invite to your ideal dinner party?

Close friends who all know and like each other. I realize this question is meant for us to namecheck notable people, living or dead, we wish we could meet, but I kind of hate the "dancing monkey at dinner" model. I'd rather be with people I love, enjoying a good meal (and besides, most of my friends are pretty amusing. We'll have a good time). As for notable people, I'd take them to a quiet coffee and encourage them to relax, not sing for their supper.

What cocktail are you most like and why?

I don't drink (no dramatic reason; I just never started), so I would be a rum and Coke, minus the rum and with extra Coke. The good news is, I'll be your designated driver tonight. So drink up.

What are three items you will always find in your refrigerator?

Coke Zero (of which I drink several a day, to the delight of my dentist), yogurt and various condiments, all of which are probably past their expiration date because, seriously, I'm not sure how you tell when mustard goes bad.

What were you doing at midnight last night?

Oddly enough, I was receiving the first crank call I've gotten in at least two decades (the caller ID has it listed as "private caller" and I was concerned that my wife, who is out of town, might have had need to use someone else's phone). On the other end were what sounded like a couple of giggling teenage girls who asked me if I wanted a prostitute. I wish I could say I had a clever response, but I just said "What? No," and hung up.

What did the last text message you received say?

It was from my wife, and so – and I say this with all love and affection – it is officially none of your business.

What is a word you say a lot?

"Dude." I grew up in southern California in the 80s. Yes, I am a walking cliche.

Who was your first crush?

That would be Karin Woo, who I crushed on in junior high. I was obvious about it in obnoxious ways, I'm afraid. We later became friends anyway, and she continues to be one of my favorite people. Ironically, I officiated her wedding many years later. So you could say I married my first crush. My wife rolls her eyes when I say that, however.

What was your worst injury ever?

When I was 10 I was hit by a car, which turned my right tibia into a jigsaw puzzle. All my other injuries to date have been minor.

What is the last song you listened to?

Pick Up the Phone from William Beckett, from his just-released album Genuine and Counterfeit.