Posted on 09/24/2010 2:43:09 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
Fans of fantastic fiction -- or just some of the finest damn writing to be put on paper -- take heed: If you've ever wanted to talk to Harlan Ellison, this weekend's MadCon 2010 is your last chance.
The 76-year-old writer, cultural critic and longtime den mother of the genre he'd prefer you didn't call "science fiction" is the guest of honor at the convention, happening Sept. 24-26 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Ellison is the winner of multiple Hugo, Nebula and Edgar awards and the author of such oftreprinted short stories as "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" and "The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore," as well as the mind behind the original screenplay for what many consider Star Trek's best episode, "The City on the Edge of Forever." Other scheduled notables at MadCon include writers Gene Wolfe, Peter David and Patrick Rothfuss, and Doctor Who's Sophie Aldred.
Due to his failing health, there had been some doubt about whether Ellison would show up in person or participate in panels, readings and other events by telephone from his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif. But at press time he affirmed he was coming. He is also adamant that MadCon will be the final convention he ever attends, in any fashion.
"The truth of what's going on here is that I'm dying," says Ellison, by phone. "I'm like the Wicked Witch of the West -- I'm melting. I began to sense it back in January. By that time, I had agreed to do the convention. And I said, I can make it. I can make it.'"
(Excerpt) Read more at thedailypage.com ...
Still waiting for “The Last Dangerous Visions” volume of his “Dangerous Visions” anthology trilogy....
He’s not going to appreciate this, but I met him at several shows in the past, and he was always gracious...a real gentleman. Of course; I didn’t say anything stupid or otherwise p*ss him off...
“I Have No Mouth But I Must Scream” bump.
Bump!
“Soldier”.
I met him at the DC Sci-Fi Convention in 1975, I think. He was trying to get financing to finish his film, “A Boy and His Dog”. He’s gay and invited my first husband upstairs to his room party at the hotel. I was also invited, sort of.
first husband?
RedRedRose has rice wounds on her head.
Harlan Ellison was a great speaker and so interesting. Sad to know that he’s dying.
I didn’t know he was so old, bless his heart. I know there’s a memoir or autobiography out, because I saw Susan Ivanova reading it in an episode of “Babylon 5.” I keep forgetting to check the library catalog.
He’s gay? He wrote about having a vasectomy after a girlfriend had an abortion. I guess he could be “gay” ...
He’s been out of the closet for years. I guess he had a girlfriend experience in those seventy some years.
A flaming lib (didn’t know he was packing fudge too - his old “Glass Teat” TV columns often mentioned a girlfriend), but a great writer. There was one story I liked but haven’t read in years so I don’t remember the title, but folks drove armed vehicles and fought duels on the highway. Every time some idiot cuts me off I think about it....
OK ... I faded out by the time I graduated college, and only noticed in passing that he was a contributor to Babylon 5.
I remember that story. A car would have a body preserved to fight on by itself ...
Gosh it’s been a long time.
Just Damn.
“And so it goes...”
Thanks for the pleasure of reading [some of] your work, Mr. Ellison.
That sounds a lot like “Why Johnny Can’t Speed” by Alan Dean Foster.
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