I met him once. He's actually a very sweet guy. He just has no tolerance for stupidity or rudeness, which is totally fine by me. I have him to thank for giving me a bit of self-confidence and for calling me out on my ignorance. He may not be perfect or some sort of literary god, but he's a good person, he inspired and encouraged me, and I will weep sincerely when he goes.

I met him once, just smiled and said hello, he thanked me for not asking a stupid question lol

Harlan Ellison is like a mirror reality version of Mark Hamill.

Here is a true story... Back in the early 80's, Harlan came to Grand Rapids to sign copies of his newest book SHATTERDAY and anything else you had that he wrote. I put down a grocery bag of books, he looked up at me and said "Christ, only you would do this; ok, lets get it over with" and he signed over 20 rare paperbacks and swore he would eat my heart out if I ever did it again. We are still friends.

Harlan Ellison turning in his grave after I don't shut up about my undying love for AM.

Harlan Ellison would've been one of the most insufferable bastards in the world had he seen himself as being that of a God. So it's refreshing and downright inspiring to see him refer to himself as just a man, or as he himself put it, "I'm a little Jew from Ohio!" Just makes me appreciate the man for who he was even more.

Gotta love this guy He's like the wonderfully eccentric, whacked - out, unpredictable uncle that the rest of the family avoids like the PLAGUE, but you get him & where he's coming from, at least partially, & you hope that he understands you somewhat.

The scariest thing, about becoming "relevant" or "well-known" or "being put upon pedestal" is having people think you're something greater than you actually are. I mean sure, I can go on and on about my favorite movies, tv series, books, video games, and etc. But do I think the people behind the art are "geniuses" or a "god" of some sort. No, I tend to separate the art from the creator. That does not mean I don't respect the people behind the art, I just think at the end of the day, they're human beings just like us. And before we know it, they'll be sleeping in dirt just like the rest of us.

I met him at a convention...I had my hand up to ask a question when he was on a panel and was giddy when he, rather than the moderator, called on me. When I went to the signing table I said something like I was a huge fan and he said something like he wished he had about 100 people like me on his lawn. This was in 1990, so my memory is a little foggy. But it was a positive experience. Unfortunately, the signed books have been lost from moving around frequently.

"I'm a little Jew from Ohio!" I laughed so hard. This mas is awesome. :D

Harlan ellison actually reminds me alot of my best friend. A person who is not afraid of telling exactly how he feels about something & will put no effort into softening the blow, telling everything as he sees it instead of dancing around the harsh truths. A very no-nonsense kind of guy as well. Because of that, I can very much understand where he's coming from & agree with what he sayes. Respect for a man & his work is one thing, but to become obsessive about it is the wrong way to express this respect. I just find his use of the word "fan" a bit misleading. The word "fan" can have such a broad definition & the description he gave is more fitting to fanboys than the avarage fan.

This fucking guy, he's talking about the contempt he feels about book signing and how anyone could possibly want a signed book, and then it cuts to a shot of him signing books with this perturbed, almost pained look on his face. He is a being of spite and I love him for it.

Harlan was one of the most unique and ornery {AND HONEST} minds and characters of this or any century. rest in peace, weary warrior.

Harlan did not suffer fools gladly. That's one of the qualities that made him so endearing to readers.

Damn, he doesn't pull any punches.

Not only is fandom silly but so are awards. Rarely given to deserving work but to 'friends' because it's their time. But they look good on the tombstone, provided there's enough cement.

I've had a few authors sign a book. Not because I wanted my book signed but because I wanted to have a short chat or something. That is the point. I was only moderately successful.

he really knows how to be diplomatic, doesn't he? Respect that he speaks his mind and I totally understand his point, though I also get fans and fandoms opposite position

Harlan Ellison seemed like a sane man in a crazy and absurd place when it came to fans

Normally, I might agree but book signings are part of the business so authors have to do them to get their books sold and get the word out about their work. So, that cant be helped. However, I agree that people should buy the book simply because of the content.

Certain spec fic writers (e.g. Cordwainer Smith) resisted meeting fans, because, from the stories they'd heard from fellow writers, they were afraid they could no longer write for them after meeting them. Better to stay shy and persuade the muse to stick around ? IMHO publishers have a reasonable expectation of an author assisting in the promotion of their own work. But as we all know, what your favorite authors really have for you is what's on the shelf at the bookstore.

Would love to have been in a crowd at one of his speaking engagements. At the end of this video, he is right. I was an oddball no doubt. I love science fiction, comic books, old movies, old television. I also once loved playing baseball and football. Because all I did crossed over into other avenues, I never fit in with any of them. I was truly an outcast, from all cliques during high school. As an adult, I moved closer to the nerd group and left sports alone (other than watching them on TV). About 10 years ago I posted some baseball and football pictures on Fakebook. All of my nerd friends were shocked and called me a jock. smh just can't win.

I love his shirts.

I wish I could’ve met him myself, to this day he is the best author I know of

Ellison's personality somehow makes a lot more sense when he says 'I don't know the answers, I'm a little Jewish kid from Ohio!'

To be fair Unca Harlan is in the categories of people he lists. He's an oddball. Hell in that film he admits to being a mook.

how to avoid to be sued by Harlan Ellison? I mean you posted this video and still here anyway. Thanks for sharing.

Quality is rare. There are those of us who aspire to it, and actually achieve it. If you don't, or can't, then that would be your problem. Not his. Not mine. Not anyone else's.

It is the job of the artist to stay in the present.

All that matters to him, is that he's getting paid.

In my former line of work I met celebrities and my level best to treat me professionally.

the aliens need his wit.

It doesn't even entitle them to an autograph at a book signing; who says that any published author has to go through the process of a book signing? Anyone should buy a book because they are interested in its content; that is a personal motivation only. No one is entitled to anything. If you want the product of someone's mind, then pay for it. And, if not, then don't.

autographs are good ---- get as many as possible

@bludytiger Yeah I suppose you're right, and he does seem a little more jovial in actual conversation. But from a fan's perspective, I'd really hate to get a reception like that from a writer I admire.

God he's so dead on. Fandom = shit.

How would Harlan Ellison react to Zoe? (Monster Prom)

''I'm not! I'm a little jew from Ohio!''

@wmotamedi Do you have to get really violent?

kay

It's a product they bought and liked. It has made you money. You say, Thank You, and smile. They smile, then go buy another product.

I love Mr. Ellison's work and often his repartee. I don't like kicking the dog, tho. Being brash & a warrior & all has its place, but I think he doesn't know when to turn it off. He overgeneralizes that attitude.If an author doesn't want to show up for a signing, then don't. I don't get why he does it just to complain so bitterly about it. And, not all fans are pimply, weird or twinks nor do they always band together simply b/c they've been rejected by others. That's kind of elitist :(

Do you really HAVE TO sign books?

Feeendom.

@AnonNation Grow a pair and voice your opinion(s).

What does his shirt say?

How much would you get if you followed Harlan Ellison into the bathroom fished his dump out from the toilet and put it up on Ebay?

"Twinks??"

How wrong can you be? He wants to get paid for his work. Do you work? Do you want to get paid for it? Of course. As does anyone else. Including him. However, that is not all that matters to him. Or to me. Or to many others. If it is all that matters to you, then that is according to you. But it is not all that matters to everyone.

So, having a social life with a group of people who like the same things as you, isn't really having a social life? Nerds being friends with nerds just doesn't count, right? Only drinking beer and watching sports at a local bar is having a life?

I myself, after 30 years of reading Ellison, have had quite a good fun ride, but have also had enough. I suspect that if he were honest, he might say the same thing: "I am a crotchety old piece of shit, I've expounded the same ideas time after time for decades, I'm damned smart and damned mad, and I wish I could transcend those things and actually say something important." He's spewed his words. They were brilliant words, sometimes, but most times merely smart and banal and showy. Enough.

He enjoys the money but not the fans. Typical.

What a piece of shit human being. I'm not criticizing his writing talent, but no one can deny (not even harlan himself) that harlan ellison is an asswipe.