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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!"
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
![ภาพนี้ก็ฮาเหมือนกันนะเนี้ย #2 SS8 [ พากย์นรก MEME.EXE ] | easy boy](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RMhUgxxD49Q/mqdefault.jpg)
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.
Harlan Ellison turning in his grave after I don't shut up about my undying love for AM.
I met him once, just smiled and said hello, he thanked me for not asking a stupid question lol
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.
Harlan Ellison is like a mirror reality version of Mark Hamill.
"I'm a little Jew from Ohio!"
I laughed so hard. This mas is awesome. :D
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.
Harlan was one of the most unique and ornery {AND HONEST} minds and characters of this or any century. rest in peace, weary warrior.
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.
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.
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!"
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.
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.
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.
Harlan did not suffer fools gladly. That's one of the qualities that made him so endearing to readers.
I wish I could’ve met him myself, to this day he is the best author I know of
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
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.
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.