HARLAN ELLISON: 'A Format' Paperback Overview - Science Fiction, Fantasy, Juvenile Delinquent

[@jamesrowland9982]

Back during the late 80's, Ellison gave a talk at the University of Colorado. Afterwards there was a reception in the Gamov physics building on the top floor. It was only for people who had invitations. Another friend of mine had an invite and it did not say how many people could come with him. So my friend, me and a few went to Gamov and it was locked. We went around the building and found an unlocked door. We took an elevator, but it did not go to the top floor. Undaunted we went up the stairs, found the door to the reception area and we thought we would get in unnoticed. Nope, we came right in when Ellison was close by and having a spirited discussion. Ellison, the people in the room and we are all shocked...but Ellison looked at us and went back to his talk. No one threw us out and we had fun. So I was part of crashing an Ellison event and breaking and entering a university building.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Great story- had I been there, I'd have joined you, an opportunity too great to miss!

[@mikemason9727]

I have all those books and more in the same editions, bought mainly from Photon Books in Glasgow in the early 80's. You're missing one of my favourite collections, namely "Strange Wine". Ellison is probably my favourite writer. I was introduced to him via his introductions to stories in "Dangerous Visions", and "Again, Dangerous Visions", which were far more entertaining than most of the stories.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

People keep picking me up on 'Strange Wine' - it didn't get shown as I don't have an 'A Format' copy and will be covered in another video looking at trade paperbacks and hardcovers, of which I have many. Re his intros, I said the very same thing in my recent New Wave USA Top Ten video. Great to here from another HE devotee.

[@mikemason9727]

I think you're also missing Gentle Junkie from Ace editions. The Glass Teat, and The Other Glass Teat also had Ace editions, though I only have the latter, as I already had the Savoy version of The Glass Teat. They are TV critique mainly, so maybe not your cup of tea?

[@northof-62]

Thx for your great summary of his works.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

No problem. I'll cover hardcovers at some point and will do more in depth stuff on his work at some point. His best stuff really is unmissable.

[@tragicslip]

His YT channel is still up and I watch it just to get my spleen going.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

He was a character and then some. But it was the writing that got me first, before I ever heard any stories about him. I once talked to Moorcock about the time he stayed with Harlan- immortalised in the book 'Letters From Hollywood', MMs correspondence to Ballard about that time-that's where MM met Linda Steele, his partner, as she was HE's secretary at the time. Linda's very nice too, got her to sign my copy of 'Letters' as well, since she's in it. Never issued in paperback, shame, a fun book.

[@gon8go]

I'm currently working my way through his "greatest hits" collection.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

It's a great selection apart from the fact that it excludes his actual biggest hit - the sublime "A Boy & His Dog", which is completely inexplicable as a publishing decision.

[@gon8go]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal I kept thinking I missed it. it was a disappointment.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

@@gon8go Yeah, they goofed there.

[@jamesrowland9982]

Approaching Oblivion was my first Ellison book I read and I was really hooked. I was attending university back in the late 70's. Phoenix Without Ashes is a good read and I only bought it because of Ellison. I really did not think much of Ed's writing and still do not, but in this case it worked. I always thought that Ed was a bit of a toady/hangeron and I know to write that is akin to heresy. I have a joke about Ed during the NASFIC in Phoenix Arizona many moons ago(during the 80's?). In the main convention area, Ed had noted that there was no ashtrays in building. My friend at the time remarked that this was Phoenix without ashtrays. I thought(and still do) it was hilarious. Ed did not. I have a fairly complete collection of Ellison to this day and I do not regret reading him.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

I'd have laughed at that. Funnily enough, I'm in agreement with you re Bryant, but I did read a good little story by him the other day which I really enjoyed, in one of Silverberg's 'New Dimensions' series- but I forgot to mention it in a review I filmed...never mind...

[@andykuhn9798]

Great video! Thanks so much for posting. I met Ellison, briefly at a comic convention in the early 2000s. He was a tiny little ball of energy. He compared my artwork to the art of Romona Fradon. I wasn't aware of her work at the time, but when I looked her up, I could see what he meant. RIP - HE!

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Kudos to you!

[@andykuhn9798]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal - To you as well. You have a great channel. Stay awesome! :)

[@littleredflying-fox]

I have memories of Harlan Ellison for sure. I first encountered his Repent Harlequin in an anthology given to me as a boy by my grandfather. I fell in love with his honest prose. I later acquired a large collection, but lost it after a catastrophic move. About the only items by Harlan I have now is a UK (Hutchinson) first of Shatterday signed by Ellison and a copy of the screenplay of I, Robot he wrote with his frenemy Issac Asimov. Once again, a brilliant video. I enjoyed revisiting the familiar art of the books I knew in my youth.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

He's a great author to discover when young, I agree. I have very vivid memories of reading his work for the first time- Dick, Bester and Bradbury had awakened me to the joys of US SF after I found Heinlein and Asimov massively disappointing, though I warmed to some of their work later. Shame about your collection. 'Shatterday', that's a great one.

[@audio.visuals.atmosphere.]

I've always been fascinated by Ellison, but it isn't always easy to find any books by him in the wild. I found one of his collections 'Earthman, Go Home!' published in '62 with stories he's written mostly between '56 and '60. These weren't the best to be honest, I guess he was still young at that point and searching for his voice and style. I've picked up Deathbird Stories (the Pan Lozenge edition, beautiful!) and Strange Wine a few weeks ago. I'm looking forward to cracking these open and reading a story a day or so. Love the video's, keep them coming, we're always hungry for more!!

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Yep, for the reasons I stated it's been hard to find his books for years-the mid sixties ones are far easier to find that later collections as they were reprinted more in the US. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[@paulcampbell6003]

"Strange Wine" is excellent; a sadly neglected collection nowadays. If I am not mistaken, that is the collection which Stephen King talked about at length in his seminal non-fiction book "Danse Macabre" (1981). I imagine it was that which led Ellison to ask King to write the introduction to "Stalking the Nightmare" (1982). Which, it has to be said, is a very minor compilation: a hodge-podge of non-fic, a handful of new stories and way too many inferior stories from his out of print 1970 collection "Over the Edge". The book is only remembered now for its famous ultra-limited handcrafted wooden box edition. In terms of Ellison 'albums' one of the best is "Shatterday" (1980). I have the US Berkley paperback. The UK hardback and UK paperback retain the main introduction *BUT cut* all of the mini-intros and -outros to the individual stories. 😡

[@robjohnston5673]

The first Ellison book I read was Memos from Purgatory in the mid 70s, a Pyramid paperback import, great cover artwork and title-font, from a little backstreet secondhand bookshop in Manchester, long gone from an area now gentrified as 'the Northern Quarter'. I got Doc Savage and The Avenger Bantam editions from there too. What was great about those books was that they were US imports, so had that far-away exotic aura about them. Fond memories of that shop and its treasures. Great video.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Thanks! Those were the days, right?!

[@robjohnston5673]

Indeed!

[@unstopitable]

A bookseller friend of mine--now deceased--once mailed Ellison a catalog of his books for sale. Upon receipt of said catalog, Ellison called the shop, gruff as ever, and was like, "Who's this? How'd you get this address?" Needless to say, he wasn't interested. I used to worship Ellison; I fell in love with his work instantly when, I was around six, my best friend's mom read to us, if you can believe it, "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream," from Wolf's Complete Book of Terror, which she gave to me and which I still have--and I read all the stories therein. It changed me forever. (I think it's one of the best horror anthologies ever.) I still love his work, but as I grew up, my feelings turned mixed (about his writing). Still, he is one of the Greats, no doubt about it. As for his character? De mortuis nihil nisi bonum. I have this hope that, in some form, Dangerous Visions 3 will be released. I think Priest, if I remember, was really griped over that. Thanks, Outlaw.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

There was a diminished impact once you get to the mid eighties with HE, I think - but as you say, some of it really, really stays with you. CP's book, 'The Book of the Edge of Forever'- about LDV's non-appearance is still in print, I think. CP gave me one of the original run- a thirty copy signed limited edition he produced privately and circulated at the Worldcon in 87 (we'd only met the day before, so it was like an underlining of our instant understanding of each other, but I was pretty flattered). It's a searing account...(original title: 'The Last Deadloss Visions').

[@unstopitable]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal Thank you so much for this. I remember vaguely Priest quarreling with HE, but I had no idea he'd written at length about it. Much appreciated!

[@anton1990]

@@unstopitable The Last Dangerous Visions is going to be published this year, believe it or not. All thanks to J. Michael Straczynski, who is now the executor of Ellison’s estate.

[@unstopitable]

@@anton1990 Holy crap!!!!!! I can't waaaait!!!!!!!! Thanks for the great news. Sorry for the belated reply.

[@anton1990]

@@unstopitable You’re most welcome, friend!

[@salty-walt]

I've always found his titles haunting. To the point where I may not remember the story anymore, but I continue to use the title as an idiom in my speech. "Crazy as a soup sandwich" for example, or "On the downhill side." And some that just resonate like poetry: All the lies that are my life, Asleep, with still hands, Reaping the whirlwind, Silent in Gehenna, Try a dull knife, And especially- " Lonely women are the vessels of time."

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Echoes perfectly what I always say about how important titles are, especially in SF. They stay with you.

[@KCreading-Writing]

In the late '90s, I reveled in Harlan Ellison's appearance on late-night television here in the States (you can still find his interviews with his friend Tom Snyder on the old YT.) Charismatic, combative, smart, and sharp. I am remiss in reading any Ellison and this video serves as my entry point. And the recollection of your father buying you books when he was in Cardiff was wonderful. I loved your descriptions of his instinct and taste when it comes to finding books for you. Thank you, Stephen.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Thank you. I have seen some of those Synder interviews, great stuff.

[@doktor_ghul]

Oh, and because of the Ellisons, you have a new subscriber.

[@SHONNER]

He used to argue at Comic-Con in San Diego. It was his Napoleon complex that irked everyone he came in contact with.

[@waltera13]

It was nice to see all the covers to those editions all in one place. A lot of my editions have the Diane & Leo Dillon covers, the Pyramid "Harlan Ellison Uniform Series." I was sure that the TPb series came out later, but most of them from the Bluejay Special Edition series *also* seem to have come out in 1983, so they too are the last regular, big publisher printed & distributed editions, except for the originals and collections that came out later. I guess If I waited till your next HE video I'd've seen & found out all about the Bluejay Special Editions too!

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

No, as I never bought those, as I didn't buy dupes then and it was hard enough to find imported Ellison books pre-internet, plus there were many other things to buy and read. I'm picking some of the Pyramid ones up soon, as I said, I love those jackets too. Buying books then was a very, very different thing- you did it all in person, relied on chance, had to travel to specialists- if you could afford to- and mail order catalogues were the way dealers worked. It was slower, but the anticipation was greater and the joy of sudden, contingent discovery more explosive. Things are, in a way, too easy now. What you'll see in the next HE video is hardcovers or an in-depth analysis of a story collection. Re Blujay, they were only around for about 3-4 years before crashing, but they did some great books. Good to correspond with you as ever, stalwart one!

[@waltera13]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal I'm not gonna discount the idea that you know something that I don't, but the "Blue Jay Special Editions" weren't dupes, or self published. They seemed to be regarded as "premium' Back In The Day (probably because they wereTPb's) & were the way books like "Deathbird" & "Ellison Wonderland" appeared new in the retail US setting back in '83 - 85 original cover art & all. You've also got me wondering if you've got the gorgeous "Strange Wine."

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

@@waltera13 -by dupes I meant I didn't buy second copies of books I already owned then, just to be clear. I do have 'Strange WIne' somewhere....

[@waltera13]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal I guess i misunderstood how you were using "dupes." But you don't have any of the Blue Jay editions of those books though - I guess you got a couple Pan, and a couple earlier editions.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

@@waltera13 -Yeah, I don't have them because of course they were not distributed in the Uk and by that time, I had almost all of Ellisons backlist, so at that stage I was buying new collections like 'Strange Wine' and 'Angry Candy' as they were published, which I think is a little later into the 80s. i have a very handsome Bluejay of Jeter's 'Dr Adder; though, a book every Ellison fan would enjoy, I'd say!

[@PipBoykin]

The Starlost is a pretty good idea for a tv show. It's still watchable if you overlook its age. It stars Kier Dullea (star of the movie, 2001 A Space Oddessy) and has some famous guest stars. After signing Ellison the production moved to Canada, and absolutely everything was done to save money. As a result, what started out as something intended to be the next gen sci-fi tv show turned into a turkey. Anyone and everyone involved creatively in this project got royally screwed. This is one of the shows that I would love to be remade and given its proper due. For anyone interested in the story behind The Starlost, read Ben Bova's 'fictional' book "The Starcrossed" (Ben Bova was attached as Science Advisor for The Starlost).

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

I've seen the pilot- and yes, the Bova book is helpful in that respect.

[@jamesrowland9982]

I understand that there is a reason for the two versions of Spider Kiss from Ace. The first printing has the worlds Ace Science Fiction and Harlan objected. I understand that he did not like his picture on the back. So it was reissued and I happen to have both copies. As I mentioned before the first Ellison book I read was Approaching Oblivion and his stories just overwhelmed me and I had to read more. Certain writers do that to me. Borges, Tom Reamy(whom I hope you mention in a video someday), Issac Bashevis Singer, Charles Beaumont to name a few. Ellison through Dangerous Visions and introductions, etc opened up a world of great writers for me.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

I reviewed Reamy's novel in a video within the last couple of months, can't think which one, probably one of the review wrap-ups ones, if you go through the backlist in reverse, you'll soon find it. I was aware of the reason re 'Spider Kiss' but couldn't recall it -I'm sure it's mentioned on the dealer's website which I referred to in the video. Beaumont has never quite worked for me, but I'll admit I want to read more. I sell his sole UK book fairly regularly at work.

[@PaliGap1]

Loved this. Thank you. Will you include Strange Wine in the next one?

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Yes, as I have to cover trade paperbacks and hardcovers yet. Will do, thanks!

[@PaliGap1]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal Great! Forgive my boyish impetuosity. I can't wait. I love Strange Wine and think that the intro to this collection is worth a mention too. I loved the Barclay Shaw Covers on the A format books you reviewed too. I look forward to the next Ellison video. For all his showmanship and brusqueness, he really knew how to write and had a huge impact on the field of SF. My favourites are Dick, Sheckley, Ellison, Bradbury and Sturgeon. Keep up the good work!

[@paulcampbell6003]

Couldn't agree more: "Strange Wine" (1978) deserves its own individual shout-out. And that KILLER Leo & Dianne Dillon wrap-around cover used on the first US hardback and paperback editions! Up there with their even more awesome two-part cover for "The Essential Ellison" (1987) retrospective tome.

[@doktor_ghul]

DOKTOR G'HUL APPROVES. I was, and am, a huge Ellison phan. I was introduced to APPROACHING OBLIVION , a signed hardcover, sent to me by a friend, and she is high on my friends list because of that astounding package. I've read pretty much everything HE that I can get my hands on, but over time, I've lost many of the Ellison books I had. I need to get my Ellisons back.

[@georgeyoes3130]

'Approaching Oblivion' was my introduction to H.E. Blew my mind! Best story in this collection is'Knox' Powerful,dark,full tilt dark SF.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Yes, another classic collection from HE!

[@paulcampbell6003]

I am SO GLAD that I was in my twenties in the '90s and was able to buy Ellison books in second hand specialty shops in Glasgow or (occasionally) Forbidden Planet or (on a rare instance) Fantasy Centre's catalogue. As pointed out in the comments of other videos, I have the 12 Ace editions and the 4 Bluejay editions; all released early to mid '80s and all with wonderful covers by Barclay Shaw. Plus 2 released by Berkley ("Shatterday" and the one featured in this video "Stalking the Nightmare"). In addition, a bunch of '60s and '70s US paperback editions. 40 years ago really was the peak of Ellison's exposure: together with the reprints and brand new books there were two dozen of his titles in print. Here's another depressing 40th anniversary: the 1983 UK Grafton paperback edition of "Shatterday" featuring a cover by Peter Goodfellow is the very last time there was a UK edition of ANY of Ellison's books. 😢 I feel sorry for younger fans trying to find and read Ellison (even the SF Gateway ebooks from Orion/Gollancz are now no longer available). 😔 I repeat: SO GLAD that I discovered Ellison in the '90s when it was possible to walk into a shop (second hand or otherwise) and buy an Ellison book off the shelf!

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Completely agree. I started in the book trade in the Uk i9n 1984 and never had the opportunity to ever sell Harlan's books in mass market editions- except 'Shatterday', which had one paperback printing. I sold the odd print on demand one and 'Dangerous Visions', but it's always really burned me I couldn't introduce more of my customers to the great man's work.

[@jamesrowland9982]

I have two of Ellison's books in Hebrew. One is Dangerous Visions and the other I cannot recall and I have to look for it. Foreign languages editions are fun to collect.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Never had this urge myself, but I know several people who do. For me space has always been an issue, since I was 14.

[@jamesrowland9982]

Same here about the having enough space.@@outlawbookselleroriginal

[@JayAr709]

The Beast That Shouted Love at The Heart of The World

[@nunyabizness6595]

Alot of those titles were also in paperback with covers by Leo and Diane Dillon who Ellison much preferred and so do I. They had more imagination, almost like woodcuts.❤❤❤

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Yes, they were great jackets.

[@themojocorpse1290]

I Find these episodes so helpful lots of information and a lovely collection of A format paperbacks . I have been trying to root some of these books out but depending on what copies and how much you want to spend I’ve not found it as easy to pick up Harlan ellison books as I have other authors. Many thanks as always the search continues 🫡

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

That arises from his attitude toward publishers as I suggested- despite his reputation, there were no A or B format reissue programmes after 1983, which meant he was lost the generation who came of age to read Dick, Bester et al in the late eighties. Shame, as he hamstrung himself there. I keep hoping that now he's gone, his best works will be reissued as proper books rather than print on demand volumes with dull covers, but no sign.

[@Anthony-w3q3m]

Deathbird Stories was a great one from Harlan Ellison. I read his comic book Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor in the 90's and that was good as well. He was a genius - although maybe a bit too shy!😄

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Yeah, I LOVE 'Deathbird'.

[@yourwindowsill]

i have this edition of SpiderKiss as well. Mine has the coloured photo of him on the back. I didn't realize their were 2...prefer the B&W photo now that i see it. It would be interesting to see you do a video of RockN'Roll novels, as i am curious to learn of some that i might have overlooked.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

That will happen. I've read quite a number and have strong feelings about them!

[@yourwindowsill]

you have got me interested in the rock novel by Mick Farren now i noticed mention of in one of your other videos. If only i could find a copy. I happened to find a copy of the book CORPSE by him not too long ago, but i have yet to read it.@@outlawbookselleroriginal

[@RodneyAllanPoe]

How marvelous to see all of those crispy Ellison paperbacks - thank you. In Australia they're as rare as Philip K. Dicks, and then when you find one it's always "in a state" condition. Stephen King alerted me to Harlan Ellison via his brilliant horror treatise DANSE MACABRE. He starts by saying, "You can't separate the man from the work." So true. You must have seen the Ellison doco DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH?

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Bought the Ellison doc on DVD as soon as it was issued. Love it. As you can see, all the ones I bought new have been curated with great love. It's been hard to find HE paperbacks in the UK always, for the reasons I cited and as people tend to hang onto them.

[@rickkearn7100]

Ellison was fairly novel I'd say, among SF writers and fiction authors in general. He was sort of the bully on the SF and Science Fantasy playground. I understand Ellison had many stories and novellas that never ended up in anthologies and thus have remained unpublished beyond their debuts. I wonder if they could be gathered in an anthology at some point, published with the permission of the estate? Would that be feasible in your opinion, OB? As always, a very thorough and informative tutorial on this great writer. Top shelf! Cheers.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Yes, an Uncollected Stories would be very welcome. I don't follow what the estate are doing, I just keep my fingers crossed that they'll somehow get his books back into mass market editions that bookshops will actually stock. It's high time!

[@waltera13]

Well, I already put the "Caveat Lector " story on the last video so I'll point out something else; what you don't hear much nowadays is how no one could read a Harlan Ellison story like Harlan. I got to see him live and interact with him a number of times over the years, and one of the great things to see was which stories he would read. If he was doing a convention he would often have a staged talk on each day so he'd make a point to read two or three different stories depending on how many different appointments he had. I remember seeing him when he was supporting the book "Angry Candy." OMG, "poisoned bonbons" is right! He was able to bring life to his prose and sweep you away in a crowded auditorium hushed with attention like few others. That weekend at the big auditorium shows he read "Soft Monkey" on one day and "The Function of Dream Sleep" on the other. Most clips of him reading you'll find on the internet are from when he is very old, has less control over his voice, and has already re-read these stories that he had written 30 years before hundreds of times; Ellison was a bit of a showman, and fed off of the audience's attention, giving a performance you could not duplicate alone in a room with a microphone. At these sort of gatherings he would give you the behind-the-scenes of writing the books, the how and the why he was clashing with publishers, explaining the business, science fiction, answering questions, and spending a lot of time plugging other authors including young upcoming ones whose names you don't know. He was actually very kind, generous and earnest. As to the gruffness, and snapping? He was just like a thousand New Yorkers I've known across my life. Most people just aren't lucky enough to hang out with New Yorkers, so they don't 'get it.' The particular convention that I'm describing was held at a large University using their VERY large auditorium. The only thing that compared to his attendance were the advanced trailer sneak peek reels, and the only one who may have surpassed him, **may have**, in audience interaction was Adam West. Not Poul Anderson, not Isaac Asimov, not the other literary luminaries or movie stars. This was the water he swam in, and the world he lived in, so when he would reference it, people would just think he was speaking out of his ass, being self-aggrandizing, or just plain making things up. And out of the context of seeing him alive, in space, he can sometimes sound like a blowhard. But what I have to tell 99% of them. . . . . . You weren't there. You don't know shit.

[@waltera13]

​ @outlawbookselleroriginal BTW, I mean the Impersonal, Generic "you". I'm not attacking 'you' Steve. Just want to be clear, I know that there's a lot of meds involved.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

I probably would have loved him in person, like I love Spinrad- passion! As for reading, few authors are good at it, but I imagine HE was great. M John Harrison is the best I've ever heard.

[@waltera13]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal CONTENT WARNING: APOLOGIA: It's interesting. Understanding what you heard when you talked to him is definitely improved by years of social experience and observation of people and types and how we all make justifications. His modern detractors belie their inexperience when they dress down quotes out of context as "inappropriate." I'm not saying he was a saint, or blameless in everything as a cherubim (nor would HE BTW) but it's important to understand why his actions and words were justified to **him**. When he'd be recounting confrontations that others would use as proof as his pettiness his versions would always have A LOT more details and exchanges. Some brush this off as his self justification, but a lot of the people he was tussling with were just the sort of self serving behind the scenes petty demagogues that would forget half of what they said in any interactions b/c other humans aren't important to them. They were practiced at looking the cooler part of conflict - and Harlan did not care how he looked in such a case, he only cared about the TRUTH. (Sometimes it was *his* truth, but . . . ) Harlan did not suffer bullies (or sociopaths) gladly. Friends of his like Moorcock & Gaiman would've looked at the same situations and known they were dealing with petty warlords & not engaged. Mature. Reasonable. But the only reason Harlan was a writer at all, successful at all was that he had the drive & tenacity (and HE would agree, the *stupidity* ) to never back down. So he would never walk away from a fight. Even the ones he should've. It was a different time and to many of his detractors grew up in a more sanitized world that left H behind. OK, I've gotten long winded and maudlin & strayed from the "brilliant" observation I was making. I'll have to keep working on this essay on somebody else's dime. Thanks for the eyes. (If anyone read this far.)

[@vintagesf]

Both you and Kenny love Ellison. I plan to start with Deathbird. I do love “A” format books. I find there is some slight variations in height. Wondering if it is in the trimming process during printing. Also, why did publishers move away from the “A” format? Is the “mass market” paperback its replacement?

[@waltera13]

With all kindness and sincerity, I started with Deathbird and it was depressing.. . draining. It really has a cumulative effect. May I respectfully suggest a "Paingod" or perhaps a "Beast that shouted Love at the Heart of the World?" Both *lovely* choices as well.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

I agree with Walter below. You are better to read 'Beast' first and get used to Ellison's savagery and uncompromising approach. 'Deathbird' takes this up a notch or ten and as Ellison himself says in the frontispiece, it's intense stuff. The 'A Format' is a mass market format. The 'B Format', which is commonplace since the late 1980s, indicated 'literary quality'. I have talked about this in several videos and am this week filming a 'formats overview' video which will go up in around ten days to pin ti down again as people keep asking- the history is quite interesting. A & B are mass market, anything larger than B is a Trade Paperback, but there are 3 formats at least within that category- some people call B's trade paperbacks, which is incorrect, though it wasn't once. All will be revealed. The B is the 'replacement' for the A, yes. Re detail of A format sizing, there are some differences at times, which are down to which printers the publishers use and some North America/UK differentials too- and once upon a time, major publishers all had their own presses, though this is less common now, shame.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Completely agree Walter- 'Deathbird' is grim, but it's also great art, but not, as you say, the best entry point.

[@vintagesf]

@@waltera13 Thank you Walter. I appreciate the advice. At this time the only other Ellison book I’ve got on my shelves is Approaching Oblivion. Of course I can find stories online but I’m patient and will keep looking for more Ellison.

[@vintagesf]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal Thank you Steve. Will wait for Deathbird Stories until I’ve read some other Ellison collections. Loved the Ace paperbacks you shared. More and more I find myself drawn to continuity in graphic design by publishing companies. Not sure how I can do a deep dive into this topic. Looking forward to your video on formats. Really appreciate your sharing your expertise in the industry.

[@mathewguglielmi8451]

I am more familiar with Harlan Ellison for his many apperances in interviews as a cultural pundit and critic. I first became aware of him when his story Shatterday was adapted in the 1980's revival of The Twilight Zone and for writing City on the Bridge of Forever for Star Trek. The creator of Babylon 5, Joseph Michael Stracynsky, was a close friend of Harlan Ellison and was appointed as executor of his estate and has announced that Harlan Ellison's books will be back in print.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Yes, aware of all this. But so far, no mass market/major publisher reissues- let's hope JMS isn't being too precious about deals- new generations need to have this stuff in their hands in handsome pro publisher editions or his legacy will be lost in a couple of decades. Thanks for your comment- and tell me, have you read his work?

[@mathewguglielmi8451]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal , as a child in the growing up in 1980's i remember seeing several of his works available for sale here in Australia. Unfortunately i haven't read any of his fiction, apart from his original screenplay for City on the Edge of Forever.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

@@mathewguglielmi8451 Well, try and pick something up, you're missing out!

[@Spacejack-xx2yp]

My eye went right to the 80s Aces because I have a bunch of those, but with red ink on the spine instead of blue. Do they do that kind of change when there's a price markup to make it easier to know in the warehouse which is which? Or are these UK? I'm squinting and those look like dollar signs.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Ace books are always USA- Ace are not and have never been a UK publisher, nor have they enjoyed any regular UK distribution. The colour toning of textblocks was to ensure that acid browning didn't tone the paper before they left the warehouse if they sat there unsold for long period. The colours would be just what they had at the time. If you ever find UK pbks with coloured textblocks pre 2000, -they are very, very rare-these are publisher file reference copies that have been sold on to dealers.

[@Spacejack-xx2yp]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal Not the toning; the color of Ellison's name on the spine. Most of mine are red or purple. But I guess that could just be an ink hopper thing if they weren't particular about that part of the design.

[@henrythefilit]

I saw Ellison at the World Science Fiction Convention held in St. Louis in 1969. He was drafted (reluctantly) to be an auctioneer at an interesting offering of SF items and other material. HE was impressed by an item that he wouldn’t show any of the other bidders. If memory serves, Ackerman and Silverberg laughingly made sight unseen bids prior to dropping out around $75.00. With no other bids Ellison got the item for under $100 bucks. The item? A vintage Mickey Mouse watch. Like you said, you either loved or couldn’t stand him. No middle ground. Wonderful writer, problematic person.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

I recall reading that anecdote somewhere many years back.

[@nunyabizness6595]

Just watched your vid on HE's beast that shouted....and now this. Great stuff. I and a friend interviewed HE in the 70s cassette recorder in hand at the PhilCon which was the Philadelphia SF convention. Interviewed him for my college paper. I have it in a scrapbook but sadly the cassettes are lost to time. HE called me out on something silly i said but he was correct to. I will always have that as a cherished memory so anyone who thinks that HE is only ever abrasive is incorrect. HE just didnt like idiots. I dont know what he would do nowadays especially in Hollywood and the whole woke thing!😂😂😂

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

That must have been a blast!

[@AJBell-dh6ry]

I agree that we need more writers like Ellison, in the sense that Ellison was gutsy, his work has energy and urgency; more voice than you can shake a stick at. Not every story is a masterpiece, but a mediocre Ellison story is still way more interesting than most stuff coming out now.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Totally agree!

[@joebrooks4448]

Thanks for bringing Ellison back into the discussion, that is important to SF. I really liked a lot of his short stories, his work that appears in "The Outer Limits" is great. Demon With A Glass Hand. Sure, production was shoestring, but his writing sure wasn't. I think "The Region Between" is a masterpiece, but it is a difficult read. He has many. I always considered him "New Wave". I cannot recall him doing anything but promoting all styles of SF and authors, and he was kind of a role model. Not for young adults, maybe, but certainly for grown men and women SF writers. He was instrumental in getting A. E. Van Vogt and others the recognition they deserved. Van Vogt was really kind of cancelled by the mid 1970s. Ellison did not tolerate that. If allowed, here is a video of him discussing Van Vogt and many others: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2S5en6tfZ6mm68

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Thanks for the video. I actually pity the readers of today who have never read Ellison's keynote works- some of the finest examples of genre storytelling I've ever had the bliss of reading. There are two types of people in the world- Ellison devotees and the rest, right?!

[@joebrooks4448]

​ @outlawbookselleroriginal Of course! Besides Van Vogt, Ellison collaborated with Keith Laumer, who was about as traditional SF as you can get! Laumer wrote with some serious knowledge, having served in the US Air Force and the US Diplomatic Corps. Ellison welcomed everyone to SF, as it should be - I think within the divisions of the targeted mature and youth magazines, that we had. It seems Ellison included Laumer, [d or D]el Ray in Dangerous Visions? Yes. He spoke what he thought. I read about it frequently from 1966 forward! Incredible, I had no clue: "In the initial announcement, Straczynski stated his intention to market the book to publishers in March/April 2021. He then reported sending the finished manuscript to an agent on September 26, 2021,[9] with an updated word count of 112,000.[10] On July 10, 2022, Straczynski announced on Twitter that The Last Dangerous Visions will be published on September 1, 2024, by Blackstone Publishers.[11]" There is even a Van Vogt in here. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Dangerous_Visions

[@allanlloyd3676]

I'm afraid I'm more of the Chris Priest school of thought on Ellison. I do enjoy some of his work but I don't like his need to continually pick fights and boast about his work. I have no idea how many of his stories about his past were true. Both Moorcock and Silverberg seemed to doubt many of his versions of his history. I liked Mike's story of taking Harlan to meet a punk band in a London pub. They were great admirers of his work. He took one look at them and did a runner back to his hotel, so did he "run with New York punks"?. If "All the Lies that are my Life" was about his relationship with Silverberg, it was pretty unpleasant to Silverberg. And I really don't believe the story he told his biographer about being carried out of the desert by Steve McQueen. I won't go into "The Last Dangerous Visions" story because Chris has already done that, but he did cause problems to many writers by preventing their stories from being published elsewhere over many years. He fell out with many publishers by promising them work that he never wrote. I'm sure he could be a nice guy to his friends, but anyone who crossed him was in trouble, so I'm quite pleased that I never saw or met him.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Yes, Chris' expose of 'Last' was damning- he gave me a copy of the original signed 30 copy limited edition when I met him for the first time in 87- he was handing it out at the Worldcon- I think you can still get the Fantagraphics revised edition. Ellison's NY Punks were not the 'Punk Rockers' though, of course. I'm aware of the 'Lies'/Silverberg thing in detail. Despite all this, I still like much of the work, but can understand anyone dislking the self-mythologising- but maybe that was part of his fiction? Good to hear from you as ever, mate.

[@kennyrh9269]

Ahhh . . .what a wonderful video. Brought a smile to my face and put me in the best of moods. It's good to have an informed appraisal of the great man and a look at some of his books. As a huge devotee I was absolutely stunned that I had none of those Ace editions. Haven't even seen one - totally unaware of their existence. Must get me a bibliography from somewhere. I used to call myself a Disciple back in the 60s/70s . . .still do. I'm not given to self-promotion but as a fellow Ellison lover you might be interested in this little tribute from a few years ago in which I showed my barely adequate book collection.kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5rQpqOGdtWgj7c . Anyway Stephen once again thanks so much for this - best vid I've seen this year.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Many thanks, Kenny, you're very kind. Although I picked up a couple second hand as you saw, as I say I got these from an import specialist- we still have Forbidden Planet UK and Forbidden Planet International (two different companies since the top guys had a schism - confusingly, International is .co.uk and UK is .com, International being called that as it has a New York shop) but the commitment to books in both is woeful these days, though I haven't been to the London shop in ten years, but I'll remedy that this winter). But of course the backlist publishing in the USA just isn't the same, shame. Fantastic Literature have a copy of 'Partners In Wonder' in Ace and Cold Tonnage has both 'Spider Kiss' variants. I'm picking up a spare copy of another Ace one soon- can't recall which one, but it's an upgrade, so the spare will go on my ebay, will give you a heads up.

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

Interesting videos with a nice amount of Ace books. I did an introductory video a few backs back on Ellison, where I just covered what I have….I have a few others more now, but you might find it interesting. An endlessly interesting character I I think. Here’s the video if you’re curious - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6GTnnmYYp6afLc

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Good vid. Some of those things I let go, like 'The Glass Teat' from Savoy. Love a bit of Harlan, thanks for your kind words!

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal thank you. Glass Teat is Harlan all over so I wouldn’t want to do without that one haha. When I reread it next year it will probably get on my nerves but there ya go, it’s one of those things.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

@@bookssongsandothermagic - I still have 'Harlan Ellison's Watching' can't recall if it dupes stuff from 'Teat'.

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

@@outlawbookselleroriginal I’m pretty sure Watching is much more recent - the two are collected rants from Ellison’s mouth from different periods. :)

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

@@bookssongsandothermagic -I think you're right. I only bought it a coupla years back and haven't given it a full investigation yet.

[@SHONNER]

Ben Bova wanted nothing to do with The Star Lost as well. Too much Land of the Lost in space.

[@nunyabizness6595]

The only exception i would make is not to mention Voyage since he put his pseudonym that he would use when they butchered his script (I.e. The Starlost). I would only mention Outer Limits, Twilight Zone (80s), B5 and Star Trek as far as his TV work. Never bring up that weirdo Irwin Allen.😂😂😂😮

[@Scottlp2]

Harlan Ellison? Going to need alcohol or sedatives. After reading “I have no mouth and must scream” decades ago, I’ve never read anything by him again. Hint: his publisher did something again his wishes (put cigarette ad in a book of his) and Harlan got revenge by shipping a dead animal 3rd class shipping to the publisher. The box sat in mail room awhile.

[@outlawbookselleroriginal]

Know this story well about the dead gopher-I seem to recall it's actually related to a TV script for 'Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'. You should return to him and read more. There's more to him than just 'I Have No Mouth...'. Try and pick up 'Beast That Shouted..', seriously!

[@Scottlp2]

Are all/most disturbing? Larry Niven said his mother read “a boy and His Dog” which sounded innocuous but apparently isn’t.