Harlan Ellison on Fandom

[@NameOfRain]

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.

[@LenHummelChannel]

He was one of the most unique and ornery {AND HONEST} minds and characters of this or any century.

[@DanielLambert23]

Name, I agree!

[@fortniteawesomeparodies2706]

​@Daniel Lambert I love how even when someone is talking about how he's really a nice guy, they still allude to the tongue lashing they got from him.

[@SOUPYSDEAD]

And dammit now it’s too late, few years ago I wanted to meet him but hsjsjshdd I can’t now 😢

[@FelixKrankenkilledmykids1974]

You are so lucky to meet him bro 😭

[@samvincent2181]

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

[@gosmith3999]

I sincerely doubt Mark Hamill as the antithesis of Mr. Ellison.

[@dustbites3557]

the one with the brain intact

[@darkarpatron]

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.

[@knoxvilleguy2]

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.

[@EhCanadianGamer]

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.

[@youronlinegirlfriend5508]

What's scarier is when one believes they are the goddamn oracle

[@tamaraclaw]

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.

[@marx007100]

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.

[@marx007100]

I did have that true to life tale partly incorrect.. I also had some hardcover first editions with the paperbacks. My now ex-wife was with me and it was her looks and charm that breached the gate and Harlan was all smiles.

[@memus5367]

@@marx007100 You still alive?

[@geminiwriter8875]

@@memus5367he isnt

[@AlluMan96]

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.

[@LenHummelChannel]

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

[@vulcangrl13]

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

[@movedacc]

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

[@knownmints]

Same LMAO

[@kittypeanut4102]

Hahaha, i would imagine! Same here

[@telosnium]

Lol same

[@plato_IV]

i love AM!! he's so cool!!

[@DarcyPerry-ne4xj]

Real

[@HECTOR2006ELPASO]

Damn, he doesn't pull any punches.

[@HansDelbruck53]

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

[@jaredgarcia8638]

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

[@Surviving_Horror]

I used to post stories on a website and I made a fan. According to this fan I was one of the greatest writers ever (i wasn't and that hasn't changed), but he loved my work. I remember because of all his compliments I decided to start working on a novel. I excitedly made that announcement and couldn't wait until my fan responded. Well he did and said that I wasn't that great of a writer and no one would care if I wrote a book. I was honestly shocked. I did it anyways, but that was the last time I ever interacted with that fan.

[@fortniteawesomeparodies2706]

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.

[@MulkEntertainment]

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

[@baasmans]

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.

[@octopibingo]

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.

[@plaguedoctormasque8089]

Asshurt or what

[@heebiejeepie]

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.

[@MultiSmartass1]

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.

[@MrXmyselfx]

I love his shirts.

[@dr.linova2319]

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

[@dougbrowne9890]

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.

[@MissPerriwinkle]

the aliens need his wit.

[@SilverArse]

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.

[@paullowman9131]

What a wonderful little troll; always loved him! 😁

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

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.

[@flyingwombat59]

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

[@ellie-kc4kj]

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!'

[@Devcynical]

bro did NOT need to murder me like that at the end- HOLY FUCK

[@followingtheroe1952]

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

[@warmecanic]

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

[@pod831]

He's dead.

[@warmecanic]

@@pod831 not in 2010 :D; some videos were removed back in the day.

[@invaderdork]

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

[@Levinewak]

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

[@Cacowninja]

@wmotamedi Do you have to get really violent?

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

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.

[@lesyayandfilksongs]

Do you really HAVE TO sign books?

[@marx007100]

No one makes a writer sign a book. Its done to promote and sell their newest published book. Harlan may bitch about it, but I have over 100 books/photos or poster he has signed for me (some inscribed) and always did it with a smile.

[@warmecanic]

of course you do, they were not free charge :D.

[@fajaklaus]

@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.

[@amaxamon]

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

[@ADenny12]

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 :(

[@DragonFly122]

What does his shirt say?

[@Cheezey_fries]

I have no clue

[@snowblind9551]

Feeendom.

[@Raelspark]

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

[@RodneyAllanPoe]

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

[@googlyarsetube]

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?

[@RobTFirefly]

"Twinks??"

[@octopibingo]

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.

[@lesyayandfilksongs]

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?

[@almanacofsleep]

Hurt feelings much?

[@Kaecyy]

He means get interested in the world and people in general, outside of SF as well as inside. He's right, I nearly didn't and that would have been a huge mistake.

[@Nictator42]

shared interests are fine, but often in fandom people put up the barrier of fantasy between themselves and their peers as a sort of cushion to protect themselves from the rawness of actual connection. You can still totally do that with nerdy interests, and many sports nerds also cushion themselves in the same way too

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

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.

[@dirtsheep557]

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.

[@jdgustofwinddance.7748]

He enjoys the money but not the fans. Typical.

[@357plaguerats]

did... did you not watch the video?

[@Dinobot_Sigma]

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.

[@Yatsura2]

Well, if you think people are _"pieces of shit"_ because they have to poop or eat, then you literally called *EVERYONE ON THIS FUCKING PLANET* a piece of shit. Well done! Seems totally legit! Ay lmao

[@plaguedoctormasque8089]

Harlan is too real for you? I love him. I'd rather have him bite my head off over say the ending of A boy and his dog then kiss my ass and placate me. Sorry to All the Ass kissed out there, who exist to berate all those who are obvious ly better human beings then they have the ability to be.

[@plaguedoctormasque8089]

Sorry to be proving the fact that you live to have your ass kissed.

[@marx007100]

Well, its been 2 years since Jonathan gave use his view of Harlan. He sounds like a jilted fan or just a cry baby. I knew Harlan and he could be a cranky pain-in-the-ass at times, but he had a big heart in the times it was needed the most. I can vouch for that personally. So...fuck you Johnny...you little man.

[@colderester7058]

my favourite asshole. he was our tiny little angry ball of hate

[@megapants444]

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

[@megapants444]

kay