Harlan Ellison

"A Great American Short Story Author"

Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Special Collections


UMBC
http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/specoll/popcul.php





Jack of All Trades


Bluejay Books, 1983
Harlan Ellison is, as the Washington Post proclaimed, “one of the great living American short story writers.” With an accomplished career spanning a vast landscape of literary categories including fantasy, horror, science fiction, and journalism, it appears that there is no field too daunting for the talents of Ellison.

In addition, his contributions to classic icons such as “The Twilight Zone” and “The Outer Limits” have spawned nothing but critical accolades in the film and television industries.



Haunting Vision

Though primarily characterized as a science fiction author, there are few literary fields which Harlan Ellison has not dazzled steadily and effortlessly over the years with a carnal imagination and darkly illusory prose unmatched in the industry.

Macmillan Company, 1971

It is this singular hint of foreboding and subtle anticipation of dread that distinguishes Ellison’s work and has preserved his seat in the annals of horror and fantasy.

The heritage he leaves are inspired works such as Deathbird Stories, Approaching Oblivion, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, and Stalking the Nightmare, which will doubtless continue to tingle the spines of readers long into the future.




A Man of Many Honors


Pyramid Books, 1972
Amidst mesmerizing legions of fans and critics, he has garnished an endless bounty of praise and honors for his efforts many times over. Ellison has received the Horror Writers Association Bram Stoker Award 6 times over and was awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.

He has been honored by the Mystery Writers of America with the Edgar Allen Poe Award twice in addition to the American Mystery Award. He has been recognized for his science fiction contributions at least 8 times with the Hugo Award and 3 times with the Nebula.



Exhaustive Legacy


Walker and Company, 1974
Ellison has also received hefty accolades from the fantasy associations, including the World Fantasy Award and the British Fantasy Award. Through the years he has also accumulated a prestigious audience in drama and entertainment.

For his efforts in these fields he has been honored such: 4 times with the Writers Guild of America’s Most Outstanding Teleplay Award for Solo Work; twice with the Audie Award; the Ray Bradbury Award, and a Grammy Nomination for Spoken Word Recordings.

To top it off, Harlan Ellison was also presented with the Silver Pen for Journalism for his early documentary writings.



Continuing Trend of Success


Phantasia Press, 1982
The dizzying tower of honors will likely be extended as Ellison continues to lend his dark vision to scripts, television productions, and even comic strip tales.

In recent years, he has captivated a greener and more youthful audience while adapting his brooding tales to the dramatic pen and ink medium of the comic book. In the meantime, this master of all trades has yet to meet his equal in the literary arena or otherwise.




To Find Out More

Visit the following links to learn more about Harlan Ellison:




Credits

Special thanks to Amy McGarrahan (Special Collections Intern) and Nicole Smith (Special Collections Student Assistant) for their work on this project.

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Bibliography

Science Fiction Pulps:
  • The Science Fiction Source Book, Wingrove David; Van Nostrand Reinhold Company; 135 West 50th St; New York, NY 10020
  • Science Fiction, Roberts Adam, Routledge, 29 West 35th St; New York, NY 10001; 2000
  • Science Fiction Culture, Bacon-Smith Camille; University of Pennsylvania Press; Philadelphia; 19104-4011; 2000
  • 2000 AD. : Illustrations from the Golden Age of Science Fiction Pulps, Sadoul Jacques; H. Regnery; Chicago; 1975
  • Over My Shoulder: Reflections on a Science Fiction Era, Eshbach Lloyd Arthur; O. Train, Philadelphia; 1983
Science Fiction Fanzines:
  • Science Fiction Culture, Bacon-Smith Camille; University of Pennsylvania Press; Philadelphia; 19104-4011; 2000
  • The World of Fanzines, Wertham Fredrik MD. ; Southern Illinois University Press; Chicago; 1973
  • The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, Nicholls Peter ; Granada Publishing Limited; Frogmore; St. Albans, Herts AL2 2NF, 1979
  • DIY: The Rise of Lo-Fi Culture, Spencer Amy; Marion Boyars; London; New York; 2005