Good essay.
Interesting guy, great writer, not sure he was a very likable human being.
Few writers are, AFAIK. Those that naturally spend lifetimes in other worlds rarely are, and yet one could safely assume that the majority would have friends. Maybe they focused on those dear relationships and simply couldn’t spare any fucks for the punters. Who’s to say.
At a Star Trek convention circa 1980, an extra fee bought lunch with Mr Ellison. There were about 200 people at a dozen tables, but I get to brag that I had lunch with him once.
He made a few funny remarks, but my impression was that he was uncomfortable, not having a good time, and wished he was eating alone. Maybe wished he wasn’t at a Star Trek convention.
Good story being there. Doesn’t seem like the type who would go to conventions for the love of fandom, so likely a financial decision that might have been irritating for him.
