‘Dangerous Visions’ and Harlan Ellison Memorial Library

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There’s been a lot of big things going on in sci fi and fantasy news this past week! One of the biggest is the announcement of memorialising the late Harlan and Susan Ellison’s home into a library. But in connection with that is an upcoming volume of an anthology series that features dark and terrifying futuristic fiction that Mr. Ellison had edited, “Dangerous Visions”. 

Third and Final Volume In An Anthology Series

The new “Dangerous Visions” anthology will be the third and final volume in the series, according to science fiction/fantasy TV writer/producer, J. Michael Straczynski. The first book in the series, “Dangerous Visions”, was published in 1967 and the second, titled “Again, Dangerous Visions”, in 1972, both of which were edited by Harlan Ellison. According to Straczynski, in 1973 a third and final volume, “The Last Dangerous Visions” (LDV), was announced and had a planned 1974 release date but was never finished. He says that the delay in the completion and release of the third book “have evolved into the greatest mystery in the field of science fiction.” The explanation for the book’s delay, Straczynski says, was only given to a very small number of people but it will be revealed to the public when the book is completed. 

LDV will consist of stories intended for its earlier release as well as new stories. That first category consists of works that are as relevant now as they were when they were first written, says Straczynski. The new stories will be ones by today’s popular writers in the speculative fiction genre (the names of these authors have not yet been revealed to the public) and ones by new, young authors. The book will also feature illustrations by Tim Kirk. 

In addition to the above contents, a never-before-published work by Harlan Ellison, one that is directly connected to “the reason why ‘The Last Dangerous Visions’ has taken so long to come to light”, will be included. This work will “close off the last of Harlan’s major unpublished works.” Combining the stories of the original release date’s era with those of today will reflect both the book’s initial 1970s period and our own 2000s while looking toward possible futures. Straczynski says that “The Last Dangerous Visions” will go to market around March or April of 2021. 

The Harlan and Susan Ellison Memorial Library

The royalties from the sales of “The Last Dangerous Visions” will be put into upkeeping the upcoming Harlan and Susan Ellison Memorial Library. This library will be on the Ellisons’ Southern California home property, known as Ellison Wonderland, as they had desired, says Straczynski. Straczynski, who is Executor of the Ellison Estate, says that people will be allowed to tour the estate in small groups and academics will be able to study Mr. Ellison’s correspondence and original manuscripts and drafts. Also, in the works is the declaration of the Ellison house as a Cultural Landmark. 

Straczynski is offering a chance to Ellison fans to help pay the costs of both upkeeping the estate as well as transitioning it into a Trust. Fans can do this by purchasing membership with one of Straczynski’s Patreon tiers that he will make available for five months through April of next year. Membership through this tier will give Patrons first knowledge of the names of authors contributing work to the anthology, first glance at parts of manuscripts and story excerpts before the book goes to publication, as well as glances at the illustrator’s art. 

Also In the Week’s Sci Fi/Fantasy News . . . 

New Editor of “Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction”: Author Sheree Renee Thomas has been appointed the new editor for “The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction”. Thomas will take over as editor starting with the March/April 2021 issue, according to Tor.com. The publication was started in 1949 and is one of the few remaining speculative fiction print magazines. Many big name speculative fiction authors contributed work to the magazine including Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury and Harlan Ellison. 

Short Story Series at Wired: From now until the end of the year, Wired.com will feature science fiction stories from six authors in the genre in a series called “The Future of Work”. These stories will deal with the relationship between humans and machines in the future work environment. The first of these stories released Friday, November 13th.

What big name speculative fiction writers do you think will contribute work to “The Last Dangerous Visions”? Will you try to visit the Harlan and Susan Ellison Memorial Library when it opens (date has not yet been announced)? Feel free to drop your answers and any other comments in the box below. 

Until next time . . .