Ellison Attends His Last Convention

No one would ever accuse acclaimed science-fiction writer Harlan Ellison of being shy. The opinionated writer has been a fan favorite on the convention circuit for the last several decades but time may have run out to see Ellison at a con. Ellison announced last week that he’s dying and that his appearance at last weekend’s MadCon 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin would be his last.

“The truth of what’s going on here is that I’m dying,” Ellison told The Daily Page. “I began to sense it back in January. By that time, I had agreed to do the convention. And I said, I can make it. I can make it.'”

Ellison’s appearance at the con had been in doubt due to some health issues leading up to event. However, all reports indicate that Ellison was able to make and that despite promises, he didn’t drop dead on stage.

“This is gonna be the biggest f–king science-fiction convention ever,” Ellison predicted before the event began, “because no con has ever had a guest of honor drop dead while performing for the g-ddamn audience. The only comparison is the death of Patrick Troughton, at a Doctor Who convention. And I don’t think he was even onstage.”