Update on Harlan Ellison's Recovery

As most of you know, science fiction author Harlan Ellison suffered a stroke last month, and has been steadily recovering. We recently heard from Harlan’s webmaster, Rick Wyatt, who gave us an update. Ellison continues to improve, and is now actively posting in the forums on his web site again:

HARLAN ELLISON
– Sunday, November 9 2014 11:21:48

SUNDAY PRO FORMA CHECK-IN:

Just to let you know all is copacetic here. Brian Phillips, thank you for the heads-up about Billy and Miriam. I called and we spoke.
Both are extremely dear to me, and I am in your debt for the shout-out.
AT-C, you grow more formidable in gravitas by the day.
Steve Barber and The Pipes of the Siren: go thee well, return to us smoothly.
As for Frank and Le and the rest of you…the air still swirls, the sands still roil, another day in the neighborhood.

Yr. Pal, Harlan

AT-C is Adam-Troy Castro, who posted one of the first notes about Ellison’s stroke on Facebook, information we included in our original story about the circumstances.

Ellison even has posted news about a possible reboot of The Starlost. In response to a fan’s lament that Hollywood is only circling around known quantities, such as Star Wars or Star Trek:

HARLAN ELLISON
– Tuesday, November 4 2014 9:11:33

CHIN-UP TO BEN WINFIELD

In fact, Ben, there are preliminary negotiations swirling and
roilng, even as I respond to your remarks, to launch THE STARLOST again. When IDW produced the spectacular comic-book series (and
immediately thereafter the gorgeous hardcover graphic novel) this year, it hit with substantial publicity, note, and impact, went on
the New York Times bestseller list and stayed there for three weeks.

There has been constant an serious nibbling at the project for both
feature film and tv series production. That said, it is–as always–blue smoke and mirrors till the Big Check Clears. But it is far from impossible, or even unlikely.

Just thought I’d lift your spirits.

Yr. Pal, Harlan

The Starlost was a Canadian television series created by Ellison in 1973, broadcast on CTV and syndicated in the United States. The story follows the colony ship Earthship Ark as it wanders the cosmos after being thrown off course. Starring Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey), the show ran for sixteen episodes. Ellison’s involvement ended before the first episode even aired, however, due to his growing dissatisfaction with changes in the production necessitated by budget cuts and other issues. The name “Harlan Ellison” doesn’t appear in the credits, but rather Ellison’s “I’m not claiming this project” pseudonym of “Cordwainer Bird”.

IDW Publishing recently issued a comic book adaptation of the original screenplay Phoenix Without Ashes, which was also turned into a novel by Edward Bryant in 1975, and Ellison’s comment seems to indicate at least there have been discussions about further exploration of the story.

Further updates as they develop.