J. Michael Straczynski naming names in the afterword of The Last Dangerous Visions for…reasons? This seems wildly irresponsible and self-serving at the very least. Redacted are the name of eleven “diverse” writers.
I am guessing he must have felt the need to pre-emptively blame someone else for the lack of diversity in the anthology he edited (the final version of).
Can't really see that turning out very well for him.
That seems the most obvious reason. But he contextualizes by saying how "a single misstep or perceived endorsement can be a terminal mistake. This is not necessarily the time to be dangerous." So, "They don't think they'd be safe being associated with this anthology. I herewith associate them."
I was approached by him.
I said no.
He was uninterested in why and immediately stopped communicating with me.
Didn't even say, "fair enough, bye".
So I really dig this mind-reading about the reasons.
I clearly made the right decision.
"Some of the best entries in my rolodex are diverse" energy. (Money on him having an actual rolodex)
Or this sets up a prestige deluxe edition including an appendix reproducing his solicitations and subsequent rejections, you know, for the definitive account of this self-compounded "controversy."
OTOH, it seems to have turned out great for him. He hasn't lost gigs, and he clearly thinks he's right and doesn't need to listen to anyone's opinions. He seems to be doing just fine.
This is coming out today.
There are already plenty of people reacting negatively to it.
It usually takes at least 24 hours before anything like this reaches critical mass, and sometimes it dies down for a while.
"This is a thirty-year-old, at least, unfinished book, Ellison was an asshole, and I have markets that will get more attention than a thirty-year-old unfinished anthology."
"How politically correct of you!"
I certainly agree with the criticism here. While for the most part, I found that introduction to be an extraordinary piece of writing, dropping the names of the writers who didn’t want to be included, all while saying “I respect their decision“ is mind blowingly clueless.
Nnngnnghh nnnnnghghgh nggggggn NGGGH
(froths at the mouth and falls unconscious)
(wakes up a few hours later and remembers this happened)
nnnngh NNNNNNNGGGGHHHH
Oh. And I forgot to mention that if Ellison didn't choose to buy any stories by "diverse" writers that says something horrible about his anthologizing, which reinforces that an Ellison-authored story collection is nowhere you want to be.
