A little over a month ago, the goddess of books and reading saw fit to give me word of the Great Ellison Book Purge, wherein the legendarily prickly science fiction author Harlan Ellison had seen fit to free up some storage space by selling off a wide variety of items from his personal collection.

Being a longtime devoted fan, I naturally wasn’t going to let this go without getting something. I obtained the brochure and studied it carefully, marveling at some of the truly extravagant items on offer–some of which were available at astonishingly low prices. (Two copies of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman: Book of Dreams, one from the ultra-rare first print run, and both signed by Gaiman to Ellison? And only $350?!?!? If only I’d had that much to spare. Sigh.) I made a few selections, prepared myself for speed-dial, and awaited the hour.

When I made it through, my first couple of choices were taken. However, my third was available, and as it turned out, I’m happier with it than I would have been with the others…

You have before you an absolutely pristine copy of the first hardcover printing of The Beast That Shouted Love at the Heart of the World, published in 1970. Apart from a 1969 Avon paperback mangled by an overzealous editor (and subsequently disowned by Ellison), this is a first edition. It spent the last 40 years in a box in Ellison’s house. (The plastic cover you see above was put on it by me, today.) Only $45, plus shipping.

Oh, and did I mention that personalization was included?

I have a fairly significant collection of signed SF first editions, but I’d really been wanting to get an Ellison. So this made me happy. It will have a place of honor.

But of course, it’s not going to just be sitting there. After all, I haven’t read most of the stories in it. So it’s also going to be read, as a good book should. (Yes, I know that reading harms the condition. I don’t care. I get books signed out of respect for the author, not as an investment.)

So pleased was I about the purchase, in fact, that I decided to get bold. While I had Susan on the phone, I asked if the good man might be willing to sign another book of his that I had. One thing led to another, and eventually this happened:

So overall, I’d say it was a most productive endeavor. Now, if only I can get a Greg Egan…

Have I ever mentioned what a complete and utter author whore I am?