At his best, brilliant, one of the best writers in the genre, who frequently transcends it. At his worst, he writes stuff like he needed to make a car payment.

Prolific and talented. . .he won an award for "Repent, Harlequin" - a fantastic sci-fi short story. . .

A dazzling, yet inconsistent writer. Possibly one of America's most prolific short story writers.
Also an extremely funny and engaging speaker. A role model both for standing up for ones-self and for crossing the line into obnoxiousness. But all-in-all "Thank gods for the Harlan Ellisons of the world" for showing us that we don't have to take it anymore.

The greatest American short story writer of the 20th century.

When he's on, he's superb--he writes stories that are impossible to forget. "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" I can still remember as though I'd just read it yesterday. On the other hand, this guy is a complete jerk, and I can think of no better application of Jonathan Swift's remark: "Sometimes I read a book with pleasure, and detest its author."

One of the greatest short story writers ever. Angry, philosophical, humorous and sometimes scary, he is able to craft a concept into a tightly structured, fast paced short story that would take other less gifted authors many chapters or even a whole novel to tell.

I can't believe it either! HE is one of the greatest writers of the century, for sure. (Incidentally, he loathes the sci fi and fantasy labels, preferring to just call himself a writer, and certainly his work spans all genres).

I cant believe he is rated so low.

One of the finest writers of the 20th Century