Joe Haldeman

Harry, you've always been one of the best storytellers I've known, in a lifetime of hanging around with professional BS-ers -- but the one that really stands out in my memory comes from when we first knew you and Joan, about where you hid the contraband booze when you drove in from Mexico. ¡Gross-out!

You won't remember this ... but I wrote a scene in a novella and, after I'd sent it in and it had been accepted, I read through the carbons and realized I had unconsciously stolen a lot of it from DEATHWORLD. I sent you a copy of the carbons with profuse apologies -- and you sent me back a postcard saying where you had lifted the stuff from.

You were the first writer I knew to have a word processor, out there in high-tech Ireland. The tape-recorder memory didn't quite work, but it was still a kind of science-fictional miracle.

You wrote two of the best books I've read.

Your leadership in World SF changed our lives, Gay and me -- giving us introductions to science fiction types all over the world. I know what your game is, pal -- you wanted us to keep on the road all the time so I wouldn't write a lot of competing books. But we have had a great time wandering.

A lot of grappa down the drain, old friend. Have a hell of a good birthday.

Joe Haldeman