All Good Thoughts for All Good Things
Today I received my contributor's copy of All Good Thoughts: A Celebration of Samuel R. Delany's 70th Birthday, edited and privately published by artist Ric Best. There are only 30 copies of this gorgeous hardcover book in existence, which includes original contributions by folks like Alan Moore, Denys Howard, Edmund White, Ellen Datlow, Junot Díaz, Ken James, Mia Wolff, Michael Cunningham, Neil Gaiman, Randy Byers, Ron Drummond, Sarah Schulman, Kim Stanley Robinson, Vashti Bandy, Vincent Czyz, and Vonda N. McIntyre, among others. Wow! Many wonderful letters, anecdotes, essays, poems, drawings, and Mia Wolff's marvelous watercolor portrait of Chip, beautifully reproduced on the front cover, all in homage to, celebration of, and love for one of the finer human beings currently walking the earth, the inimitable Samuel R. Delany. The back cover has a photo of Ric and Chip moments after Ric presented Chip with the first proof copy; Chip is hugging the book tightly to his chest and both men are laughing with delight. Splendid! I cannot begin to say what an honor it is to be Chip's friend, and to be included in this book, among such company. Thank you, Ric Best, for the wonderful gift. Long may you wave, Mr. Delany: long may you wave.