Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Founded	1965
Founder	Damon Knight
Type	Support group, professional group
Legal status	non-profit
Purpose	SFWA informs, supports, promotes, defends and advocates for its members.
Headquarters	Enfield, CT
Region served	Worldwide
Membership	Approx. 2,500 members
President	Jeffe Kennedy

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, often called SFWA, is a non-profit group for professional science fiction and fantasy writers. It was first known as the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Even though SFWA is based in the United States, writers from all over the world can join.

The organization was started in 1965 by a writer named Damon Knight. As of 2021, Jeffe Kennedy is the president of SFWA. In 2022, SFWA had about 2,500 members around the world.

If you are an active member of SFWA, you can vote for the Nebula Awards. These are some of the most important awards for science fiction books written in English.

What SFWA Does

SFWA helps, supports, and speaks up for its members. They work to make sure writers are treated fairly.

Supporting Writers

SFWA helps science fiction and fantasy writers with their careers. They give advice on how to work with agents, editors, and publishers. This helps writers protect their interests.

Promoting Literature

The group also works to make more people interested in science fiction and fantasy books. They do this by sharing high-quality writings and publications. They also hold meetings, discussions, and workshops.

SFWA's History

The Science Fiction Writers of America, Inc. was founded in 1965. Damon Knight started it with other writers from the Milford Conference.

Early Days and Name Changes

One of SFWA's first big actions was helping J.R.R. Tolkien. They helped him get fair payment in America for his book The Lord of the Rings, which had been copied without permission.

In 1991, the group changed its name to Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. This was to show that they had always included writers of both genres. The shorter name, SFWA, became official again in 1996. In 2022, they changed their official business name to Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. This change recognized their many members outside the U.S.

Important Moments

In 1973, SFWA gave an honorary membership to Polish author Stanisław Lem. Lem did not think highly of American science fiction. He felt it was not well-written and cared more about money than ideas. Later, his honorary membership was taken back. Some members, like Ursula K. Le Guin, protested this decision. Le Guin even refused her Nebula Award for Best Novelette for The Diary of the Rose.

In 1982, writer Lisa Tuttle pulled her story "The Bone Flute" from the Nebula ballot. She was protesting too much campaigning for awards. Even though she won, she refused the award. Her publisher accepted it without knowing she had refused.

In 2009, SFWA joined a group called the Open Book Alliance. They opposed a plan about digital books called the Google Book Settlement.

In 2013, the SFWA Bulletin magazine had a controversy. This led to the magazine taking a break and then starting fresh.

Activities and Events

SFWA takes part in many book fairs and publishing events. These include BookExpo America and the American Library Association Conference. They also attend many science fiction and fantasy conventions.

SFWA holds its own special events too:

• SFWA Nebula Conference: This is an annual meeting where the Nebula Award winners are announced. It also includes business meetings and a book signing event for authors. There are also many workshops for writers. The conference moves to a new city every two years.

• The SFWA Reception in New York: SFWA used to host a yearly party in New York. This was a chance for members to meet editors, agents, and other people in the publishing world. This event was paused in 2015 due to high costs.

• The SFWA Reading Series: These are free events where SFWA authors read from their books. They also talk about their stories with people in local communities. These events are currently held in Seattle, Portland, and Philadelphia.

Helping and Supporting Writers

SFWA works to make important changes in the publishing world. They want to make sure authors have fair copyright laws and good contracts.

Writer Beware

SFWA supports a program called Writer Beware. This program helps writers learn about and avoid scams in the publishing industry. Writer Beware has a website, a blog, and a Facebook page. These all share information about scams and give advice to writers.

Writer Beware also has a large database of complaints about bad literary agents, publishers, and other services. They offer free help to writers who need information. The Writer Beware team also helps law enforcement with investigations. They have helped catch several people who scammed writers.

Griefcom

Griefcom, or the Grievance Committee, is made up of SFWA member volunteers. They help solve disagreements between writers and their publishers.

Emergency Medical Fund

SFWA has an Emergency Medical Fund. This fund helps writers who are members and have unexpected medical bills.

Legal Fund

SFWA also has a Legal Fund. This fund gives loans to members who need help paying for court costs or other legal fees related to their writing.

Estate Project

The Estate Project helps plan for the future of deceased SFWA member writers' works. It also gathers information about authors' archives.

Awards Given by SFWA

SFWA gives out several important awards to recognize great writing and service.

• Nebula Awards: Since 1965, SFWA members vote for the Nebula Awards. These awards are given for the best short story, novelette, novella, and novel published each year. In 2018, a new award for game writing was added.

• Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award: Since 1975, this award honors a writer for their lifetime achievements in science fiction or fantasy.

• Ray Bradbury Award: Since 1992, this award is given for the best dramatic presentation, like a movie or TV show. It is named after Ray Bradbury.

• Andre Norton Award: Since 2005, this award is given for the best young adult or middle grade novel. It is named after Andre Norton.

• Kevin O'Donnell Jr. Award for Service to SFWA: This award started in 1995. It recognizes members who have done great service for the organization. It was named after Kevin O'Donnell Jr. in 2009.

• Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award: Since 2009, this award recognizes lifetime contributions to the science fiction and fantasy field. It can be given to up to three people each year. In 2016, it was renamed after Kate Wilhelm.

• Infinity Award: Since 2023, this award honors famous creators who passed away before they could be considered for a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award.

Becoming a Member

Most SFWA members live in the United States, but writers from anywhere can join. To become a member, authors must have had their work published professionally in certain places that SFWA approves. Currently, all approved places publish only in English.

Types of Membership

• Active: For authors who have professionally published science fiction, fantasy, or horror. This usually means selling one novel or three short stories to certain publishers. Recently, writers can also qualify with self-published work or gaming writing. Active members can vote for the Nebula Awards and attend special events.

• Associate: For writers who have made a qualifying sale but haven't yet met the full requirements for Active membership. Associate members can recommend and nominate works for the Nebula Awards, but they cannot vote.

• Affiliate: For other professionals in the science fiction or fantasy world. This includes academics, editors, agents, artists, and reviewers. Organizations like schools and libraries can also be Affiliate members.

• Estate: For the legal representatives of deceased authors who were Active members.

• Life: This membership type was for Active members who paid a one-time fee. New Life memberships were stopped in 2008.

• Senior: For Active members who have been part of SFWA for 30 years or more.

• Family/Group: For two or more Active, Associate, or Affiliate members who live at the same address.

Membership fees usually range from $90 for Associate membership to $115 for Affiliate membership.

Past Presidents

Images for kids

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  A friendly robot.

See also

In Spanish: Asociación de escritores de ciencia ficción y fantasía de Estados Unidos para niños