Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

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Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (abbreviated SFWA ; Pronunciation / sɛfwə /) is an organization in New York City , almost all professional science fiction - and fantasy - authors of North America belong. SFWA was founded in 1965 as Science Fiction Writers of America by Damon Knight .

membership

In order to become an active member of the SFWA, an author must meet various requirements. First of all, it must have been published in the USA . Second, he or she must have been paid for it. Self-published publications do not count here. Publications include:

  • Three short stories that have been published by one or more publishers and for which the author received at least three cents (until 2004) or at least five cents per word (since 2005), or at least 50 US dollars per story.
  • The author published a novel for which the fee was at least $ 2,000.
  • The author submits a full-length script to the SFWA Admission Committee, which is accepted and justifies membership.

Not only authors, but also institutions such as universities and libraries can become members of the SFWA. Other people, such as B. Editors can also become members if they meet the criteria for inclusion. However, only authors can become active members.

President

Prices

Once a year, the SFWA awards ceremony takes place at the so-called Nebula Banquet. The SWFA awards the following prizes:

Nebula Award

The prize is awarded in five categories:

  • Novel
  • Novella (short novel)
  • Novelette (story)
  • Short story
  • Game Writing (computer game script)

The Ray Bradbury Award will also be presented for the best film script .

Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award

This award, also known as the SFWA Grand Master Award , is given for the life's work of a living author.

Andre Norton Award

The award has been given to the most outstanding novel for young people since 2006.

Author Emeritus Award

The award is given to a deserving author who has the honor of delivering the keynote address at the Nebula Banquet.

Kevin O'Donnell Jr. Service to SFWA Award

The award is given to a member of the SFWA for his service to the SFWA.

Solstice Award

The award is given to individuals who have made a significant impact on the genre.

Publications

The SFWA publishes two magazines, namely the SFWA Bulletin and The Forum .

The SFWA Bulletin is a quarterly magazine that is sent to members free of charge, but can also be obtained by non-members. It contains articles on topics of interest to writers in general and science fiction writers in particular.

In 2013 there was a controversy over sexism manifest in some of the articles and illustrations . The trigger was the anniversary number 200 with the article Literary Ladies (Part 2) , which appeared in the Resnick & Malzberg Dialogues column , in which the authors Mike Resnick and Barry Malzberg talked about female employees in the editorial offices of SF magazines and publishers in a way left out, which offended many readers. Resnick and Malzberg wallowed in memories of women in editorial offices whom they described as "beauty pageant gorgeous" ("dreamlike as from a beauty contest") or as "knockout" ("stunning"). To top it off, the cover picture showed a warrior clad in chain mail bikini in a frosty environment.

There were numerous letters, announcements and membership cancellations and finally a general outrage when Resnick and Malzberg took a position on the controversy in number 202 and showed that they had interpreted the criticism as an attempt at censorship and could not find anything on the cover picture (" absolutely normal warrior like a thousand others ”) and Malzberg classified the offender as“ liberal fascists ”. The reaction was appropriate and quickly spread to significant parts of the SF blogosphere and fandom . Finally, John Scalzi , then President of SFWA, officially apologized and vowed to get well soon. His term of office ended on June 30, and he did not stand for election for a fourth term. In addition, Jean Rabe , then editor of the SFWA Bulletin , left on June 5th. The following issue 203 in a new format was published in February 2014. The cover picture showed an oriental rider with her body completely covered except for her face and hands.

The Forum is also a quarterly magazine on internal SFWA issues that is only available to members.

SFWA also publishes articles online in the SFWA blog .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ SFWA Election Results. In: Locus Online . Retrieved August 30, 2015 .
  2. ↑ SFWA Election Results , May 3, 2013
  3. ↑ SFWA Grand Master Award in the Science Fiction Awards + Database .
  4. ↑ List of winners , accessed on November 29, 2018.
  5. ↑ Dear SFWA , blog post by E. Catherine Tobler, accessed March 1, 2018.
  6. ↑ "thousandth painting of an absolutely generic warrior woman"
  7. ↑ SFWA sexism rocks the science-fiction blogosphere , article by Aja Romano from June 7, 2013 in The Daily Dot , accessed March 1, 2018.
  8. ↑ The editor of SFWA's bulletin resigns over sexist articles , article by Charlie Jane Anders dated June 6, 2013, accessed March 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ SFWA Bulletin Returns , notification from SFWA dated February 7, 2014, accessed March 1, 2018.
  10. ↑ SFWA blog