SFWA Code of Professional Conduct

Introduction:

SFWA is an organization of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. To be "professional" entails not only a certain level of competence, but also a standard of behavior that reflects well upon the organization, the field of science fiction and fantasy writing, and the practitioners of that writing. In the Summer 2003 SFWA Bulletin, Tom Easton proposed a "Code of Professional Ethics" to make such standards explicit. In the following year, SFWA's Board of Directors discussed and modified the proposed Code. The following Code of Professional Conduct breaks "professional behavior" into ten writing-related standards that SFWA feels its members—both old and new—should bear in mind as a guide to their dealings with each other, their editors and publishers, and the public.

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

As a professional, a science fiction/fantasy writer and member of SFWA should:

1. Respect intellectual property. Members should not plagiarize, pirate, or otherwise infringe intellectual property rights (copyright, patent, and trademark) or encourage others to do so.
    
2. Respect the privacy of fellow members. This includes not exposing SFWA's members-only documents such as the directory and the Forum to public view.
    
3. Deal with members and the public with courtesy and honesty, and refrain from spamming fellow members in email, gratuitous insults (flaming), and ad hominem attacks.
    
4. Honor commitments, both explicit and implicit. Members should enter into contracts in good faith and do their best to fulfill them. They should honor agreements to make appearances to the best of their ability. If circumstances interfere, they should provide notice if possible. Members working as editors should respond to submissions promptly and try not to hold tentatively accepted material for overly long periods.
    
5. Not make false statements, spread rumors or innuendo, or deliberately misrepresent fellow members in private or public with the intent of damaging their reputations, private lives, or careers. Members should not misuse this Code for false accusations of professional misconduct.
    
6. Neither seek nor grant unfair advantage. Members should not try to influence editors or reviewers except with the quality of their work.
    
7. Present self and field in the best possible light in public appearances. This does not mean refraining from criticism of the field, of SFWA, or of other writers.
    
8. Not pressure members to do outreach if it is not their choice. If a member is interested, however, they are encouraged to consider a role in educating the public about writing, science fiction and fantasy, and SFWA.
    
9. Respect a fellow member's time. No pressure should be made upon members to provide support to other writers unless it is their wish. If a member is inclined, they are encouraged to consider assisting new and would-be writers to learn and practice the craft. SFWA members have a long tradition of "paying forward"; most have been helped by other writers, some of whom were SFWAns.
    
10. Recognize that, while professional conduct enhances the industry, exemplifying professional conduct is each member's choice; members may choose to lead by example, but should not attempt to make others abide by this code or any other personal code of conduct.