Planetside: The Online Magazine of SFWA
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How I Created an Exclusive London Writing Retreat for Next-to-Nothing
by Deborah Walker. When traditional writing retreats felt out of reach, one author designed her own, exploring London’s libraries, museums, and cafés for a week of creative focus and inspiration.
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Estate Planning for Authors and Creatives
by Brenda W. Clough. Facing your own mortality isn’t fun, but if you’re a writer or creative, ignoring it could leave your intellectual property in chaos. This article walks you through the essential steps of estate planning and explains why setting things up now is the only way to protect your intellectual legacy.
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Avoiding “Arab Land” Stereotypes when Depicting the Premodern Arab World
by J. D. Harlock. Find out how speculative fiction sometimes misrepresents the premodern Arab world, and learn how accurate historical ranks, regional dialects, and naming conventions can help build more culturally grounded fictional settings.
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Protecting Your Intellectual Property: What You Need to Know About Copyright
by Victoria Strauss of WRITER BEWARE®. Learn why official copyright registration matters, how to protect your work, and what authors need to know to avoid scams and qualify for remedies in the US legal system.
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SFWA Market Report For September
Welcome to the September 2025 Market Report, which includes SFF market openings, closures, & other changes of note for SFF creators on the submission trail.
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Writing Sword Fights: Three Tips from a Professional Swordsman
by Guy Windsor. Writing swordfighting scenes that thrill without being confusing takes skill. A professional swordsman shares essential tips to help authors craft authentic, cinematic duels that keep readers immersed and turning pages.
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Where Is All the SFF Theater?
by Monica Cross. Science fiction and fantasy have long thrived on stage, yet remain underrepresented. Learn how hidden forces and unspoken assumptions continue to shape the landscape of contemporary SFF theater.
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Happy 90-Something, Dear Paperback. Here’s Hoping You Survive to 100
by Rosemary Jones. An in-depth journey through the paperback’s rich history, exploring how this humble format reshaped publishing, empowered readers, and now faces an uncertain digital future.
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Seven Lessons for My Past Self on Running a Small Press
by Holly Lyn Walrath. From contracts to community, a small press founder shares seven essential lessons: what to expect, what to avoid, and what truly matters.
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