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Who We Are

The purpose of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association is to promote, advance, and support science fiction and fantasy writing in the United States and elsewhere, by educating and informing the general public and supporting and empowering science fiction and fantasy writers.

We host the prestigious Nebula Awards at our annual SFWA Nebula Conference, assist members in various legal disputes, offer the Speakers Bureau, administer grants to SFF community organizations and members facing medical or legal expenses. More of our programming and services can be found here.

Novice authors benefit from our Information Center and well-known Writer Beware.  Between online discussion boards, private convention suites, and a host of less formal gatherings, SFWA is a source of information, education, support, and fellowship.

SFWA Membership is open to authors, artists, editors, and other industry professionals who meet our eligibility requirements.

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History

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. was founded in 1965 by the American science fiction author Damon Knight and was originally named Science Fiction Writers of America.

In 1991, the name of the organization was changed to Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, although the acronym SFWA was not changed.

In 2013, the members of the organization voted to reincoporate in California, effectively beginning a new 501(c)3 public charity. Activities of the old Massachusetts corporation officially merged into the new California corporation as of July 1st, 2014. SFWA filed to do business as the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association in 2022 to better represent our member population and recognize the important contributions of speculative storytellers worldwide.

Today, SFWA is home to over 2,300 authors, artists, and allied professionals, and is widely recognized as one of the most effective non-profit writers’ organizations in existence.

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