SFWA - The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association

SFWA AUTHOR EVENT: Apprehension / Red Star Hustle, with Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam Miller
2025-11-03 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, / 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd, Beaverton, OR, 97005
Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam J. Miller will be in conversation to discuss their new Saga Double release, APPREHENSION / RED STAR HUSTLE. Fans of space adventures, mysteries, and intergalactic intrigue will enjoy two expertly crafted crime stories set in a far-future science fiction universe, from two award-winning authors known for their gripping plots and unforgettable characters.
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Apprehension by Mary Robinette Kowal
A family vacation arranged by Bonnyjean, a grieving mother, her son-in-law Jax, and her six-year-old grandson Tristan, quickly becomes disastrous as Tristan is kidnapped by a terrorist operation that is hoping to affect the planet’s upcoming elections between rival parties. They believe Bonnyjean was given a secret by the double agent who died in her arms. However, not only is this a deadly misunderstanding, but it’s also a dangerous one as Bonnyjean was last on Nahatanau when she was a special forces operative. Unfortunately, that was over thirty years ago, but she won’t let the years nor her bad hip get in the way of rescuing her grandson. Beloved Hugo Award–winning author Mary Robinette Kowal has crafted an intricate mystery of mistaken identity on an alien planet.
Red Star Hustle by Sam J. Miller
Aran, a happy-go-lucky high-class escort, is on the run after he’s framed for the assassination of his famous filmmaker client. The last thing he needs is to fall for the studly and noble clone of a murderous puppet monarch while he’s trying to stay one step ahead of an ace bounty hunter, who is trying to keep a fatal secret from her toxic boss/mom, which means she can’t stop to worry about a little thing like whether her target might actually be innocent. Set within a universe of epic mech battles, and billions of human-made wormholes that make traveling to a distant star as easy as walking through a door or scheduling car service. This science fiction thriller by Nebula Award–winning author Sam J. Miller is a crisscross of heartbreak, addiction struggles, queer messiness, and resisting evil empires, coming together in a space-hopping fight with the whole damn galaxy.
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Winter Worlds of Giving: Kickoff Event with the SFWA Board (PACIFIC TIME)
2025-11-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
From November 1 to January 31, SFWA is running a major fundraising campaign to support our tremendous volunteer teams, and the projects and services that they provide to so many brilliant and aspiring fellow writers, SFWA Members and otherwise.
But our Winter Worlds of Giving cannot exist apart from the phenomenal creative practice that makes it all necessary and possible. So we’re inviting you to join us on the campaign – by setting your own writing goals for one month, two months, or the full campaign season with us.
After all, your Winter Worlds of Writing are what SFWA’s all about!
On November 2 at 1pm Pacific Time, we’re kicking off the campaign with SFWA’s Board of Directors, in a virtual event conveniently set an hour before SFWA’s usual Sunday Writing Date. Join us to set creative goals and be cheered on, then get cracking on your word count… immediately, if you like!
You’ll be joined by Vice President Anthony Eichenlaub, who’s currently wrapping up a final chapter in an urban fantasy game set Prohibition-era Seattle. Also present will be Secretary Steven D. Brewer, who’s filling the final wait on an upcoming novel with a full slate of November conference events, thoughtful writing posts, and a wealth of story pitches! Oh, and you’ll see Curtis C. Chen, our Director-at-Large who’s “hopping” to get a start on his next two Kangaroo Series space thrillers, after finishing revisions on Book 4. And keep an eye out for Director-at-Large Day Al-Mohamed, who already invites SFWA Members to join her in a virtual call the second Sunday of every month… and uses the time for her own works in progress, otherwise!The rest of our Board has campaigns on the go, too―including CFO Jonathan Brazee‘s upcoming fantasy novel and works in translation, and President Kate Ristau‘s latest reimagining of Greek mythology and… Oreos? (the cookie, not a god, or so we’re told!)―so our call to action is deeply personal.
Join us this November 1 through January 31 not only to signal-boost and support SFWA’s work through our Winter Worlds of Giving campaign―but also your own. We’re here for you, and we’re so excited to learn more about the work you’re doing in genre.
Use this link to participate in our kickoff event on Sunday, November 2.
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Cider at Six (GMT+1) with SFWA President Kate Ristau
2025-11-01 18:00 - 19:00 (Europe/London) | Metropole Bar, Kings Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN12FU, United Kingdom
Stop by the Metropole Bar on Saturday at 6PM local time before the British Fantasy Awards on November 1. Join SFWA President Kate Ristau and your SFWA colleagues and friends for happy hour to kick off your evening. The first round of drinks is on us!

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Indie Author Meetup: Effective Promotional Graphic Designs - Slides, Reels, Arrows, and More!
2025-11-01 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
The SFWA Independent Authors Committee invites you to join us at our virtual meetup. Each month, the meetup features an expert speaker for thirty minutes of programming followed by opportunities to ask questions and network with the SFWA indie authors community. This month’s topic: Effective graphics for promotion keep changing…so what’s working right now? Excerpts? Review Quotes? What kind of backgrounds, what kind of fonts, what colors are currently effective?
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SFWA AUTHOR EVENT: Apprehension / Red Star Hustle, with Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam Miller
2025-10-30 14:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Murder by the Book, 2342 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX, 77005

SFWA AUTHOR EVENT: Apprehension / Red Star Hustle, with Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam Miller
2025-10-29 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Little District Books, 737 8th St SE, Washington, DC, 20003

SFWA AUTHOR EVENT: Apprehension / Red Star Hustle, with Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam Miller
2025-10-28 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Eagle Eye Books, 2076 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA, 30033, United States
Two expertly crafted crime stories set in a far-future science fiction universe, from two award-winning authors known for their gripping plots and unforgettable characters — a short novel and a long novella that will thrill fans of space adventures, mystery, and intergalactic intrigue in this Saga Double.

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Apprehension by Mary Robinette Kowal
A family vacation arranged by Bonnyjean, a grieving mother, her son-in-law Jax, and her six-year-old grandson Tristan, quickly becomes disastrous as Tristan is kidnapped by a terrorist operation that is hoping to affect the planet’s upcoming elections between rival parties. They believe Bonnyjean was given a secret by the double agent who died in her arms. However, not only is this a deadly misunderstanding, but it’s also a dangerous one as Bonnyjean was last on Nahatanau when she was a special forces operative. Unfortunately, that was over thirty years ago, but she won’t let the years nor her bad hip get in the way of rescuing her grandson. Beloved Hugo Award–winning author Mary Robinette Kowal has crafted an intricate mystery of mistaken identity on an alien planet.
Red Star Hustle by Sam J. Miller
Aran, a happy-go-lucky high-class escort, is on the run after he’s framed for the assassination of his famous filmmaker client. The last thing he needs is to fall for the studly and noble clone of a murderous puppet monarch while he’s trying to stay one step ahead of an ace bounty hunter, who is trying to keep a fatal secret from her toxic boss/mom, which means she can’t stop to worry about a little thing like whether her target might actually be innocent. Set within a universe of epic mech battles, and billions of human-made wormholes that make traveling to a distant star as easy as walking through a door or scheduling car service. This science fiction thriller by Nebula Award–winning author Sam J. Miller is a crisscross of heartbreak, addiction struggles, queer messiness, and resisting evil empires, coming together in a space-hopping fight with the whole damn galaxy.
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SFWA AUTHOR EVENT: Apprehension / Red Star Hustle, with Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam Miller
2025-10-22 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Twisted Spine, 306 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY, 11211, United States
Celebrate with Mary Robinette Kowal and Sam J. Miller at their New York City launch event. They will be in conversation to discuss their new Saga Double release, APPREHENSION / RED STAR HUSTLE, a two-in-one bind-up of speculative crime novellas in NYC’s first bookstore and cafe dedicated to the horror genre.
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Apprehension by Mary Robinette Kowal
A family vacation arranged by Bonnyjean, a grieving mother, her son-in-law Jax, and her six-year-old grandson Tristan, quickly becomes disastrous as Tristan is kidnapped by a terrorist operation that is hoping to affect the planet’s upcoming elections between rival parties. They believe Bonnyjean was given a secret by the double agent who died in her arms. However, not only is this a deadly misunderstanding, but it’s also a dangerous one as Bonnyjean was last on Nahatanau when she was a special forces operative. Unfortunately, that was over thirty years ago, but she won’t let the years nor her bad hip get in the way of rescuing her grandson. Beloved Hugo Award–winning author Mary Robinette Kowal has crafted an intricate mystery of mistaken identity on an alien planet.
Red Star Hustle by Sam J. Miller
Aran, a happy-go-lucky high-class escort, is on the run after he’s framed for the assassination of his famous filmmaker client. The last thing he needs is to fall for the studly and noble clone of a murderous puppet monarch while he’s trying to stay one step ahead of an ace bounty hunter, who is trying to keep a fatal secret from her toxic boss/mom, which means she can’t stop to worry about a little thing like whether her target might actually be innocent. Set within a universe of epic mech battles, and billions of human-made wormholes that make traveling to a distant star as easy as walking through a door or scheduling car service. This science fiction thriller by Nebula Award–winning author Sam J. Miller is a crisscross of heartbreak, addiction struggles, queer messiness, and resisting evil empires, coming together in a space-hopping fight with the whole damn galaxy.
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Office Hours with Day Al-Mohamed (SFWA Director-at-Large)
2025-10-12 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
One of SFWA’s newest board members, Day Al-Mohamed, is a Director-at-Large. This means that she’s one of the team not so behind-the-scenes.
A Director-at-Large is here to field SFWA member questions, concerns, and desires for the organization.
And that’s just what Day will be doing every second Sunday of the month, during Office Hours.
From 5-6 PM Pacific Time on October 12, you can join Day on Zoom and touch base about SFWA business. If Day doesn’t know the answer to your question, she’ll run it up the chain!
We look forward to seeing you out.
[NOTE FOR RSVPs: The first guest is you. Only change that number if you plan to bring a friend!]

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Indie Author Meetup: What Did and Didn't Work (3rd Q, 2025)
2025-10-04 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
The SFWA Independent Authors Committee invites you to join us at our virtual meetup. Each month, the meetup features an expert speaker for thirty minutes of programming followed by opportunities to ask questions and network with the SFWA indie authors community. This month’s topic: What did and didn’t work for you in Third Quarter 2025? Sales, other industry stuff–what’s changing?
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First Ever Aspen Literary Festival!
2025-09-26 - 2025-09-28 | Aspen, CO, United States
Aspen, CO (June 24, 2025) — Aspen Words, a program of The Aspen Institute, is excited to announce the inaugural Aspen Literary Festival (ALF), a multi-day celebration of books and ideas taking place September 26–28, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
This year’s festival features a special conversation that highlights science fiction and fantasy. Acclaimed authors Leigh Bardugo, V.E. Schwab, and Victor LaValle, will explore how they craft immersive worlds, create complex characters and tackle universal themes that resonate with readers of all ages.
“Our goal is to highlight the ways that sci-fi and fantasy expand our understanding of the world and offer a space for imagination and reflection,” said Adrienne Brodeur, Executive Director of Aspen Words.
Produced by Aspen Words and presented by Book of the Month, the festival will welcome over 40 authors from across the literary landscape. Many events will be free and open to the public, with additional details, including a growing lineup and schedule, available at aspenliteraryfestival.org.
For sponsorship opportunities or more information, visit www.aspenwords.org or contact ALF@aspeninstitute.org.
~
Aspen Words was founded in 1976 as a literary center based in Aspen, CO. A program of the Aspen Institute, its mission is to encourage writers, inspire readers and connect people through the power of stories. For more information, visit www.aspenwords.org.
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
Book of the Month is the leading U.S. book subscription service with a mission to bring the best new fiction forward to readers. Founded in 1926, Book of the Month has a long history of inspiring and shaping culture by championing works that have gone on to become American classics. For more information, visit bookofthemonth.com/about-us.
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Office Hours with Day Al-Mohamed (SFWA Director-at-Large)
2025-09-14 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-08-10 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
One of SFWA’s newest board members, Day Al-Mohamed, is a Director-at-Large. This means that she’s one of the team not so behind-the-scenes.
A Director-at-Large is here to field SFWA member questions, concerns, and desires for the organization.
And that’s just what Day will be doing every second Sunday of the month, during Office Hours.
From 5-6 PM Pacific Time on August 10, you can join Day on Zoom and touch base about SFWA business. If Day doesn’t know the answer to your question, she’ll run it up the chain!
We look forward to seeing you out.
[NOTE FOR RSVPs: The first guest is you. Only change that number if you plan to bring a friend!]

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The SFWA Stage at the Baltimore Book Festival
2025-09-13 - 2025-09-14 | TX
Join SFWA Executive Director Isis Asare and President Kate Ristau for a SFWA stage of events at the 26th Baltimore Book Festival!
We’re celebrating active SFWA members Day Al-Mohamed, Charlie Jane Anders, Tom Doyle, Somto Ihezue, Darius Jones, Christiane Knight, and Alan Smale in a full day of panel events, where we’ll be in conversation with a dynamic group of creators in genre. We’re thankful for our partnership with the Horror Writers Association, and an author-sponsorship by Neon Hemlock Press, for making this stage possible. Oh, and did we mention? We can’t wait to see you out!
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The 26th Baltimore Book Festival will kick off in September for its third year in the Waverly neighborhood. With origins in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, the festival was founded in 1996 by Baltimore Office of Promotions & the Arts, inspired in part by Mayor Schmoke’s “The City That Reads” initiative.
The festival’s popularity soared in the 2000s, drawing larger and larger crowds. In 2014, the festival was moved to West Shore Park and Rash Field, drawing up to 100,000 visitors. However, from 2020 to 2022 the event went on hiatus. In response merchants and other community leaders in Waverly organized the three-day Waverly Book Festival in April 2023.
With a new leader at the helm, BOPA took the lead on the official return of the Baltimore Book Festival. Working with local businesses such as Red Emma’s, Normal’s Books and Records, and the Peabody Heights Brewery, BOPA, CityLit and Waverly Main Street produced the 25th anniversary festival in the same footprint as the previous year’s Waverly Book Festival.
The Baltimore Book Festival has evolved from a downtown literary celebration into a dynamic, community-powered cultural cornerstone. Today, it honors its roots while showcasing Baltimore’s rich literary heritage and embracing emerging voices—making it a fixture truly reflective of the city’s diverse creative spirit.

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Indie Author Spotlight Reading
2025-09-07 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
This year, the Nebulas celebrated indie publishing in fine form with the Andre Norton Award going to Vanessa Ricci-Thode, an indie-published author.
Now it’s time to dive in and see what the rest of SFWA Indie is up to, with readings and author Q&As from some of our most dedicated members: Vanessa Ricci-Thode, Joyce Reynolds-Ward, and Bert-Oliver Boehmer. This event is open to the public, and we look forward to showing you how the power of the written word transcends all publishing forms. Stop by and learn about SFWA Indie’s latest!
More about our Indie authors…

Bert-Oliver Boehmer is the author of the Galacticide trilogy—Three Immortals, Dark Cascade, and Galacticide—an epic space opera exploring military strategy, political intrigue, and existential mystery. His current project, Goddess of the Galacticide, continues this saga as a serialized web novel released in weekly episodes. With a background in computer science and two decades in bioinformatics, he draws on technology and biology to shape his storytelling. Since 2023, he has been a member of SFWA. He also presents “Bert’s Battle Briefing” on InterFleet Broadcasting, the largest Battlestar Galactica fan channel, where he analyzes conflict in science fiction.
Join Bert for a reading from Goddess of the Galacticide!
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Joyce Reynolds-Ward has been called “the best writer I’ve never heard of” by one reviewer. Her work includes themes of high-stakes family and political conflict, digital sapience, personal agency, realistic strong women, and (whenever possible) horses, frequently in Pacific Northwest settings.
She is the author of six speculative fiction series: The Netwalk Sequence, Goddess’s Honor, The Martiniere Legacy Quartet, The People of the Martiniere Legacy, The Martiniere Multiverse, and The Cost of Power as well as standalones Federation Cowboy, Beating the Apocalypse, Klone’s Stronghold: Reeni and Alien Savvy.
Joyce is a Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off Semifinalist, a Writers of the Future SemiFinalist, and an Anthology Builder Finalist. She is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association and a member of Soroptimists International.
Join Joyce for a reading from The Cost of Power: Return!
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Vanessa Ricci-Thode is a Nebula Award-winning Halloween enthusiast and a bookish geek who loves dragons, astronomy, and travel. If she’s not hibernating, she can be found in her butterfly garden, achieving her final form as a garden witch. She lives in Waterloo (no, the other one) with her spouse, daughter and very good dogs. To learn more, visit her website thodestool.ca or follow her on social media @VRicciThode.
Recent publications include “Billionaire’s Tears” in Escape Pod (July 2025), The Dragon Next Door (June 2025), and the award-winning The Young Necromancer’s Guide to Ghosts (April 2024).
Join Vanessa from a reading from her new release, The Dragon Next Door, a sapphic ace romantasy about two disaster queers raising a baby dragon.
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Introduction to HARP for Mentees
2025-09-07 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
We’re launching our Heritage Author Republication Project (HARP) on October 1, so here’s a great opportunity to get to know what mentorship will look like for potential mentees, ask questions, and firm up what you need to get ready.
HARP is dedicated to helping SFWA members with out-of-print works find a “second home” for their materials in digital form. If you have your rights reverted and would like to digitize your work, either for preservation or indie-publishing, check out our meet-and-greet for potential mentees on Sunday, September 7.
This mentor-prep event is open to all SFWA members interested in learning more about how to be a mentor or support this program in other ways. Learn more about HARP and benefits of being a mentor here:
https://www.sfwa.org/the-heritage-authors-republication-project/
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Indie Author Meetup: Vanessa Ricci-Thode on Winning a Nebula
2025-09-06 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
Vanessa Ricci-Thode discusses how she catapulted her self-published middle-grade/YA novella, “The Young Necromancer’s Guide to Ghosts”, into winning the 2025 Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction, becoming the first self-published author to win a Nebula.
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Introduction to HARP for Mentors
2025-09-06 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
We’re launching our Heritage Author Republication Project (HARP) on October 1, so here’s a great opportunity to get to know what mentorship will look like for the tech-savvy mentors, ask questions, and firm up where you’d like to help out.
HARP is dedicated to helping SFWA members with out-of-print works find a “second home” for their materials in digital form. If you have your rights reverted and would like to digitize your work, either for preservation or indie-publishing, check out our meet-and-greet for potential mentees on Sunday, September 7.
This mentor-prep event is open to all SFWA members interested in learning more about how to be a mentor or support this program in other ways. Learn more about HARP and benefits of being a mentor here:
https://www.sfwa.org/the-heritage-authors-republication-project/
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MG/YA - Regrouping Meeting
2025-09-02 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
This is an open, participatory space for all interested SFWA members. Please feel free to share with fellow SFWA members who might be interested. Whether you’re new or long-standing, your ideas and input are invaluable.
We recognize time zones may prevent some from attending. If you can’t make it, please share any of your thoughts with us in advance at michelle.knudsen@gmail.com and michaelsolisauthor@gmail.com.
We hope you’ll join us in shaping the next chapter of MG/YA at SFWA!
A draft agenda will be shared soon.
RSVP to receive a Zoom link and password.
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ICT Comic-Con and Science Fiction Expo
2025-08-30 - 2025-08-31 | Century II Exhibition Hall, 225 W Douglas, Wichita, KS, 67202, United States
Captain ICT says welcome to Wichita’s newest home for all things science fiction, comics, literature, movies and horror films. Join us for two days of fandom fun in the mighty ICT! Now in our epic 9th year, we’ll be featuring panels, celebrity guests, gaming, art contest, super heroes and Wichita’s only premiere sci-fi expo.
The ICT Comic Con and Science Fiction Expo is founded on the idea to celebrate fandom in all of it’s genres equally. A love letter so to speak of everything we loved growing up about sci – fi, comics, movies, horror, literature, games, animation, art and music.
Per our namesake, the ICT Comic Con and Science fiction Expo seeks to promote our home grown talent as well as bringing you the celebrity stars you want to see from across the broad spectrum of comics, movies, literature, etc.
Our vendors and creators room will feature the best in sci-fi collectables, vintage toys, movie posters, original art, comics new and old, as well as a chance to speak and interact with our featured guests and professional and fandom artists and writers. For more information on participating in the ICT Comic Con and Science Fiction Expo visit our vendor and creators page.
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Fireside Chat with SFWA Leadership
2025-08-17 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Seattle Convention Center-Summit, 900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
In this intimate conversation with Kate Ristau and Isis Asare, board president and executive director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, attendees will have a unique opportunity to learn more about the future direction of SFWA and ask questions. The session is open to all science fiction and fantasy creators, from lifelong SFWA members to aspiring writers.
Isis Asare, Kate Ristau
(Terrace Suite 4F)
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Weekly Writing Date with the SFWA Flight Crew
2025-08-17 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
A Writing Date is basically productivity through peer pressure and honestly, any co-working is welcome. Structure: This session is led by by an author or flight crew. Chat until quarter past, then work until the hour. Rinse and repeat. During writing sessions, keep your mic off, but your camera on (optional). Knowing that people can see you helps prevent procrastination. Clicking “Join the Room” will send you the writing room. Depending on the crowd, there may be a brief wait before you are admitted to the Zoom.
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SFWA Pre-Hugo Awards Networking Reception
2025-08-16 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Seattle Convention Center-Summit, 900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association invites members and guests to a pre-Hugo Awards networking event. Connect with your next writing partner, editor, or agent with structured speed networking facilitated with fun and engaging ice breaker questions and prompts. We recommend downloading Blinq ahead of time for sharing contact information!
Marie Brennan
Ravenna Room in the Sheraton Building
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SFWA Member Breakfast
2025-08-16 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-08-15 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Seattle Convention Center-Summit, 900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Join SFWA for a breakfast meetup before your weekend of Worldcon events, in the SFWA Suite!
We can’t wait to hang out and hear where your Worldcon weekend will take you.
Where is it? Sheraton Floor 30, Room 28!
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Seattle Worldcon 2025
2025-08-13 - 2025-08-17 | Seattle Convention Center-Summit, 900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA, 98101, United States
Our Theme

Building Yesterday’s Future–For Everyone

Seattle is a forward-looking city. The last Worldcon held here, in 1961, saw the future literally under construction. Across town, preparations were being made for the opening of the 1962 World’s Fair, called the Century 21 Exposition. Seven months later, visitors would ride the new Monorail into fairgrounds filled with scientific displays looking forward to life in the Space Age. The public gawked at inventions like solar batteries, touch-tone dialing, and call waiting, under the shadow of the iconic Space Needle—which was also a revolving restaurant! Innovation, it was promised, would lead us to a utopia where society’s ills are swept away by a tide of American-led abundance.
How did it work out? Seattle grew, but our utopia has yet to arrive. As we look back on a 64-year gap between Worldcons, we interrogate those dreams of tomorrow. What did they get wrong? Who did they leave out? A better future must include everyone. We don’t miss everything about the 1960s, but we are nostalgic for the optimism, the sense of the future as a canvas our imaginations have the power to transform.
We invite you to join us in two Seattles: the city it has become, and the multicultural and inclusive version of the city promised by Century 21. By sharing your stories, costumes, arguments, accessories, and artistic creations we will use our imaginations to build yesterday’s tomorrow and explore the wonders of the 21st century.

Guests of Honor
Martha Wells, Donato Giancola, Bridget Landry, Alexander James Adams
Hosts
K. Tempest Bradley and Nisi Shawl
Poet Laureate
Brandon O’Brien
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Speculative Poetry Book Club
2025-08-09 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
A meeting of the speculative poetry book club. At the fifth meeting, we will discuss Mahaila Smith’s chapbook “Seed Beetle.” No poetry expertise required! The discussion will be run by Mary Soon Lee, a Grand Master of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association.
Space is limited for this event; please RSVP.
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Indie Author Meetup: Getting Judgy with Your Book Cover
2025-08-02 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
The SFWA Independent Authors Committee invites you to join us at our virtual meetup. Each month, the meetup features an expert speaker for thirty minutes of programming followed by opportunities to ask questions and network with the SFWA indie authors community. This month’s topic: Book covers. They can make you tear your hair out. Let’s talk book covers with Rachel A. Rosen.
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Willamette Writers Conference
2025-07-30 - 2025-08-03 | Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1441 NE 2nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97232, United States
Launch Your Writing Career!
Whether you write for the page, the stage, the screen, or the mic, you are in the right place!
At the Willamette Writers Conference, you will find everything you need to launch your writing career and live your writing life.
Join your community July 30 – August 3, 2025 at the 56th annual Willamette Writers Conference—both in-person and online.
At the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Portland and at your own computer screen, you’ll find workshops, keynotes, pitches, and critiques, all aimed at helping you take that next step in your writing life. You’ll also find a vibrant community of writers, just like you, who are eager to connect and focused on their writing goals. At evening events and throughout the conference, you will discover so many opportunities for networking, critique, and conversation.
And that’s not all. Over 50 industry professionals will be joining us to share their expertise and knowledge of the changing industry.
It’s going to be an unforgettable weekend of community, craft, and career. We can’t wait to see you there!
When: July 30 – August 3, 2025. Critiques and pitches are online, July 30 & July 31, and the workshops, keynotes, and events are August 1-3, in-person and online.
Where: Online and In-Person at the Crowne Plaza Hotel 1441 NE 2nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232.
Who: You, agents, industry professionals, New York Times bestselling authors, and film managers.
Why: Because it’s time to launch your career and live your writing life! Find your community, develop your craft, and expand your career in 2025!
Keynote Speakers
Charlie Jane Anders and Cheryl Strayed
Opening Poet
Marcus Lattimore
Master Class Presenters
Hallie Ephron, Miriam Gershow, Brendan O’Meara, and Grant Rosenberg
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Writing Date with Christiane Knight
2025-07-27 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | TX
A Writing Date is basically productivity through peer pressure and honestly, any co-working is welcome. Structure: This session is led by by an author or flight crew. Chat until quarter past, then work until the hour. Rinse and repeat. During writing sessions, keep your mic off, but your camera on (optional). Knowing that people can see you helps prevent procrastination. Clicking “Join the Room” will send you the writing room. Depending on the crowd, there may be a brief wait before you are admitted to the Zoom.

Christiane Knight
Christiane Knight [she/they] is an artist, musician, writer, and author of the contemporary fantasy series Stories of the Eleriannan. A former club and FM radio DJ, Christiane’s love of dark subculture and music infuses her work. They write hopeful, magical stories set in the Fae infused version of their already quirky hometown, Baltimore MD. She is a lifelong enthusiast of faerie, folktales, forests and fauna, especially combined in copious amounts with all-black clothing and some Joy Division or Bauhaus playing in the headphones. You can learn more about her work at christianeknight.com.

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