SFWA

Initialism for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, a mutual-aid organization for pro authors, originally named just Science Fiction Writers of America. The acronym is pronounced "sif-wa" or "sef-wa" and, despite the name change, the initialism remains SFWA with only one F.

Unlike writers' groups such as the Romance Writers of America, which welcome wannabes, to join SFWA, a writer must have sold at least three short stories or a novel at a word-rate set by SFWA.

SFWA was founded by Damon Knight, among others, in 1965. Since Damon's "Unite — or Fie!" article in an early Art Widner fanzine has often been credited with provoking the establishment of the National Fantasy Fan Federation (a.k.a. the N3F), there were those who wondered why he hadn't "learned better" the first time....

It has been a tumultuous group, but that's a story for Procyclopedia.

SFWA Suite

Worldcons usually provide SFWA with a free hotel suite in which to hold a weekend-long not-so-secret pro party. Nobody knows why fans should pay for this bonus to filthy pros when we aren't allowed in, but it's a tradition. Prosuckers will do anything to get into the SFWA Suite, but it's usually not worth it, being big on neopros and short on refreshments.

See Science Fantasy Writers of America and SFWPA for previous attempts to organize pro writers.

• Entry in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.
• Website.

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Club

1965—

This is a club page. Please extend it by adding information about when and where the club met, when and by whom it was founded, how long it was active, notable accomplishments, well-known members, clubzines, any conventions it ran, external links to the club's website, other club pages, etc. When there's a floreat (Fl.), this indicates the time or times for which we have found evidence that the club existed. This is probably not going to represent the club's full lifetime, so please update it if you can!