SFWA Benefits
Services
| Grievance Committee |
The SFWA Grievance Committee investigates claims
of illegal or unethical contracts, assertions of plagiarism,
evidence of contract violation by editors and publishers, misuse
of royalty statements and funds, and other complaints of professional
concern. The Grievance Committee keeps the identity of complaining
members confidential. Grievance Committee reports in the Forum
never contain the name of the member whose complaint spurred
the investigation, except when appropriate and with the member's
permission.
The SFWA Attorney, as Chair of the Grievance Committee, works
to solve members' difficulties about legal matters germane to
science fiction and fantasy publishing.
When the Grievance procedure is exhausted, you may qualify
for help from SFWA's Legal Fund in pursuing your dispute in
the courtroom. |
| Random Audits |
The Random Audit allows you to throw your name into the hat
with fellow members for the opportunity to have one of your books
audited at SFWA's expense. |
| Speakers' Bureau |
The SFWA Speakers' Bureau acts as a clearinghouse for both national
and local organizations seeking SFWA members for speaking engagements.
|
| Circulating Book Plan |
The Circulating Book Plan offers SFWA members access to new
hardcover books in regional groups around the U.S. through a sequential
sharing system via the mails. After the books have made their
rounds, they are sent to repository libraries where they remain
available to researchers and to SFWA members. |
From the SFWA Outreach Brochure ©
1997 by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.
Prepared by David Brin, Peter Dennis Pautz, Joe Haldeman, and
Michael Capobianco.
|
Publications
| The
Bulletin |
The Bulletin is the "public voice" of
SFWA and is published quarterly. Many non-members subscribe to
the Bulletin, including beginning writers interested in its informative
market reports and articles about the business of writing and
selling science fiction and fantasy. In recent years, the Bulletin
has featured special issues devoted to topics such as "Alternate
Worlds" and "Science Fiction Overseas." Articles
on special topics of science have been popular, as well as discussions
on negotiating with editors and agents, surveys of book publishers'
contracts, and symposiums on the marketplace. |
| The SFWA Forum |
The SFWA Forum is the "in-house journal" of the Science
Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., and is published
six times a year. Restricted to the active, associate, and estate
membership, the Forum is the means by which the officers and members
exchange fast-breaking information and discuss sensitive issues
of mutual interest. Timely market and membership updates also
appear regularly in the Forum. The letter column is often lively. |
| Membership Directory |
The SFWA Membership Directory is published annually. It is an
invaluable reference volume, listing the addresses, phone numbers,
and e-mail addresses of the membership of the organization, as
well as a geographical index of members. The Directory also contains
a catalog of the members' U.S., foreign, and Hollywood agents.
|
| Nebula Awards Report (NAR) |
The Nebula Awards® Report appears along with the Forum.
As active members read science fiction and fantasy throughout
the year, they recommend the stories and novels they want other
members to consider for the Nebula Awards. These recommendations
are collected and published in the NAR, and form the basis for
the annual Nebula ballot. |
From the SFWA Outreach Brochure ©
1997 by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.
Prepared by David Brin, Peter Dennis Pautz, Joe Haldeman, and
Michael Capobianco. |
Benevolent Funds
| Emergency Medical Fund |
The SFWA Emergency Medical Fund offers interest-free
loans to members facing unexpected medical expenses. |
| Legal Fund |
The SFWA Legal Fund makes loans available to authors who must
take a writing-related dispute to court. Loans are made on a case-by-case
basis, after review by the Grievance Committee and the SFWA attorney. |
| Literacy Fund |
The SFWA Literacy Fund was created for the encouragement of
genre reading and literacy in general, with funds to be disbursed
by an oversight board like the Emergency Medical Fund, per guidelines
as the SFWA board shall set. Funds may be used, for example, to
assist existing literacy charities or to assist schools/libraries
in promoting or purchasing genre literature, such as via grants,
traveling exhibits, etc. |
Other
| Online Discussion Forums |
SFWA offers a number of private discussion forums
hosted by SFF.net. Members use these forums to keep in touch with
each other, discuss issues relating to the organization, and share
insights about the craft and business of writing. |
| SFWA Convention Suites |
SFWA hosts private suites at many conventions, providing a restful
environment where members can meet each other, talk shop, and
share a drink or two. |
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