Archive for the ‘SFWA Blog’ Category

Metaphysics & Matter: Should Elves Have Atoms?

by Austin Conrad Fantasy’s enduring appeal stems from our imaginative exploration of the impossible. Each branch of speculative fiction asks the question “What if?” in their settings and stories. Many flowers on these branches portray a world which is plausible—outlandish and beautiful, but similar in nature to our own. In contrast, fantasy’s flowers enable us […]

SFWA Awards 2024 Givers Fund Grants!

The Grants Committee of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) has awarded 34 organizations, activities, and public interest programs with Givers Fund Grants. These micro-grants ranged from $375 to $2900 each, for use for projects taking place in 2024. The total amount given this year was $28,915. Givers Fund Grants are intended to […]

Take Editing Humor Seriously. Please.

by James Beamon I take my humor seriously. You have to, as a humorist, and even more as an editor looking for funny stories. The bulk of my editing experience has been scrutinizing speculative short fiction for the Unidentified Funny Objects anthology series, currently on its ninth release. When scouring the slush for the right […]

SFWA Market Report – March 2024

Welcome to the March edition of the SFWA Market Report. Please note: Inclusion of any venue in this report does not indicate an official endorsement by SFWA. Those markets included on this list pay at least $0.08/word USD in at least one category of fiction. This compilation is not exhaustive of all publication opportunities that pay […]

Speaking Common

by Austin Conrad Fantasy worlds often include a single “common” language spoken by a majority of the setting’s inhabitants. Often simply called Common, this shared language smooths over communication challenges in both fiction and games. Dungeons & Dragons is perhaps the most infamous example of a work utilizing Common in this way. This convenience is […]