In Defense of SFWA

[norilana]

By now so many in the blogosphere have heard how the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, or SFWA, has screwed up. Yes, we have. Seriously, bigtime.

And SFWA has also formally apologized, in an official statement from president Michael CapobiancoThe collective face of the organization is still smarting with embarrassment. As a member,

Comments

[onalark]

It's a tempest in a teapot, more or less. It sounds like good things may come out of it, though, and that's encouraging.

My reasons for quitting precede this event. If the changes continue and the organization grows from this, I may have to reconsider my decision to not renew.

Inarguably, the EMF is one of the best things SFWA has ever done for its community. They've helped many people. Were I not covered by my workplace's medical insurance, I can assure you that I would still be a SFWA member.

My lack of participation in SFWA is on my own shoulders -- I have half-heartedly tried to use the forums they have set up, but the interface is a big turn-off, and what free time I have I'd rather spend on writing. That'll change someday. And when it does, I'll evaluate if I need to once again pay SFWA to represent the writers of my genre.

[norilana]

I am afraid this time the teapot is a big one....

Wish you'd stick around, the org needs people like you, to help enact the positive changes we might all prefer. :-)

[stephen_dedman]

I'd just renewed my SFWA membership the day before this mess blew up, but while this error was embarrassing, it would not have dissuaded me from joining again. Living in Australia, I'm never likely to need its Emergency Medical Fund and don't expect to attend any SFWA lounge parties at Worldcon again any time soon, I and doubt I'll ever win a Nebula (closest I've come was the preliminary ballot)... but I'm nonetheless glad these things exist and that the organisation as a whole exists.

[norilana]

Glad you're staying in, Stephen. :-)

Hey, maybe one of the things that can happen in time is more outreach and more features for non US members.

[mabfan]

You should link to this post from sfwa if you haven't yet done so.

[norilana]

Good idea, thanks -- will do!

[ramblin_phyl]

Here here!

Don't forget the model contract, griefcon, and foreighn rights advocates. For all it's faults, SFWA has a place in this world and fills it admirably.

[norilana]

Exactly.

[ineti]

The Writer Beware section of SFWA is also hugely important in this day and age of scumbag tricksters and thieves looking to bilk writers.

I joined two months ago and in spite of the late unpleasantness, plan to remain a member for a long time. If only because I know the organization can rise above this and I'd like to help it do so, so that former members will want to rejoin and new writers will want to join.

[norilana]

Good, and welcome to SFWA!

We're a varied bunch, hard to get along (a herd of cats in the turest sense), but in the long run very much worth it -- I think. :-)