I write across two genres — science fiction and horror — and I harbour no ambitions towards literary fiction. Mainstream authors’ organisations are often focused on the literary and mundane genres, so I don’t feel entirely welcome. Fortunately there are SF and fantasy genre writers’ organisations where I’m an easier fit.
Genre fiction writers’ organisations
While authors’ organisations are more like trades unions, SF and fantasy organisations are a broader church. Members range from active writers to pure fans, but they’re often both. They also celebrate their genres with conventions and awards that bring to together fans and creators.
There are also writers’ organisations for crime, romance and other genres, but I’ll leave it to writers in those areas to dig out the details.
British and Irish genre writers’ organisations
Most British groups for science fiction, fantasy and horror have roots in the early fandom of genre fiction. Membership usually brings the right to vote in awards and take part in events from conventions to writing groups.
I couldn’t find any dedicated groups for authors of SF, fantasy and horror in Ireland. The annual Octocon in Dublin holds writing events and the mainstream organisations are beginning to embrace the fantastic. If you let me know in the comments, I’ll gladly add more groups to this list.
The British Science Fiction Association
The BSFA started in 1958, and is dedicated to supporting SF in all its forms. The BSFA holds several annual events, including its own AGM in June. It’s also closely associated with the British annual science fiction convention, Eastercon. BSFA members nominate judges to the panel of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award for best new science fiction novel.
The flagship event of the BSFA calendar is its awards, which are presented at Eastercon. BSFA membership gives you the right both to nominate and vote for award winners. The BSFA also arranges for a guest speaker from arts and humanities academia to give a lecture at Eastercon.
Members receive issues of no less than four BSFA publications during the year. Both members and non-members are encouraged to submit fiction and non-fiction to all of its publications, and it pays all of its contributors.
Vector (2-3 issues per year) is a critical journal featuring in-depth articles, interviews, and reviews on SFF and diverse topics in technology, science, society and culture. If you’re as fan of the word “liminal”, Vector is for you.
Focus (twice a year) is the BSFA’s magazine for writers, packed with articles, tips, recommendations, interviews, and reflections on the creative process of writing SFF. The BSFA Review is a digital magazine filled with reviews of the latest genre fiction. Fission is an annual anthology of science fiction, and swaps translated stories with Spanish magazine Celsius.
Members can choose to receive the BSFA publications in print or digital formats, with a hefty discount if you choose the downloadable option.
BSFA annual membership rates:
- UK print: £31 single, £20 concession, £33 joint/family.
- UK digital: £20 single, £14 concession
- Non-UK print: £45 single
- Non-UK digital: £20 single
The British Fantasy Society
The BFS began life in 1971 as The British Weird Fantasy Society. It describes itself as a family of fantasy and horror enthusiasts brought together by their love of these genres. The main event of the year is Fantasycon in October, and members get a £10 discount to attend.
The con is home to the the British Fantasy Awards, in which BFS members get to vote. These include the Robert Holdstock Award for best fantasy novel and the the August Derleth Award for best horror novel. Members also get a free entry into the annual BFS Short Story Competition, and free or discounted access to country-wide social events and book launches.
The BFS publishes two magazines for its members. BFS Horizons is devoted to short fiction, poetry and artwork, with a broad definition of fantasy that encompasses weird fiction, swords and sorcery, science fiction and all varieties of horror. The BFS Journal is a non-fiction critical magazine featuring interviews, overviews, critiques, biographies, histories, opinions and ruminations. Both welcome submissions for paid content, from members and non-members. The BFS Journal is also looking for an editor.
BFS annual membership rates:
- Digital: £20 single.
- UK print: £35 single, £40 joint.
- EU print: £45 single, £50 joint.
- Rest of World print: £60 single, £65 joint.
Dedicated SF, fantasy and horror writing groups
If you’re in search of a writing group to meet other writers, MeetUp is a good place to start. Two groups stand out for writers of SF and fantasy, if you’re lucky enough to be in London or Dublin. Again, I’d love to add more.
Spectrum: London has been around since 2015 and hosts both in-person and online events. These include critique meetings, Novel Track mini-groups where writers help each other with ongoing projects, write-ins, and an annual short story competition. Special speaker events feature authors, editors and agents. It’s free, but events usually fill up fast.
Spectrum: Dublin is a sister group that meets for write-ins and critique sessions in central Dublin.
US and international genre writers’ organisations
Many North American writers’ groups style themselves as the world body for their genre, even though their main concern is writers in the USA. On the other hand, these organisations often have large memberships that give them financial clout and a powerful voice.
Unlike the UK genre associations, these are dedicated organisations for authors and associated creative and publishing professionals.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association
The SFWA has been promoting, advancing, and supporting science fiction, fantasy and horror writing since 1965. It only recently swapped America for Association in its title. The annual SFWA Nebula Conference is the venue for the Nebula Awards.
The organisation also supports Writer Beware, the blog which sorts real publishers from vanity publishing scams.
Members can get help with promotions, assistance with contracts and disputes, access emergency medical funds (oh, America!) and use private discussion forums. The SFWA also campaigns on issues like the terms and conditions for Amazon Kindle and Google Books, negotiates with major publishers, and provides regular publications including a quarterly magazine, The Bulletin.
The SFWA is a professional association and writers must have a track record, with tiers for new and established authors. Full and associate members can vote in the awards, but only full members can vote in the association elections.
SFWA annual membership rates:
- Associates: $100 (£79/€93), must have earned at least $100 from published work.
- Full members: $100 (£79/€93), must have earned at least $1000 from published work.
The Horror Writers’ Association
The HWA claims to be the world’s oldest literary organisation of writers and publishing professionals, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it. (The key to that statement is in the second half of the sentence.) It’s best known for the Bram Stoker Awards, handed out annually at StokerCon.
The association sponsors public readings and lectures, facilitates readings and signings by horror writers, and curates several scholarships. They also provide the Horror University Online as well as in-person workshops through local chapters in the US and overseas.
Publications under the HWA brand include the “HWA Presents” anthologies and regular poetry collections. These are edited by the association’s senior members and are open exclusively to members, making a great route to first publication.
Membership of the HWA is open to anyone with an interest in the genre. Only Active Pro Writers can vote for the awards, serve as officers of the organisation and mentor new members.
HWA annual membership rates:
- Supporting Ally: $59 (£47/€55), open to all.
- Affiliate Writer: $79 (£63/€73), must have at least one paid publishing credit.
- Active Pro Writer: $79 (£63/€73), for established writers or editors.
Which genre writers’ organisations will I join?
I’m already a member of the BSFA and a British Fantasy Society digital membership would be a worthwhile investment. Not sure when I’ll get round to all that extra reading, though.
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Cover image by Jay on Unsplash.