The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. has successfully filed to do future business as the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA). The nonprofit organization has adopted this new name for most professional purposes. Doing so allows SFWA to be more inclusive of its many international members.
Over a quarter of SFWA’s 2,300+ members live and/or work in non-USA countries and territories. Changing the name is not only a part of the natural progression of the organization, it recognizes that SFWA has grown beyond a once USA-centric focus. This is a work-in-progress, but one that SFWA has committed to through the adoption of its new name.
SFWA President Jeffe Kennedy says, “This is an exciting time that we can expand the name of our organization to reflect its core values and true membership. At last our name reflects our mission, which is something many people have been working toward for a long time. This is a milestone moment worthy of celebration.”
SFWA’s website and social media accounts are being updated with new logos to reflect this change. Communications going forward will use “Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association” rather than “Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.”
In answer to the question “Why didn’t we completely change our name, rather than file to ‘do business as’ The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association?” the organization says:
“Taking this path is a simple and legal solution that also allows SFWA to pay respect to our rich, 57-year history. Additionally, it does not require the monumental effort to change our incorporation status and bylaws with California or within the IRS. Doing business as the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association will allow us to comply with fundraising laws across all the United States and its territories, while also recognizing the contributions of international members to our community.
“SFWA is still SFWA, but with this change, we’re more clearly open to creators of science fiction and fantasy no matter what country they call home and what new dimensions and worlds they can imagine.”
[Based on a press release.]
Discover more from File 770
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
This is good, good, good! I am really happy to see American fans embracing more foreign work, enough even to trigger this change. We’ve suffered a tiny tendency to be rather colloquial. Exploring our whole world seems to be a good first step toward exploring the whole galaxy.
And so it begins. Many years ago, I realized that the True Goal of SMOFs was to Conquer the World, and they were starting with fandom as their power base. Many have turned pro, and now…
Oh, that’s right, I’m now a SFWA member. Ok, then let the Revolution begin!
So it begins!
I thought it already was the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, so I’ve been ahead of everybody else in welcoming this news.
Maybe I’m missing something, but a corporate change of name is typically a pretty straightforward thing that costs $30, and has nothing to do with changing your incorporation status or bylaws, unless you have something truly goofy in your bylaws. (It typically just requires filing a certificate of amendment to your articles of incorporation.)
…
The SFWA does have an attorney who knows what they’re doing, right?
I feel like if you’re putting out press releases calling a change of name a “milestone moment worthy of celebration,” having the SFWA put in the minimal effort to actually change the name is a reasonable ask.
To me, this is the equivalent of a tween announcing they’re going to start dotting the i in their name with a heart, and expecting anyone to care.
What kind of question is that? Do a little reading on everything the organization does.
First the world, and then the galaxy!
Excellent news!
@michaele–That should be “parochial,” not “colloquial.”
And I stared at it for an embarrassing length of time, before finally putting my finger on why it was the wrong word, and what the right one was. I mean, it sounds right, doesn’t it? 😀 😉
Pleased to meet you Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association