There’s been another kerfuffle in the Science Fiction world – this time with SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America). A couple of “Old Guard” wrote a piece for the Bulletin (the official publication for said group) that caused great consternation. John Scalzi, the current President of SFWA and a true class act, has taken full responsibility for this…stupidity…an apologized – eloquently.

I appreciate his effort to make this apology but to SFWA members and to the public, because it’s one more nail in the “I will have to think long and hard about whether or not I EVER join this group” debate that I’ve been having with myself. I’ve alluded to my issues with SFWA in other posts, and I figured it was time to go ahead and say them. Because this debate about joining SFWA? It’s still moot. I don’t qualify for membership.

In 10 years (or more) of publishing and being a working writer, I do not have ONE SINGLE QUALIFYING SALE in an “approved” SFWA market. Now, I don’t blame them for having criteria – they’re a professional group and can set whatever standards they want, but 90% of the current paying markets (granted small and really small press) DO NOT QUALIFY. Nor does self published stuff (but that’s truly a different matter). And guess who’s getting the slots in the other 10% – those “names” who can sell copies and sometimes show their butts in public because they still think it’s 1970.

And let me tell you, if you don’t think it matters? It does. It’s not just the Old School Guys – yes, Mike Resnick is one of them – who refuse to treat you as professional if you don’t have a qualifying sale. (I haven’t been belittled for being a woman because I don’t yet rate on the radar as a professional writer). You think SFWA is a dinosaur despite Scalzi’s efforts? That’s because there’s almost no new blood able to join the ranks. (I don’t even qualify for “Associates” status that lets you see the pool but not play in it.) And some conventions – including one of my “home” conventions – have so many people wanting to be panelists have adopted criteria based on SFWAs guidelines to vette potential panelists. If I were a new writer, I wouldn’t be able to be on panels. So, it matters.

Only a couple of “new” writers are accepted into the Big 3 magazines every year. Think about that. The three top short story markets suitable for SFWA qualifications only take a small handful of writers that aren’t already (probably) SFWA qualified writers (whether members or not). And with book publishers cutting budgets to the bone, good luck getting a book deal with a qualifying publisher – especially since self pub subsidiaries are getting a lot of them DISQUALIFIED (and rightfully so). So it’s really hard to get your toe into that door to –hopefully – help bring an aging organization back into relevancy.

This isn’t supposed to be a “Woe is me” post. It’s a post to show my perspective on why things happen with organizations like SFWA. With an aging membership and a narrow focus, old ways of thinking are inevitable. At least Scalzi owned it. Whether anything is done about it? Yeah, I don’t see that happening either, so maybe after another 10 years of publishing, I might have something that qualifies and then we’ll see if I see the need to join.