SFWA Now Accepting Self-Published & Indie Authors

By Dianna Dilworth 

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) has amended its bylaw to accept self-published and indie press credits for Active and Associate memberships within the organization.

“Writers write. Professional writers get paid a decent amount for what they write,” explained Steven Gould, president of SFWA. “For the past five years it’s been apparent that there are ways to earn that decent amount that were not being covered by our previous qualification standards. Though these changes took a substantial amount of time, I’m grateful to everyone who worked toward this end.”

The organization will post its new membership standards on sfwa.org by March 1st. The basic standards are likely to go something like this: $3,000 for novel or a total of 10,000 words of short fiction paid at 6 cents a word for Active membership. SFWA will begin accepting applications from small press and independent publishing qualifying members on March 1st as well.