SFWA Young Adult / Middle Grade closed list-serv

[amysisson]

For anyone who is a SFWA member, you may be aware that the SFWA board will be deciding soon whether to allow the Young Adult / Middle Grade closed list-serv to continue past its six months' trial period. I've been pretty vocal about my opinion that it's inappropriate to set up a sub-group within SFWA that is closed to fully qualified SFWA members

Comments

[davidlevine]

Thanks for pointing that out. I said my piece about this listserv at the meeting at World Fantasy, and just emailed Scalzi with my opinion now.

[amysisson]

Thanks, David. One of the frustrating things is that I haven't been able to find any details on the board's decision to allow it to be closed. Navigating the SFWA forums and minutes is not as easy as it could be. I was pleased to find some comments recorded from the World Fantasy meeting, at least.

[sandramcdonald]

Thank you for carrying on this fight. I think your reasoning is clear and logical, and I hope SFWA stops with the fencing off of knowledge and information.

[amysisson]

Thanks, Sandra!

[mabfan]

Is there a forum on the website where I can state my support of your position?

[amysisson]

Thanks, Michael. I think this is probably the most appropriate place:

http://www.sfwa.org/forum/index.php?/topic/3723-sfwa-mg-and-ya-writers-group/

[birdhousefrog]

In other professional organizations, a separate section like this pays section dues. And I've never heard of any section restricting membership the way this group does. The additional fee is enough to deter the merely curious.

I'll send my comments in as well.

Oz

[amysisson]

Yes, I agree -- in other organizations I'm familiar with, separate groups pay section dues, and are open to all. I suppose a third option for the board would be to have this group pay section dues but still allow it to remain closed. I wouldn't be pleased by that, but it's better than the current situation.