Washington Science Fiction Association
Encyclopedia
The Washington Science Fiction Association (WSFA) is the oldest science fiction
club in the Washington, D.C.
area. It is also one of the oldest science fiction clubs, founded in 1947 by seven fans who met at that year's Worldcon
in Philadelphia, the fifth Worldcon held.
Since 1960 it has met on the evenings of the first and third Fridays of each month in the homes of members. All meetings are open (and along the way have included a Polish
student and a Cuban
author). There are often informal meetings on fifth Fridays. Because there was a 5th Friday in February 1980—a 5th Friday in February occurs only every 28 years—it was decided to hold a relaxacon called DatClave. The second DatClave was held in 2008.
On January 5, 1963 club members from Baltimore
were trapped on a Trailways bus when returning to Baltimore after a WSFA meeting. The Baltimore Science Fiction Society
was formed on the backseat of the bus.
It hosted the annual Disclave
science fiction convention
in or near Washington, D.C. from 1950 through 1997. After a four year hiatus WSFA began a new convention, Capclave. WSFA has also hosted Worldcon
s, SMOFcon
s, World Fantasy Convention
s, and many other events both casual and otherwise.
Since 1965 WSFA has published the monthly WSFA Journal
. WSFA Press has published eight books: The Father of Stones by Lucius Shepard
in 1989, Through Darkest Resnick With Gun and Camera by Mike Resnick
in 1990, The Edges of Things by Lewis Shiner
in 1991, Home By The Sea by Pat Cadigan in 1992, and Future Washington, an anthology edited by Ernest Lilley, in 2005, Reincarnations by Harry Turtledove
in 2009. In 2010, WSFA Press published two books in conjunction with Capclave, The Three Quests of the Wizard Sarnod, by Jeff VanderMeer
, and Fire Watch by Connie Willis
Not issued as a WSFA Press book, but published by WSFA, was a promotional giveaway to the membership of the 2005 Capclave, and issued without an isbn, was a chapbook by Guest of Honor Howard Waldrop
. The chapbook was published in the format of an Ace Double cover art by Carol Emshwiller
, wife of the late artist Ed Emshwiller
who did many covers for the Ace science fiction books (signing his art as Emsh. The two stories were The Horse of a Different Color (That You Rode in On) and The King of Where-I-Go. The King of Where-I-Go was a finalist for the Hugo Award
and the Locus Award
.
In 2007, the WSFA inaugurated the WSFA Small Press Award
.
WSFA is incorporated as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization.
was a science fiction convention
run by WSFA in or near Washington D.C. in the springtime of nearly every year from 1950 through 1997. By most counts it was the fourth-oldest science fiction convention. The Washington Post
had an article about that first Disclave, which began "The Washington Science Fiction Association held its first disclave at the Hotel Wardman Park yesterday, with visitors from as far away as Pennsylvania and New York, and rocket expert, Willy Ley
, among the speakers."
In 1997, after the final Disclave, WSFA took time off to discuss and plan the structure and focus of their next convention. The first Capclave was held in 2001.
that has been run by the Washington Science Fiction Association (WSFA) near Washington, D.C.
, in the autumn of every year starting in 2001.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
club in the Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
area. It is also one of the oldest science fiction clubs, founded in 1947 by seven fans who met at that year's Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
in Philadelphia, the fifth Worldcon held.
Since 1960 it has met on the evenings of the first and third Fridays of each month in the homes of members. All meetings are open (and along the way have included a Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
student and a Cuban
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
author). There are often informal meetings on fifth Fridays. Because there was a 5th Friday in February 1980—a 5th Friday in February occurs only every 28 years—it was decided to hold a relaxacon called DatClave. The second DatClave was held in 2008.
On January 5, 1963 club members from Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
were trapped on a Trailways bus when returning to Baltimore after a WSFA meeting. The Baltimore Science Fiction Society
Baltimore Science Fiction Society
The Baltimore Science Fiction Society is a literary society focusing on science fiction, fantasy and related genres. A 501c3 literary society based in Baltimore, Maryland, the BSFS sponsors Balticon, the Maryland Regional Science Fiction Convention....
was formed on the backseat of the bus.
It hosted the annual Disclave
Disclave
Disclave was a science fiction convention run by the Washington Science Fiction Association in or near Washington D.C. in the springtime of nearly every year from 1950 through 1997. By many counts it was the third-oldest science fiction convention....
science fiction convention
Science fiction convention
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as movies and...
in or near Washington, D.C. from 1950 through 1997. After a four year hiatus WSFA began a new convention, Capclave. WSFA has also hosted Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
s, SMOFcon
SMOFcon
SMOFcon is an annual convention that focuses on the organisation of science fiction conventions. The first SMOFcon took place in 1984, and most have taken place in the USA....
s, World Fantasy Convention
World Fantasy Convention
The World Fantasy Convention is an annual convention of professionals, collectors, and others interested in the field of fantasy. It places emphasis on literature and art, while de-emphasizing dramatic presentation, gaming, masquerade, and the like. The World Fantasy Awards are presented at the...
s, and many other events both casual and otherwise.
Since 1965 WSFA has published the monthly WSFA Journal
WSFA Journal
The WSFA Journal is a science fiction fanzine that has been published approximately once a month since 1965 by the Washington Science Fiction Association...
. WSFA Press has published eight books: The Father of Stones by Lucius Shepard
Lucius Shepard
Lucius Shepard is an American writer. Classified as a science fiction and fantasy writer, he often leans into other genres, such as magical realism. His work is infused with a political and historical sensibility and an awareness of literary antecedents...
in 1989, Through Darkest Resnick With Gun and Camera by Mike Resnick
Mike Resnick
Michael Diamond Resnick , better known by his published name Mike Resnick, is an American science fiction author. He was executive editor of Jim Baen's Universe.-Biography:...
in 1990, The Edges of Things by Lewis Shiner
Lewis Shiner
Lewis Shiner is an American writer.Shiner began his career as a science fiction writer, identified early on with cyberpunk, and later wrote more mainstream novels, albeit often with magical realism and fantasy elements...
in 1991, Home By The Sea by Pat Cadigan in 1992, and Future Washington, an anthology edited by Ernest Lilley, in 2005, Reincarnations by Harry Turtledove
Harry Turtledove
Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.- Life :...
in 2009. In 2010, WSFA Press published two books in conjunction with Capclave, The Three Quests of the Wizard Sarnod, by Jeff VanderMeer
Jeff VanderMeer
Jeffrey Scott VanderMeer is an American writer, editor and publisher.He is best known for his contributions to the New Weird and his stories about the city of Ambergris, in books like City of Saints and Madmen.-Biography:...
, and Fire Watch by Connie Willis
Connie Willis
Constance Elaine Trimmer Willis is an American science fiction writer. She has won eleven Hugo Awards and seven Nebula Awards. Willis most recently won a Hugo Award for Blackout/All Clear...
Not issued as a WSFA Press book, but published by WSFA, was a promotional giveaway to the membership of the 2005 Capclave, and issued without an isbn, was a chapbook by Guest of Honor Howard Waldrop
Howard Waldrop
Howard Waldrop is a science fiction author who works primarily in short fiction.Waldrop's stories combine elements such as alternate history, American popular culture, the American South, old movies , classical mythology, and rock 'n' roll music. His style is sometimes obscure or elliptical...
. The chapbook was published in the format of an Ace Double cover art by Carol Emshwiller
Carol Emshwiller
Carol Emshwiller is an American writer of avant garde short stories and science fiction who has won prizes ranging from the Nebula Award to the Philip K. Dick Award. Ursula K...
, wife of the late artist Ed Emshwiller
Ed Emshwiller
Ed Emshwiller was a visual artist notable for illustrations of many science fiction magazine covers and for his pioneering experimental films...
who did many covers for the Ace science fiction books (signing his art as Emsh. The two stories were The Horse of a Different Color (That You Rode in On) and The King of Where-I-Go. The King of Where-I-Go was a finalist for the Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
and the Locus Award
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.
In 2007, the WSFA inaugurated the WSFA Small Press Award
WSFA Small Press Award
The WSFA Small Press Award was inaugurated by the Washington Science Fiction Association in 2007. The award is open to works of imaginative literature published in English for the first time in the previous calendar year...
.
WSFA is incorporated as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization.
Disclave
DisclaveDisclave
Disclave was a science fiction convention run by the Washington Science Fiction Association in or near Washington D.C. in the springtime of nearly every year from 1950 through 1997. By many counts it was the third-oldest science fiction convention....
was a science fiction convention
Science fiction convention
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as movies and...
run by WSFA in or near Washington D.C. in the springtime of nearly every year from 1950 through 1997. By most counts it was the fourth-oldest science fiction convention. The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
had an article about that first Disclave, which began "The Washington Science Fiction Association held its first disclave at the Hotel Wardman Park yesterday, with visitors from as far away as Pennsylvania and New York, and rocket expert, Willy Ley
Willy Ley
Willy Ley was a German-American science writer and space advocate who helped popularize rocketry and spaceflight in both Germany and the United States. The crater Ley on the far side of the Moon is named in his honor.-Life:...
, among the speakers."
In 1997, after the final Disclave, WSFA took time off to discuss and plan the structure and focus of their next convention. The first Capclave was held in 2001.
Capclave
Capclave is a science fiction conventionScience fiction convention
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as movies and...
that has been run by the Washington Science Fiction Association (WSFA) near Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, in the autumn of every year starting in 2001.
Table of Capclaves
| Year-Mo-Days | Site | State | Featured Guests | Chair | Paid Attendance | Total Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 9 28-30 | Sheraton College Park | MD | Gardner Dozois Gardner Dozois Gardner Raymond Dozois is an American science fiction author and editor. He was editor of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine from 1984 to 2004... |
Bob MacIntosh | unknown | 296 | |
| 2002 10 18-20 | Hilton Silver Spring | MD | Stanley Schmidt Stanley Schmidt Stanley Albert Schmidt is an American science fiction author. Since 1978 he has been the editor of the SF magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact.-Biography:... /Alexis Gilliland |
Michael Nelson | unknown | 285 | |
| 2003 11 21-23 | Hilton Silver Spring | MD | William Tenn William Tenn William Tenn was the pseudonym of Philip Klass , a British-born American science fiction author, notable for many stories with satirical elements.-Early life:... |
Sam Lubell | unknown | 234 | |
| 2004 10 15-17 | Tysons Marriott | VA | Nick Pollotta Nick Pollotta Nick Pollotta is an American author. The majority of his work has been published by Gold Eagle Books under house names "James Axler" and "Don Pendelton".He lives in Chicago with his wife, Melissa.- 1991 :* DOOMSDAY EXAM, Fantasy/Humor... /Butch Honeck/Dennis McCunney |
Lee Gilliland | 129 | 250 | |
| 2005 10 14-16 | Hilton Silver Spring | MD | Howard Waldrop Howard Waldrop Howard Waldrop is a science fiction author who works primarily in short fiction.Waldrop's stories combine elements such as alternate history, American popular culture, the American South, old movies , classical mythology, and rock 'n' roll music. His style is sometimes obscure or elliptical... /Patrick Nielsen Hayden Patrick Nielsen Hayden Patrick James Nielsen Hayden , is an American science fiction editor, fan, fanzine publisher, essayist, reviewer, anthologist, teacher and blogger. He is a World Fantasy Award and Hugo Award winner , and is an editor and the Manager of Science Fiction at Tor Books... //Teresa Nielsen Hayden Teresa Nielsen Hayden Teresa Nielsen Hayden is an American science fiction editor, fanzine writer, essayist, and teacher. She is a consulting editor for Tor Books. She has also worked for Federated Media Publishing, where in 2007 she revived the comment section for the blog Boing Boing... |
Michael J. Walsh Michael Walsh (publisher) Michael Jarrett Walsh owns and operates Old Earth Books, a small press science fiction publisher. He primarily publishes re-prints, though occasionally he issues original books from established authors. His first publication was a short story collection Rude Astronauts, by Allen Steele, published... |
329 | 385 | |
| 2006 10 20-22 | Hilton Silver Spring | MD | Kim Stanley Robinson Kim Stanley Robinson Kim Stanley Robinson is an American science fiction writer known for his award-winning Mars trilogy. His work delves into ecological and sociological themes regularly, and many of his novels appear to be the direct result of his own scientific fascinations, such as the fifteen years of research... /Tom Whitmore |
Elspeth Kovar | 288 | 378 | |
| 2007 10 12-14 | Rockville Hilton | MD | Jeffrey Ford Jeffrey Ford Jeffrey Ford is an American writer in the Fantastic genre tradition, although his works have spanned genres including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Mystery. His work is characterized by a sweeping imaginative power, humor, literary allusion, and a fascination with tales told within tales... /Ellen Datlow Ellen Datlow Ellen Datlow is an American science fiction, fantasy, and horror editor and anthologist.-Biography:Datlow was the fiction editor of Omni magazine and Omni Online from 1981 through 1998, and edited the ten associated Omni anthologies... |
Colleen Cahill | 257 | 323 | |
| 2008 10 17-19 | Rockville Hilton | MD | James Morrow James Morrow James Morrow is a fiction author. A self-described "scientific humanist", his work satirises organized religion and elements of humanism and atheism.... /Michael Dirda Michael Dirda Michael Dirda , a Fulbright Fellowship recipient, is a Pulitzer Prize–winning book critic for the Washington Post.-Career:Having studied at Oberlin College for his undergraduate degree, Dirda took a Ph.D. from Cornell University in comparative literature. In 1978 Dirda started writing for the... |
Sam Scheiner | 246 | 319 | |
| 2009 10 16-18 | Rockville Hilton | MD | Harry Turtledove Harry Turtledove Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.- Life :... /Sheila Williams Sheila Williams -Biography:Sheila grew up in a family of five in western Massachusetts. Her mother had a master's degree in microbiology. Ms. Williams’ interest in science fiction came from her father who read Edgar Rice Burroughs books to her as a child. Later Ms... |
Bill Lawhorn | 304 | 387 | |
| 2010 10 22-24 | Rockville Hilton | MD | Connie Willis Connie Willis Constance Elaine Trimmer Willis is an American science fiction writer. She has won eleven Hugo Awards and seven Nebula Awards. Willis most recently won a Hugo Award for Blackout/All Clear... /Ann VanderMeer Ann VanderMeer Ann VanderMeer is an American publisher and editor, and the second female editor of the venerable horror magazine Weird Tales. She is the founder of Buzzcity Press.Her work as Fiction Editor of Weird Tales won a Hugo Award... /Jeff VanderMeer Jeff VanderMeer Jeffrey Scott VanderMeer is an American writer, editor and publisher.He is best known for his contributions to the New Weird and his stories about the city of Ambergris, in books like City of Saints and Madmen.-Biography:... |
Gayle Surrette | |||