Hello all, my name is Dean Wells. I’m running to serve as one of the Directors-at-Large with the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.  I write retro-futurist science fantasy that masquerades as science fiction (my niche being in the short form: flash to long novella and everything in between), alternatively humorous or laced with existential dread.  I don’t know why, they just come out that way.  I’m an educator, workshop leader, moderator, and convention panelist, most recently at the 2024 Nebula Awards Conference.

Prior to writing full-time I was in materials and logistics management, primarily in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.  Problem solving, critical thinking, procedure writing, root cause analysis; all of it carefully weighed and precise.  Prior to that I wrote and performed sketch comedy (really), where the name of the game was to hit the stage running, do your bit, deliver the punch, then get off as fast as you can.

In hindsight, both sides of my professional life have relied on exactly the same set of skills.  Strip away what doesn’t work, keep what does, focus on the task you want accomplished, the story you want to tell, and get it done.  Skills I can bring here to the SFWA board.

Diverse by Nature, United by Choice

A line from the Writers in Crisis statement speaks more than most: “[Writers] must have the freedom to express themselves without fear”.

The statement was addressed to speculative fiction authors in areas of the world impacted by war.  It’s unfathomable that because of the social and political upheavals here at home a threat to that freedom has come for our own as well.  But that’s where we are.  To present a united front without, we must be united within.

We cannot lose sight of the fact that our chosen community is a varied one.  Membership encompasses a spectrum of beliefs, ethnicities, genders, and personal identifiers.  Everyone has a voice in our house.  We will not always agree with one another.  Passions flare.  And in times as heated as these, diversity can quickly devolve into “your tribe is not of mine”.

So what is the Board to do?  Be true to what has already been promised and pay it forward.  Again, from Writers in Crisis: “…our mission is to inform, support, promote, defend, and advocate for writers of science fiction, fantasy, and related genres.” 

Set goals worthy of that pledge.  Challenge them.  Are they stated clearly and communicated to all?  What actions are these goals meant to achieve?  Why are those actions important?  What provisions have been made if they fall behind or are not met?  Strip away what doesn’t work, keep what does, tell the story you want to tell, and get it done.   

Education and Presence in the Public Square

Reading scores among 4^th and 8^th grade students are down.  Literary-based conventions are aging themselves out of relevance as younger fans look elsewhere for communities of their own.  And SFWA is a tax-exempt education nonprofit, but are we doing all we can to earn that status and actually educate?  Getting our name out there, being seen, is a way to start.  Plans-of-action might include:

• Maintain an ongoing presence at Worldcon, NASFiC, and World Fantasy.
• Sponsor readings at middle schools and book fairs.
• Host workshops and panels at regional conventions, and information tables in venues that attract teen and young adult fans.
• Support voter-registration at county and municipal events.
• Podcast interviews.
• And promote the hell out of the Nebulas.

Other Thoughts

AI: Well, it’s a problem.  I don’t pretend to understand the technicalities of it all (although the ramifications are more than clear), but I can represent with confidence those among us who do.

Traditional publishing: Indie, hybrid, and self-publishing have dominated the conversation for a good while.  I would like to see equitable support and resources for those who take the other path.  

Short fiction: Same as above.  Novels are wondrous things but so are works in shorter formats.  Flash is very much on the rise, and it’s the hardest narrative style to get right.

I’ll close with this.  We’re writers.  We dwell in the fantastic, and that alone is something grand.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully…