WORLD SF

   International association of sf professionals (not only writers, but also artists, critics, editors, agents, publishers, etc.), founded in Dublin, Sep 1976, by professionals at the First World Science Fiction Writers'Conference, and coming into operation as of the 1978 Dublin meeting. WSF's stated aim is "the general dissemination of creative sf, the furthering of scholarship, the interchange of ideas . . . the fostering of closer bonds between those who already hold such deep interests in common around the globe". Presidents have been Harry HARRISON (1978-80), Frederik POHL (1980-82), Brian W. ALDISS (1982-4), Sam J. LUNDWALL (1984-6), GianfrancoViviani (1986-8), Norman SPINRAD (1988-90) and Malcolm EDWARDS (1990-92). Pohl instituted the Karel Award for excellence in sf translation. Under Aldiss the Harrison Award, for improving the status of sf internationally, and the President's Award, for independence of thought, were added. WSF-related books have been The Penguin World Omnibus of Science Fiction(anth 1986) ed Aldiss and Lundwall and Tales from Planet Earth (anth 1986) ed Pohl and Elizabeth Anne Hull. The 1st World SF Newsletter appeared in 1980 ed Niels DALGAARD and the 3rd in 1991 ed James Goddard. Annualmeetings after 1978 were: 1979 Stockholm, Sweden; 1980 Stresa, Italy; 1981 Rotterdam, Netherlands; 1982 Linz, Austria; 1983 Zagreb, Yugoslavia; 1984Brighton, UK; 1985 Fanano, Italy; 1986 Vancouver, Canada; 1987 Brighton, UK; 1988 Budapest, Hungary; 1989 San Marino; 1990 The Hague, Netherlands; 1991 Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China; 1993 (none in 1992) Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.

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