What we’re about
The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose purpose is to promote, discuss, celebrate and educate people about science fiction, fantasy and speculative fiction in all of their forms.
PSFS meets monthly, usually on the second Friday of the month. Since Covid, our meetings have been a combination of remote (via Zoom) and in-person. Locations for in-person meetings are either at St. Mary’s Church at Penn, 3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia PA 19104, or the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19104.
Meetings usually feature a guest speaker from some area of the SF or fantasy field. Past guests have included Carmen Maria Machado, Josiah Bancroft, Tom Purdom, Jon McGoran, Madeleine Miller, Fonda Lee, Jeanne Cavelos, Jonathan Lethem, Vandana Singh, PJ Manney, Jason Sanford, John Wiswell, A. T. Greenblatt, Cat Rambo, Jo Walton, Stephanie Feldman, Ray Nayler, Premee Mohamed, Randee Dawn, Ellen Datlow, Walter Hunt, and Gregory Frost. Although our primary focus is on literary forms of SF and Fantasy, we also present guests who are involved in science, art, movies, comics, and gaming.
PSFS was founded by a group of teenage SF fans in 1935 and is the oldest continually active science fiction club in the United States. In addition to our regular monthly meetings, we have a book discussion group, a writer's workshop, (several of our members are successful published authors) and many special events such as parties, picnics, and trips to movies and museums. If you enjoy the wide and varied worlds of science Fiction and fantasy, you will find a home at PSFS!
For more information about the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society, see our website at www.PSFS.org.
Philcon, our annual three day science fiction convention, takes place every November. It features speakers, panel discussions, performances, exhibits, an art show, costume show and much more. For more information about Philcon, go to www.philcon.org.
We hope to see you at our next meeting!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Capclave / PSFS fan tableHilton Washington DC/Rockville, Rockville, MD
PSFS will be staffing a fan table at this year's Capclave - if you attend the convention, stop by and say hi!
What is Capclave, you ask?
Capclave is a small relaxed literary convention with a program that usually focuses on the short fiction form. Our Guests of Honor and other notable authors, editors, artists, and fans of the short fiction form will explore the creation and enjoyment of short fantasy and science fiction genre stories.
Past Capclaves have hosted discussions with authors and fans; readings by authors; a dealer’s room with books, magazines, artwork, crafts, and other science fiction and fantasy related items; exhibits by artists; space science presentations from NASA; a hospitality suite; room parties; interesting conversations with other fans and professionals; and a relaxed atmosphere for visiting old friends and meeting new friends.
This year's guests of honor include science fiction author Joe Haldeman (The Forever War, and many other works). Full information on the convention can be found on the website here: https://capclave.org/capclave25.
- PSFS Table at the 23rd Annual Collingswood Book FestivalHaddon Avenue Business District, Collingswood, NJ
PSFS will be staffing a fan table at this year's Collingswood Book Festival - if you attend the convention, stop by and say hi!
“It’s Where You Want to Read.” Now in its 22nd year, the Collingswood Book Festival has been called the most quiet fun experience thousands of people can have! Every year the avenue comes alive with readers connecting with over 60 presenting authors and an additional 275 authors and exhibitors, plus music, food, and literary games and activities. Our award-winning festival is the longest-running, largest literary event in the Delaware Valley. Attendance in 2019 surpassed 7,000 and keeps growing!
Each year there are multiple science fiction, fantasy and horror authors to check among the many other cool things at the festival, And best of all, this outdoor book festival is free to attend! : )
Full details on the festival's website here: https://www.collingswoodbookfestival.com
- PSFS October Author Presentation - author presenter to be announcedLink visible for attendees
This event will be virtual only and held via Zoom; please email the address "info@psfs.org" to receive the link.
This October PSFS will once again be proud to host an online author presentation via Zoom - the author guest and additional details will be posted as soon as we have them!
- Philcon 2025 - in person science fiction, fantasy & horror convention!DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, NJ
Mark your calendars, folks - Philcon 2025 will be happening the weekend of Nov. 21-23 this year!
Philcon has a full weekend of programming including speakers, panel discussions, a Masquerade, art show, dealer room, tabletop gaming, and more.
The principal speaker this year will be author and game designer Charles E. Gannon (https://charlesegannon.com). Follow him on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HO80WS, and his free Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/CharlesGannon.
The artist Guest of Honor for this year is Sara Felix (https://www.sarafelix.com/wp). You can follow her Page on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/sarafelixart.
Note that Philcon is a convention and purchase of a badge is required to participate in the activities. Details on badge costs and the convention overall can be found here: https://philcon.org.
