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- Shore Leave / PSFS fan tableWyndham Lancaster Resort and Convention Center, Lancaster, PA
PSFS will be staffing a fan table at this year's Shore Leave - if you attend the convention, stop by and say hi!
What is Shore Leave, you ask?
Shore Leave is a fan-run convention held each summer to celebrate all things geeky and nerdy. Activities offered at Shore Leave include:
- Celebrity Guests: The convention, initially a Star Trek event, has evolved into a celebration of all forms of sci-fi/fantasy and brings in guests from popular TV shows and movies.
- Writing Workshops: Improve your writing skills with workshops led by favorite writers, covering topics such as writing non-fiction in Trek, point of view in storytelling, and the challenges of being a writer.
- Stargazing: Explore the planets, stars, and galaxies visible from Lancaster, PA.
- Meet the Pros Party: Autograph party with author guests and the chance to meet authors of the latest sci-fi releases.
- Game Room: A variety of activities including role-playing games, collectible card games, and miniature war games.
- Photo Ops: Get a photo taken with your favorite stars and have it signed without leaving the hotel.
- Fan Panels: Some amazing fan-led panels about your favorite Sci-fi/Fantasy subjects!
Full information on the convention can be found on their website here: https://www.shore-leave.com/
- Readercon 34 / PSFS fan tableBoston Marriott Burlington, Burlington, MA
PSFS will be staffing a fan table at this year's Readercon - if you attend the convention, stop by and say hi!
What is Readercon, you ask?
Although Readercon is modeled on general "science fiction conventions," we feature a near-total focus on the written word.
In many years the list of Readercon guests rivals or surpasses that of the Worldcon in quality. Readercon is the only small convention regularly attended by such giants of imaginative literature as Samuel R. Delany, Ellen Datlow, Amal El-Mohtar, John Crowley, Greer Gilman, and Catherynne M. Valente.
The program consists of two tracks each of panel discussions, author readings, and solo talks or workshops, plus kaffeeklatsches (intimate gatherings with an author), autograph signings, and extracurricular activities. The program also currently features the presentation of two major genre awards: the Cordwainer Smith Rediscovery Award for a neglected author and the Shirley Jackson Awards for dark fantasy and psychological suspense.
There is a large Bookshop full of new, used, and rare, and collectible books & magazines (and yet more great conversation; if a Readercon attendee is not at a program item, they're probably here).
There's more. We publish a Souvenir Book whose pages of content rival a Worldcon's in number, and a separate, comprehensive Program Guide.
There is also a hospitality suite well-stocked with munchies; and, yes, there are parties. Readercon is proud to host a number of charitable efforts as well.Full details on the convention can be found on their website here: https://readercon.org/
- 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.
