New England Science Fiction Association
A New England science-fiction club and nonprofit literary organization known for its community programs, Boskone convention, publishing activities, and genre awards.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The New England Science Fiction Association, commonly known as NESFA, is a science-fiction and fantasy fan organization centered in the New England region of the United States. Established in 1967 by fans who wanted their club to do more than provide informal socializing, NESFA developed into a broad-based literary and cultural organization supporting science-fiction fandom, speculative fiction, amateur writing, publishing, conventions, and community events. It is registered as a nonprofit literary organization under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. NESFA is based around its clubhouse in Somerville, Massachusetts. Its regular program combines social activity with club administration and creative or educational projects. The organization generally holds a weekly Wednesday gathering, a separate monthly business meeting, and another monthly meeting devoted to broader activities. Its recurring programming has included book groups, game days, game nights, and media presentations featuring science-fiction and fantasy films and television. NESFA has also operated a short-story contest for amateur writers, offering detailed criticism from experienced readers, editors, and professional writers as a way to help participants improve their work. The association's most visible public activity is Boskone, an annual regional science-fiction convention held in the Boston area, traditionally over a February weekend. Boskone presents literary, artistic, musical, and gaming programming, together with the social and community elements associated with science-fiction conventions. The name derives from E. E. Smith's Lensman novels, where the Boskone is an antagonistic organization and civilization. The title also plays on the connection between Boston and a convention that might otherwise have been called “Boscon.” NESFA assumed responsibility for the modern Boskone series with Boskone 5 after earlier events had been organized by the now-defunct Boston Science Fiction Society. The modern numbering began in 1965, while the February scheduling tradition dates from 1976. NESFA also operates NESFA Press, a specialist publishing program focused on classic, overlooked, and historically significant science fiction, as well as reference and history relating to science fiction and fandom. Its publications have included works by Cordwainer Smith, Terry Pratchett, and Roger Zelazny. Through these books, the organization contributes to preservation and renewed access to material that may otherwise be difficult to obtain. The association administers or supports awards recognizing achievement in speculative fiction. The Edward E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction, commonly called the Skylark, honors a person who has made a significant contribution to science fiction while also reflecting the personal qualities associated with E. E. “Doc” Smith. The Jack Gaughan Award recognizes an emerging artist and is selected by a judging panel drawn from established figures in science-fiction illustration and art. NESFA also hosts meetings of Massachusetts Convention Fandom, Inc. MCFI is a separate nonprofit legal entity with substantial membership overlap. It organizes special conventions in the region, including Noreascon, a Worldcon bid and convention series, as well as other fandom events. Through its club meetings, convention work, press, awards, and links with related organizations, NESFA functions as both a local fan community and a long-running institution in American science-fiction fandom.
History
NESFA was founded in 1967 in the New England area by science-fiction fans who wanted an organized club capable of undertaking projects beyond routine social meetings. From its beginning, the association combined the communal traditions of science-fiction fandom with practical literary and cultural work. It later established a permanent clubhouse in Somerville, Massachusetts, which became the setting for recurring meetings, administrative sessions, discussion groups, games, media programs, and other activities. The organization's convention history is closely tied to Boskone. An earlier convention series, Boskone I through Boskone V, was held from 1941 to 1945 under the auspices of the Stranger Club, an earlier Boston science-fiction organization. A new Boskone series began in 1965, with the numbering restarted at one. The first events in that modern series were organized by the Boston Science Fiction Society, also known as BosSFS, which later ceased to exist. NESFA took over operation beginning with Boskone 5. The convention subsequently became one of the association's principal public activities and a durable regional event. Although early editions did not consistently use the same numbering style, the convention adopted exclusively Arabic numbering beginning with Boskone 29. The practice of holding Boskone in February began in 1976 and became a defining part of its identity. NESFA expanded beyond meetings and conventions through publishing and awards. NESFA Press developed a catalog emphasizing classic or neglected science-fiction works and books documenting the history and practice of fandom. Examples include Cordwainer Smith's "The Rediscovery of Man" and "Norstrilia," Terry Pratchett's "Once More* with Footnotes," and collected fiction by Roger Zelazny. The press reflects NESFA's preservation-oriented role: it makes important genre texts and reference material available while connecting contemporary fandom with earlier literary traditions. The association also created recurring mechanisms for recognizing contributors to the field. The Skylark Award honors significant service or achievement in science fiction together with the personal qualities associated with E. E. Smith. The Jack Gaughan Award focuses on an emerging artist and is chosen by a panel that has included prominent science-fiction illustrators. These awards extend NESFA's activities from community building into institutional recognition of authors, artists, and other participants in speculative culture. In addition to its regular schedule, NESFA has supported writing development through a short-story contest for amateur authors. The contest emphasizes constructive criticism from knowledgeable readers and professionals rather than simply rewarding publication or commercial success. The organization has also maintained relationships with other regional fan bodies. It hosts meetings of Massachusetts Convention Fandom, Inc., a legally separate nonprofit with overlapping membership that has organized special conventions, including Noreascon 4, the 62nd World Science Fiction Convention, held in 2004. NESFA therefore occupies several connected roles: a local club, a regional convention operator, a small press, an awards institution, and a custodian of science-fiction fandom history.
- 2004
NESFA Press publishes Once More* with Footnotes
[1]NESFA Press publishes Terry Pratchett's Once More* with Footnotes.
- 2004
Noreascon 4 is held
[1]Massachusetts Convention Fandom, Inc., a separate organization with overlapping membership, hosts Noreascon 4, the 62nd World Science Fiction Convention, in September.
- 1995
NESFA Press publishes Norstrilia
[1]The press issues Cordwainer Smith's novel Norstrilia, reinforcing its focus on classic and historically important science fiction.
- 1993
NESFA Press publishes The Rediscovery of Man
[1]NESFA Press publishes a collection of Cordwainer Smith's fiction as part of its program of preserving and circulating significant science-fiction works.
- 1976
Boskone adopts its February tradition
[1]The annual convention's recurring February schedule begins, later becoming a central part of Boskone's identity.
- 1967
NESFA is founded
[1]The New England Science Fiction Association is established by fans seeking an organization that could undertake projects in addition to ordinary socializing.
- 1965
Modern Boskone series begins
[1]A new Boskone convention series starts with numbering restarted at one. Early editions are associated with the Boston Science Fiction Society before NESFA assumes operation.
Products and positioning
A member-supported New England science-fiction institution combining fan community, literary programming, convention production, genre publishing, and recognition of creative achievement.
Science-fiction convention · 1965
Boskone
NESFA's principal public event is a regional science-fiction convention held in the Boston area over a February weekend. Its program spans literature, art, music, gaming, and convention fandom, combining formal sessions with social and community activities. The modern series began in 1965 after an earlier 1941–1945 series, and NESFA took operational responsibility with Boskone 5.
Specialist publishing
NESFA Press
NESFA Press is the association's small publishing arm. It concentrates on classic, neglected, and otherwise significant science-fiction works, along with reference and historical material about science fiction and fandom. Its catalog has included books by Cordwainer Smith, Terry Pratchett, and Roger Zelazny, giving the organization a preservation and literary-curation role beyond its club activities.
Writing development program
NESFA Short Story Contest
The short-story contest is intended for amateur writers of science fiction and fantasy. Its emphasis is constructive analysis: submissions are reviewed by knowledgeable readers, editors, and professional writers who provide feedback intended to help entrants strengthen their craft.
Science-fiction award
Edward E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction
Known as the Skylark Award, this annual honor recognizes a person judged by NESFA members to have made a substantial contribution to science fiction while also displaying the personal qualities associated with E. E. “Doc” Smith. It recognizes contributions to the field in a broad sense rather than being limited to one medium.
Emerging-artist award
Jack Gaughan Award
The Jack Gaughan Award recognizes an emerging science-fiction artist. A panel of judges selects the recipient, and the judging history has included established figures in speculative-fiction illustration and design.
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