Literature Donations

AboutSF works to match donors with places that cater to young people, the future generation of science fiction readers. You can donate or receive books and magazine subscriptions.

Suggest the following as a recipient if you would like to see them get books and magazines:

• A school librarian.
• A public librarian.
• A youth center director or volunteer.
• Your local school library or other youth organization.
• An individual 17 or younger who would like a free SF novel or magazine subscription.

In short, nominate an individual or an organization that works with kids to receive books and magazines if you see a need. For example, if your library doesn't carry Asimov's, they ought to!

We list the city and state of institutions requesting donations, as well as the name of the institution, so donors can opt to select where they prefer to give. Also, we will list individual young people by their general information ONLY, so donors can select to give (for example) an ANALOG subscription to a 14-year-old boy in Iowa.

Join our cause as a donor if you are:

• A science fiction reader with a heart.
• A publisher who wants to help build future readers, who needs to clear out old inventory rather than destroy it, or who's looking for a tax break.
• A writer who wants to give your books to young people to encourage readership not only of SF but also of your work.
• Someone who cares about the future of our genre.
• Someone who believes SF readers shape the future, and you want a hand in that.
• Looking for a way to give to your community.

Spread the word to your local library and school, and post this information where young people can see it. Also, be sure that your donated books are age-appropriate -- it's a good idea to specify what age groups should get which books.

In the meantime, go out and do it yourself! Donate books and magazine subscriptions to schools, libraries, public facilities that cater to young people, and so on. You can make a difference!

It is not enough for genre enthusiasts to subscribe to SF magazines and buy new SF books: Without the influx of new readers (young people), the genre's readership will continue to age, and the genre will lose its vitality, the very essence of what makes SF great. We'll also hear fewer and fewer new voices, authors and critics. If you care about SF, do your part by getting SF books and magazines into libraries and into the hands of young people.