Thread by @sirens_con

Even thought #SirensAtHome hasn’t even started yet, it’s never too soon to talk about #Sirens21. Because while you might be gearing up to pack your bags and fly to Denver for Sirens next fall, others might not be able to. So let’s talk scholarships. #SirensAtHome #Sirens21

To make our community representative of the full breadth of amazing work in this field and to make our conversations truly intersectional, we need to make it possible for people of diverse identities, experiences, and vocations to attend Sirens. #SirensAtHome #Sirens21

We raised money and awarded scholarships for our now-postponed 2020 conference earlier this year—and those are valid for #Sirens21. But we think that the postponement gives us an opportunity to do more good, so we’re raising money for additional scholarships. #SirensAtHome

Our goal is 12 add’l scholarships: 3 for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) individuals; 3 for those submitting exemplary programming proposals in 2021; 3 for those with financial hardships; and 3 for librarians, educators, and publishing pros. #SirensAtHome #Sirens21

To fund 12 additional #Sirens21 scholarships, we need to raise $4,200 by November 30. If you’re ready to donate to our scholarship fund, thank you! Here’s the link:

sirensconference.org/scholarships

If you’d like more information, please read on. #SirensAtHome

A few years ago, we launched our Sirens scholarship program. Each year, the Sirens community raises money to fund scholarships – a Sirens registration and round-trip shuttle ticket – that make it possible for a number of people to attend. #SirensAtHome #Sirens21

These scholarships provide an economic boost that’s invaluable, of course. But these scholarships also assure their recipients that the Sirens community values their presence and perspectives – which sometimes makes it possible for people to take a leap. #SirensAtHome #Sirens21

This inclusion is meaningful. We’ll be posting perspectives from past scholarship recipients, and they’ll discuss how the financial assistance is necessary, but the demonstrable commitment to including their identity, vocation, or thoughts is everything. #SirensAtHome #Sirens21

Why doesn’t Sirens fund the scholarships? Because then we’d have to raise the price of attending Sirens for everyone. With a scholarship fund, those who can afford to give, can do so—and the Sirens registration price stays as low as possible for everyone. #SirensAtHome #Sirens21

Every year, the Sirens community shows its commitment to including more voices in Sirens by raising these funds. Whether your donation is $5 or a full scholarship of $350, you can help us make Sirens more welcoming, more representative, and more brilliant. #SirensAtHome #Sirens21

If you support a space for discussing gender and fantasy literature, and you support including people of diverse identities, experiences, and vocations in that space—and you can afford to do so—we hope you’ll donate to our #Sirens21 scholarship fund:

sirensconference.org/scholarships

Thank you!