As clarification, I was never doubting that professional writers are also avid fans. I have not yet met a science fiction writer who wasn't also a fan, and in my years as a journalist most of my peers read widely and were fans of other journalists. Dave Horsey, who has since snagged a couple of Pulitzer Prizes for his cartooning, would routinely toss editorial cartoons from other papers my way when I was layout editor of our college paper. He was a big fan of the genre and Oliphant in particular. Mystery writers also have a strong fandom thing going.

I have no problem with professional writers writing as fans about their genre. In fact, I think it's pretty neat.

Blame the ambiguity of the English language, and the vague wording of the WSFS constitution for my assuming "Fan Writer" meant a non-pro fan who writes science fiction in a non-pro medium. And the fact that the Fan Writer award clause is right near the non-pro artist award clause.

Thanks to everyone for setting me straight.