 
In my brief time here, I've come to really enjoy writing.com: the people, the stories, the contests, and the kind reviewers. However, I have really been missing out on some good short science fiction and an incentive to get involved with a community of writers who also enjoy it. To the end of inspiring both, I've decided to host a Science Fiction Short Story Contest.
The rules are simple:
Write a short story inspired by the prompt that is of less than 2000 words.
I will pay 15,000 (updated) Gift Points for the best submissions and an awardicon (as per recent request - I'm open to discussion about adjusting the prize).
Post in the forum with BITEM only (check out "Newbie Hyperlinking 101 - Bitem Format"  [E]).
I will judge entries starting on the 1st of each month, and provide (hopefully) thoughtful reviews for all submissions.
May the best sentient being win!
Contest Re-opening for the New Year!
"William, are you quite sure you want to investigate the Arkunians? They're rather unlikely to be interested in our little island, and if they are - well..."
The handsome middle-aged man leaned back into his chair, face unmoved as he sipped his tea. "This isn't my first rodeo, my friend. It's exactly because we can't afford Arkun coming down on our heads that this has to be handled delicately. That's why you need me."
William lowered a spoon into his tea stirring in just a hint of sugar and then paused. "That's also why I need your help. Once you made a microbot that deposited cholesterol on a man's arteries, slowly, over a period of months, and then disassembled itself as soon as the fellow was sufficiently unhealthy, almost impossible to distinguish. The minister of Adom had a heart attack after walking up a flight of stairs, and none was the wiser. To take on Arkun, I'm going to need your best."
"William! You can't be talking of assassination at this stage."
The chestnut-haired spy shook his head. "I wouldn't dream of something so premature. But from surveillance to, ahem, self-defense, you're spycraft's gold standard. Quellik, show me what you've got."
"Well, if you insist..."
Spycraft Edition!
From Polonium in Alexander Litvinenko's tea to Georgi Markov falling to the poisoned tip of an umbrella, Cold War assassination technology was very real and very frightening - and spawned a wonderful array of science fiction. Popularized by John F. Kennedy's interest in the writings of one Ian Fleming and the subsequent array of Bond films, spy tech literature has taken on a life of its own, making its way into everything from Space Opera series such as the Honor Harrington books to the Avengers TV series to a recent homage from Dr. Who. But with a bit of a futurist bent, the genre is capable of so much more! Show us your stuff in this month's Science Fiction Short Story Contest: any good short story with a strong element of spycraft tech (surveillance, assassination, political persuasion, etc.) will do!
As an extra, the Science Fiction Short Story Contest is participating in Schnujo's Contest Challenge this month. If you have a moment, go ahead and take a gander, and consider jumping in:
January Entries
December Winner:
December Entries:
"Holiday" [E]
"In Plain Sight" [13+]
Judging ▼
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and good fiction means different things to different people. Therefore, it's only fair to explain what good science fiction means from the perspective of the contest.
First, science fiction is fiction, with all the elements of fiction. It should have compelling characters, who act and drive events - or witness them. In speculative fiction, the characters may be human beings, animals, robots, civilizations, or entire worlds. Characters provide perspective and connect written events to our own feelings and experiences. Good fiction uses real and expressive characters to connect speculative ideas to us, the readers.
Characters in a story experience change. They do not exit a work as they begin. Sometimes that change is a struggle, and sometimes a moment of beauty. In science fiction, the agents that cause this change are those we experience daily - but also forces too strange or too large for us to encounter in our own lives. Science fiction is speculative fiction, the story of how a new technology or circumstance that is actually possible might play out in our own lives if let in. Sometimes, science fiction incorporates elements of the fantastic, but the best science fiction does not. It does not cheat but tells us what might be possible somewhere, somewhen, that might move us, that we might learn from.
Therefore, in judging a science fiction contest, I am looking for:
1. Expressive and readable writing, with passable grammar.
2. A plot. There should be a progression or conflict that is resolved within the length of the story. Ambiguous or implied resolutions may work but should be considered a risk.
3. Meaningful characters. It is through empathy with groups or individuals that we are connected to ideas in speculative fiction, and it's through seeing their effect on people that we best understand them.
4. An interesting speculative premise - time travel, new technology, aliens, new physics, robots, AI, genetic engineering, monsters, etc.
5. An interesting setting
6. Science. In science fiction, it's best if the speculative premise is actually possible, and even better if there is some scientific support for the possibility
That said, many of the stories I've enjoyed the most or learned the most from have been surprises. I've enjoyed the contest entries so far, and am looking forward to great things to come!
Donations:
48K GPs: Jeffhans   -- Thanks for your support!
10K GPs + banner sponsorship: eyestar~thanks anon!  -- Thanks so much for the support and for linking me up with A E Willcox  . The banner is awesome!
50K GPs - Sum1  -- Thank you to a sci-fi fan!
385K GPs - Anonymous. Thanks so much for supporting the contest!
50K GPS - Bobturn  Thank you so much for supporting the continuation of the contest!
50K GPS - D. Reed Whittaker Thanks so much for your donation!
10K GPS - Kellie Burke  Thanks for your support!
15K+ GPS - brokenpen Thanks so much!
(Current Sci-FI Contest account: ~500K, so good for some time - will consider upping the prize next month)
Contest Archives ▼
November Winner
November Entries
" Q and A" [ E]
" Talking Turkey" [ 13+]
October Winner:
A truly chilling winner:
An exceptionally haunting runner-up:
| |  | Harvest (18+)
Ignorance is bliss for farmers on a remote base controlled by the mysterious Keepers.
#2202762 by BrokenPen |
October Entries (Halloween Edition):
" Invalid Item"
" Harvest" [ 18+]
" Proxy" [ 18+]
" Invalid Item"
September Winner!
I normally list runners-up, but I'd have to list almost everyone this time. Thank you for a really enjoyable round of entries. I recommend passers-by check them all out.
September Entries (First Encounters):
"Intervention" [13+]
"The Fourth Child" [E]
"Signs of Intelligence" [13+]
"First Contact" [13+]
"Grandpa's First Contact" [E]
August Winner!
August Entries
"Evolution" [E]
"Imaginary planetary ride" [E]
"The Return" [E]
July Winner!
For its depiction of the interplay of the appearance of "care" with callousness:
| | The Alien (GC)
Greg is terrified and trying to escape to a safer planet, but can he make it out alive?
#2196318 by MjoShmo |
Runners up:
A truly creative and descriptive peace about night and day in a strange world:
He may have run into her car, but when science and magic meet, he'll never know what hit him:
July Entries:
"Kiss It Off" [18+]
"A Day In The Life" [13+]
"Invalid Item"
"The Alien" [GC]
"When Two Worlds Clashed" [E]
"Planet Redd Z" [E]
June Entry:
Since there's only one entry, there's no contest per se., but enjoy the read!
May Winner!
May Entries:
"Repelling The Invaders" [13+]
"When The Inevitable Happens" [13+]
"A Mind for Sale" [18+]
"Last Shot" [13+]
April Winner:
This entry in the contest made time travel new again:
A strong runner-up illustrating the peril of a reckless mind:
April Entries:
"Shortcut to the Stars" [13+]
"Invalid Item"
"Foresight" [13+]
March Winner:
Congratulations to this exciting and imaginitive piece!
March Entries:
"The Spiter War" [13+]
"Invalid Item"
For reference:
"Samantha" [ASR]
February Winner!
Runner-up:
February Entries (Judging in progress)
"Honor among thieves" [18+]
"Invalid Item"
"When Ends Meet" [13+]
"Space Wolves" [18+]
"The Star Rovers: Cutting it Close" [E]
January Winner!
| | Ship Of Fate (E)
Abel couldn't get rid of his latest designed spaceship fast enough.
#2181113 by Bobturn |
January Entries
"The Space Station: Sparta" [E]
"Ship Of Fate" [E]
December Winner!
This imaginative and detailed hard sci-fi piece was cold and yet creepy:
This runner-up was even more colorful and dark as December:
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2178406 by Not Available. |
December Entries:
"Ghost in the Machine" [18+]
"Invalid Item"
"Invalid Item"
November Winners:
Judging was especially difficult this month, and I'm left with the feeling I've left some really good writing under-rewarded. Still, I've awarded two winners this time around:
For its evocative concept and juxtaposition of emotions:
For its lovely humanization of the Robots:
With a strong Runner-Up:
November Entries:
"Robotics and the Future" [E]
"The Unfamiliar" [13+]
"I, Man" [18+]
"A Death in the House" [13+]
"Franklin" [E]
"Invalid Item"
"The Gamble" [E]
"Henry the Eighth." [18+]
I can't enter my own contest, but if you want to see an example of where my own mind went, you can have a gander:
October Winner:
All three entries were very good, and the judging was difficult, but in the end, I found this combination of fantasy, science fiction, and story-telling edged out the win:
October Entries:
"Invalid Item"
"The Carbon Farmer" [E]
"The Days Of Future Past" [13+]
September Winners!
With its clever dialogue, original concept, and fun and quirky style, Genipher's entry took the contest:
Runners-up:
This rather Whovian piece captures my imagination:
"Invalid Item"
Even in the far future, there are strange creatures and unexplored frontiers:
"The World of Regan" [E]
September Entries:
"Invalid Item"
"The Takeover" [13+]
"The World of Regan" [E]
"Invalid Item"
"Invalid Item"
"The Interpreter " [18+]
August Winners:
Lovely and campy, this was just what the prompt asked for:
A wonderful story about growing up and moving beyond makes a good runner-up:
August Entries:
"Magic Beyond the Mountain" [13+]
"Invalid Item"
"The Future is Closer Than You Think" [13+]
"Man’s Last Hope" [13+]
July Winner(s) 2018
Strange at first read, this one won me over with its creativity and feel:
Runners Up:
Leave something behind?
Or perhaps, nothing at all?
July Entries 2018:
"The final frontier" [ASR]
"The Capella Star System Run " [18+]
"A Stitch In Time" [13+]
"Mystery From the Past" [E]
"Test Run" [13+]
June Entry and Winner 2018:
| | Survival (13+)
A spaceship's mission to a distant world threaten's the crew's survival
#2160722 by BrokenPen |
May Winner 2018:
These seem to be getting harder and harder to judge, but this entry spoke to me, especially the ending:
Runners Up:
This had a lively tone and feel:
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2158262 by Not Available. |
This rather disturbing partnership is surely memorable:
And this shouldn't be missed, by virtue of sheer cuteness if nothing else:
May Entries:
"Substitute Teacher" [E]
"Invalid Item"
"Lize" [E]
"Invalid Item"
"The Implant" [E]
"Robotic Love " [E]
"The Homemaker's Helper" [18+]
April Winner 2018
There were some dark, powerful entries this month, but this gritty and coherent piece took the prize:
| | Matilda (18+)
Scavenging the wasteland, Max and Spell stumble into the territory of a fearsome cult.
#2155953 by James Heyward |
April Entries
"The Hill" [E]
"The Threat" [13+]
"Matilda" [18+]
March Winner 2018
As usual, judging was difficult, and all three entries were clever, creative, and well-written. Still, this piece edged out the win:
March Entries
"Invalid Item"
"Invalid Item"
"Man's Best Friend" [13+]
February Winner 2018
Thanks for all the entries. All were excellent, making this a tough choice to make. Still, this story won me over with its roguish charm:
Runners Up:
This one is too fun to miss:
And another well-deserved example of comeuppance: | | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2148593 by Not Available. |
February Entries:
"The Transnian Contract" [13+]
"The finest little ship in the cluster" [13+]
"Invalid Item"
"Invalid Item"
"One Man's Junk" [13+]
"Invalid Item"
January winner 2018:
While both entries were evocative, this piece on time travel edged out the win:
January Entries:
"Invalid Item"
"Déjà Vu" [13+]
December Winner 2017:
All entries were a joy to read. However, I don't want to burn through those GPs too quickly! In recognition of its excellent use of the prompt, solid writing, and compelling setting, I'm going to award the December prize to:
"Invalid Item"
Honorable Mentions:
Most comedic: "Dear Diary" [E]
Great plot, setting, and use of prompt: "Captain Blainst's Decision" [E]
December Entries:
"Invalid Item"
"Dear Diary" [E]
"The Mysterious Planet" [E]
"Captain Blainst's Decision" [E]
November Winner 2017:
This was a difficult decision, as I had to choose among craft, emotional impact, and a number of other factors. However, in the end, I chose this entry because of its timely nature and how it touched me:
"Grief" [E]
Despite the difficulty of judging among the creative pieces offered, all of which were a pleasure to read, these were my favorites among the runners-up:
"The Junkyard" [E]
"Android" [13+]
November Entries:
"The Junkyard" [E]
"Grief" [E]
"Through her eyes" [ASR]
"Take Pride in Yourself" [13+]
"Android" [13+]
"Portal Team 9: New World" [13+]
"Skinless Aliens" [18+]
|
Log in to Leave Feedback
Awards
Badges
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Auto-Reward Items
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
