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Since its early days, science fiction has played a unique role in human
civilization. It removes the limits of what "is" and shows us a boundless vista
of what "might be." Its fearless heroes, spectacular technologies and wondrous
futures have inspired many people to make science, technology and space flight a
real part of their lives and in doing so, have often transformed these fictions
into reality. The
National Space Society and
Baen Books applaud the role that science
fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor this short
fiction contest in memory of Jim Baen.
CONTEST RULES:
-Write a short story of no more than 8,000 words, that shows the near future (no
more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration.
-No entry fee. But please only submit one story...your best one!
-All entries must be original works in English. Plagiarism, poetry, song lyrics,
or characters from another person’s works will not be considered.
-E-mail submissions only. Send entries as .rtf attachments to: baen.nss.contest@gmail.com
-Please put the word SUBMISSION in the subject line when sending a contest entry
and QUESTION in the subject line for questions to the contest administrator.
-Please include the following in the body of your email: The title of the work,
the author's name, address and telephone number, and an approximate word-count.
The manuscript should be an RTF attachment, in standard manuscript format and
should be titled and numbered on every page, but the author's name MUST BE
DELETED to facilitate fair judging.
-Employees of Baen Books, Jim Baen's
Universe, NSS and previous Grand Prize Winner are not eligible. Previous Second and Third place winners are eligible.
-Deadline - April 1, 2009.
WHAT WE DO WANT TO SEE:
Moon bases, Mars colonies, orbital habitats, space elevators, asteroid mining,
artificial intelligence, nano-technology, realistic spacecraft, heroics,
sacrifice, adventure.
WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE:
Stories that show technology or space travel as evil or bad,
Star Wars type galactic empires, paranormal elements, UFO abductions.
JUDGES:
Judging will be by Baen Books senior editor Hank Davis and Jim Baen's
Universe editors Eric Flint and
Mike Resnick.
PRIZES:
- The GRAND PRIZE winner will be published in a future issue of
Jim Baen's
Universe* and paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submittals.
The author will also receive a specially designed award, free entry into the
2009 International Space Development Conference, a year's membership in the
National Space Society ($45 level) and a prize package containing various Baen
Books, Jim Baen's Universe and National Space Society merchandise.
- SECOND and THIRD place winners will receive a year's membership in the
National Space Society ($45 level), and a prize package containing various Baen
Books, Jim Baen's Universe and National Space Society merchandise.
- Winners will be announced and notified no later than May 5, 2009. (only the
winners will be notified) The winners will be honored at the
2009 International
Space Development Conference in
Orlando, Florida, May 28-31, 2009. (though we would prefer the winner
attend the conference, it is not required.)
( * Note: Publication details will be worked out
between winner and JBU. In the unlikely event that none of the stories qualify
for professional publication, a cash prize, of an amount determined by contest
organizers, may be substituted in lieu of publication.)
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