A press release from NESFA:
NESFA will run a science fiction/fantasy short story contest, with prizes to be awarded at Boskone 52, in February 2015. The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2014. All submissions should be made via email to storycontest@boskone.org in flat text, rich text, or any format readable by MS Word, or Open Office. The contest will be limited to the first 100 qualifying entries. We reserve the right to cancel the contest if fewer than 10 submissions are received by the deadline. The purpose of this contest is to encourage amateur writers to reach the next level of proficiency. We will look for engaging openings, good character development, well structured plotting, powerful imagery, witty or humorous language, unique word or phrasing choices, and convincing endings.
A qualifying entrant is a writer who has not had a short story, novella, or novel published in a paid, professional forum, book, magazine, etc. at the time of submission, and who has received no more than $250 for any previously published short story or other work of fiction.
To be considered, a story submission must have strong science fiction or fantasy elements and must be shorter than 7,500 words.
Judges will provide feedback for all contest entries as soon after Boskone as possible. First round judges will consist of NESFA members and volunteers. Winners will be chosen by a final panel of judges, including at least one professional writer.
The winner, runners-up and honorable mentions will be announced during the awards ceremony at Boskone 52, in NESFA’s newsletter following Boskone, and in various electronic media, including the Boskone and NESFA websites, blogs, Facebook pages, newszines, and e-zines.
Winner will receive a certificate of achievement, three NESFA Press books, and a free membership to either Boskone 52 or Boskone 53.
Runners-up will receive a certificate, and two NESFA Press books. Honorable mentions will receive a certificate and one NESFA Press book.
Winner, runners-up, and honorable mentions will be encouraged to select their books at Boskone 52 and either take them immediately or ask for them to be shipped later.
There is no entry fee. You may submit only one entry to the contest. Prize recipients may be required to sign an acceptance form for prizes won.
Stories must be original works of fiction, submitted by their authors. No reprints, fan fiction, or poetry please.
Please provide us with contact information (email, phone, and postal address). We will not use it for anything other than contacting you about this contest. Winners will be asked later for information they want to be part of any public announcement.