The sixth annual Jim Baen Memorial Writing Contest is now open for submissions. Sponsored by Baen Books and the National Space Society (NSS), the contest is designed to promote and reward forward thinking science fiction authors who write exciting and innovative stories about the near future of manned space exploration.
The contest seeks short science fiction stories (no more than 8,000 words) that “show the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration.” There is no fee to enter, but each writer is limited to one original story. Deadline is 1 February 2012.
The grand prize winner will be published “as the featured story on the Baen Books main website and paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submittals. The author will also receive an engraved award, free entry into the 2012 International Space Development Conference, a year’s membership in the National Space Society and a prize package containing various Baen Books and National Space Society merchandise.” Second and Third place winners will receive packages of Baen and NSS goodies.
This year’s judges are Baen editors Hank Davis and Jim Minz, and Baen authors Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. The judges want to see “Moon bases, Mars colonies, orbital habitats, space elevators, asteroid mining, artificial intelligence, nano-technology, realistic spacecraft, heroics, sacrifice, adventure.” They’re not interested in “Stories that show technology or space travel as evil or bad, Star Wars type galactic empires, paranormal elements, UFO abductions.”
Full details, including submission address, are on this page.