Jim Baen's Universe

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James Patrick Baen Memorial Writing Contest

Written by William Ledbetter

Announcing the James Patrick Baen Memorial Writing Contest

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 Jim Baen's Universe magazine applaud the role that science fiction plays in advancing real science and have teamed up to sponsor this short fiction contest in memory of James Patrick 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 in a positive, exciting and hopeful way.
• 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. Submit via email to: isdc.jbu.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.
• Send manuscript entries as .rtf attachments.
• The title of the work, the author's name, address and telephone number, and an approximate word-count must be in the body of the email.
• The RTF file for each entry must: 
• Have a cover page with the title of the work, the author's name, address and telephone number, and an approximate word-count. 
• The manuscript should be in standard manuscript format and should be titled and numbered on every page,.
• The author's name MUST NOT APPEAR except on the cover page to facilitate fair judging.

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 where everyone dies, stories that show technology or space travel as evil or bad, dystopias, Star Wars type galactic empires, UFO abductions.

JUDGES:

Semi-final judging will be by Jim Baen's Universe editorial staff.

Final judging will be by the Publisher at Baen Books, Toni Weisskopf 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 free entry into the 2007 International Space Development Conference, an autographed copy of The Best of Jim Baen's Universe, a totebag and coffee mug.
• SECOND and THIRD place winners will receive a year's membership in the National Space Society ($45 level), an autographed copy of The Best of Jim Baen's Universe, a Jim Baen's Universe totebag and coffee mug.
• Winners will be announced and notified no later than May 9, 2007. (only the winners will be notified) The winners will be honored at the 2007 International Space Development Conference Gala Awards Dinner, in Dallas TX, on May 22, 2007. (though we would prefer the winner attend this Gala, it is not required.)
• Deadline is April 9, 2007.

( * 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. )