2015 Baen Memorial Award Finalists

Baen_award2Baen Books has announced the ten finalists for the 2015 Jim Baen Memorial Award, a short story contest held each year for of all levels of experience.

  • Robert Dawson
  • John Eckelkamp
  • Stuart Hardwick
  • Jamie Lackey
  • Marina Nelson Lostetter
  • Stanley Love
  • Karen Birkedahl Rylander
  • Angus McIntyre
  • Shawn Scarber
  • Martin L. Shoemaker

Entries are judged on whether they demonstrate the positive aspects of space exploration and discovery.

The winner will be announced May 25 at the annual International Space Development Conference in Toronto.

“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, Baen Books founder,” said William Ledbetter, contest administrator. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the winner to meets scientists and space advocates from around the world.”

The full press release follows the jump.

Top Ten Finalists Announced for Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award

Annual Contest Seeks Stories Set in a Positive Future of Space Exploration

Baen Books has announced the top ten finalists for the 2015 The Jim Baen Memorial Award, a short story contest held each year for of all levels of experience. The ultimate winner will be announced May 25, 2015 at a presentation ceremony held at the annual International Space Development Conference to be held this year in Toronto.

“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, Baen Books founder,” said William Ledbetter, contest administrator. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the winner to meets scientists and space advocates from around the world.”

The contest occurs annually and looks for stories that demonstrate the positive aspects of space exploration and discovery. Over the years, the contest has developed an international character. In addition to the United States, entrants have hailed from Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Algeria, Spain, and Morocco.

“Moon bases, Mars colonies, orbital habitats, space elevators, asteroid mining, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, realistic spacecraft, heroics, sacrifice, adventure—that’s what we’re looking for,” said Ledbetter. “And once again we believe we’ve found ten writers, and an ultimate winner, who deliver just that.”

The top ten Jim Baen Memorial Award finalists (in alphabetical order) are:

Robert Dawson

John Eckelkam

Stuart Hardwick

Jamie Lackey

Marina Nelson Lostetter

Stanley Love

Karen Birkedahl Rylander

Angus McIntyre

Shawn Scarber

Martin L. Shoemaker