File 770

Mike Glyer's news of science fiction fandom

Self-Published Science Fiction Contest Update

Posted on August 7, 2021 by Mike Glyer

The submissions to the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC) have been screened for eligibility and the 300 books that have been accepted will soon be announced.

The contest, created by Hugh Howey and Duncan Swan, is modeled after Mark Lawrence’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, which just named its sixth winner in May, and has his blessing.

Duncan Swan tweeted this thread about the screening process:

(2/7)

We reviewed EVERY book's entry, researched them online and made the difficult cuts, primarily for these reasons:
– A children's book (sub YA)
– Ineligible (not SF)
– Insufficient wordcount (sub 50k)
– Published too late
– Not 1st book in series
– Not a novel
– Not Self-Pub
— Duncan Swan (@duncan_swan) August 4, 2021

(4/7)
Trying to limit our entrants to 300 meant we had to be rather stringent in how we made cuts – and it had to be easily verifiable via Amazon, the publisher, Google, etc
We had no clue what kinds of applications we'd get – so some criteria (i.e. kids books) were decided late
— Duncan Swan (@duncan_swan) August 4, 2021

(6/7)
We had to make decisions based on the information we have at hand. Given this is also the first year running the competition, there have been / will be bugs and communications issues. We will iron these out with time and experience. Until then…
— Duncan Swan (@duncan_swan) August 4, 2021

(7/7)
Please bear with us and understand that there was no malicious intent… just tough decisions and a huge demand for spots. Excited to see the winner emerge! Best of luck to all the entrants, and special thanks to all our judges for giving up their time to make this real.
— Duncan Swan (@duncan_swan) August 4, 2021

SPSFC art by Tithi Luadthong. Logos designed by Scott (@book_invasion)

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One thought on “Self-Published Science Fiction Contest Update”

Charon Dunn on August 7, 2021 at 10:01 am said:

Rhonda Wray: Raptor Wrangler made the cut! I am excited, as is my co-author.

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