The winner of the 2021 Salam Award for Imaginative Fiction, which recognizes emerging speculative fiction writers of Pakistani origin or residence, is “You Get What is Yours” by Dur e Aziz Amna.

The administrators said:

We are so thrilled and grateful to read new work every year that expands our understanding of what fantasy and imaginative fiction from Pakistan can be. This year was no different, and a remarkably difficult one to judge. We are amazed by the breadth of talent we encounter.

Other finalists and honorable mentions are:

FINALISTS

• “Ignition” by Khizer Abbas
• “The Calls” by Zunaira Nadeem

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• “Nameless” by Mehr-un-Nisa Waheed
• “Custody” by Mujtaba Ayub
• “We All Return to the Sea” by Mashal Faraz Shamsi

The winner receives:

• A cash prize of Rs 50,000
• Story will be published on the Salam Award website
• Review by an established literary agent for market guidance and possible representation
• An editorial review by a professional editor for critique and potential publication in a multi-award winning science fiction magazine

The award judges were Indra Das, Malka Older, and Saad Z. Hossein.

The Salam Award for Imaginative Fiction is named for Dr. Albus Salam, one of the pioneers of science in Pakistan.

[Via Locus Online.]