2018 Roswell Award Contest Taking Entries

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Mike Glyer

The 2018 Roswell Award for short science fiction by adults (18+) is accepting entries through January 29, 2018.

The Roswell Award was created in 2014 to identify, encourage and promote up-and-coming science fiction writing talent among adults worldwide. Last year’s winner was Richard Larson’s story “Fifteen Minutes Hate”.

Entries must be original science fiction short stories no longer than 1500 words, by a writer over the age of 18.

Sci-Fest L.A. and Light Bringer Project seek to identify and nurture new science fiction writing talent in all corners of the globe. Science fiction writing provides a unique opportunity for writers to develop the ideas and narratives that will shape the future of humanity from how we address pressing scientific, social, philosophical, and environmental issues to inspiring us to develop new technologies and explore outer space. And of course we’re excited to see stories that entertain. We are proud to be taking a leadership role in developing the next generation of science fiction writers.

Four to six finalists will be chosen and their stories read dramatically by celebrity guests in a special performance at LitFest Pasadena on Saturday, May 19, 2018 followed by an awards presentation.

First, second, and third place winners will be chosen from the finalists. Special prizes will also be presented by partnering organizations.

First Place: $500 USD
Second Place: $250 USD
Third Place: $100 USD
Special Prize — The “Women Hold Up Half the Sky Award” presented by Artemis Journal and the Hollywood Chapter of the National Organization for Women (Hollywood NOW): Special publication in Artemis Journal and on the Hollywood NOW site and $100 USD.

[The “Women Hold Up Half the Sky Award”] recognizes a science fiction story that embraces feminist themes and has a strong female protagonist. Top entries will exemplify excellence in feminist storytelling, while capturing the complexities of their characters.

Applicants who wish to be considered for the Women Hold Up Half the Sky Award must indicate this on their cover page / their submission email. Stories submitted for this award will be considered for other prizes if they are not a Women Hold Up Half the Sky winner. Stories are eligible for only one prize.

Rules and submission guidelines are on the The Lightbringer Project’s Tomorrow Prize/Roswell Award information page.

Larson Wins 2017 Roswell Award

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Mike Glyer

Richard Larson’s story “Fifteen Minutes Hate” is the winner of the 2017 Roswell Award.

Sci-Fest L.A. partners with LitFest Pasadena in giving the Roswell Award for short science fiction by adults.

https://twitter.com/kellyoyo/status/866099645113671680

2017 Roswell Prize Finalists

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Mike Glyer

On May 20, Sci-Fest L.A. will partner with LitFest Pasadena for dramatic readings of the finalists’ stories for The Roswell Award for short science fiction by adults. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Playhouse. Admission is free, but seating is limited.

FINALISTS

Mel Gurney, “I’ll Have What He’s Having”
Liz Hufford, “Trash Landed”
Richard Larson, “Fifteen Minutes Hate”
Neil Stevens, “Midgley Avenged”

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Jaap Boekestein, Clio Davis, Madeleine McDonald, M. A. Nicholson, Peter-Paul Ndyani.

2017 Roswell Award Contest Taking Entries

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Mike Glyer

Entries for The Roswell Award, sponsored by Sci-Fest LA, are being taken through March 3, 2017.

The Roswell Award was created to identify, encourage and promote up-and-coming science fiction writing talent among adults worldwide.

Entries must be original science fiction short stories (not plays), no longer than 1500 words, by a writer over the age of 18. The author of the winning entry will receive a cash prize of $500.

Sci-Fest L.A. and Light Bringer Project seek to identify and nurture new science fiction writing talent in all corners of the globe. Science fiction writing provides a unique opportunity for writers to develop the ideas and narratives that will shape the future of humanity from how we address pressing scientific, social, philosophical, and environmental issues to inspiring us to develop new technologies and explore outer space. And of course we’re excited to see stories that entertain. We are proud to be taking a leadership role in developing the next generation of science fiction writers.

Five finalists will have their stories read dramatically by celebrity guests in a special performance at LitFest Pasadena on Saturday, May 20, followed by an awards presentation. One winner will be chosen from the finalists.

Rules and submission guidelines are available at the event’s Facebook page.

2016 Roswell Award

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Mike Glyer

Liam Hogan’s short story “Tribbulations” is the 2016 Roswell Award winner. The author will receive a cash prize of $1,000.00.

Liam Hogan

Hogan is a London based writer and host of the monthly literary event Liars’ League. He was the winner of Quantum Shorts 2015. He was also a finalist for the 2015 Roswell Award, and has had work published by DailyScienceFiction and in Sci-Phi Journal.

All finalists in the short story contest were read aloud at Sci-Fest LA during the award ceremony on Sunday, May 22, 2016. Hogan’s story was read by Philip Anthony-Rodriguez, an actor whose genre work includes Star Trek: Enterprise, Grimm, Star Wars Rebels, and a lot of video games.

Among the other readers were Carlease Burke and Dee Wallace.

The judges for the award are Nicholas Meyer (screenwriter for The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, and director of three Star Trek movies), Jordan Roberts (writer and director of Around the Bend), Mike Werb (writer of The Mask, Face/Off and Lara Croft, Tomb Raider), Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides (co-creator of Yuri’s Night, The World Space Party), and Maryelizabeth Yturralde (co-founder of Mysterious Galaxy bookstore).

2016 Roswell Prize Shortlist

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Mike Glyer

The finalists for the Roswell Award short story writing contest for adults will have their stories read aloud at Sci-Fest during an awards ceremony on Sunday, May 22, 2016.

The finalists are:

“Constant Change” by Diana M.
“In the hammock of his ribs” by Tom Aschmann
“First Encounter” by Larry Herbst
“Humans ‘N’ Hot Dogs” by Melissa Yuan-Innes
“Tribbulations” by Liam Hogan
“Savepoint” by Tom O’Brien

The author of the winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,000.00. Complete details here.

2016 Roswell Award Entry Deadline Is January 15

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Mike Glyer

Entries for The Roswell Award, sponsored by Sci-Fest LA, The Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival, are being taken through January 15, 2016.

The Roswell Award was created to identify, encourage and promote up-and-coming science fiction writing talent, and is given to the winner of Sci-Fest’s short story writing contest for adults. The author of the winning entry will receive a cash prize of $1,000.00.

Entries must be original science fiction short stories (not plays), no longer than 1500 words, by a writer over the age of 18.

Five finalists will have their stories read aloud “by sci-fi celebs” at Sci-Fest during an awards ceremony in May 2016, then posted on the Sci-Fest LA website. Finalists will receive two tickets to attend a Sci-Fest LA play festival evening.

Full details at the website.

HOLIDAY PARTY: Sci-Fest LA also says all are welcome to join them at their holiday party on December 7 at Amalfi (LaBrea near 1st Street, next door to the Acme Theatre.) Cash bar. Starts at 7 p.m.

Entries Accepted for The 2016 Roswell Award

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Mike Glyer

Sci-Fest LA, The Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival, is accepting submissions for The Roswell Award through January 15, 2016.

Entries must be original science fiction short stories (not plays), no longer than 1500 words, and written by an adult over the age of 18.

Five finalists will have their stories read aloud at Sci-Fest during an awards ceremony in May 2016, then posted on the Sci-Fest LA website. Finalists will receive two tickets to attend a Sci-Fest LA play festival evening.

Complete details here.

Hawkins Wins Roswell Award

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Mike Glyer

William Hawkins’ story “Grandma’s Sex Robot” has won the Roswell Award short story writing contest for adults hosted by Sci-Fest LA. The author will receive a cash prize of $1,000.00.

Hawkins lives in Irvine, CA, where he currently pursues an MFA in creative writing. He’s been published in the Blue Lyra Review and Country Roads Magazine, among others.

There was a public reading of the finalists at the ceremony on May 25. Gates McFadden read Hawkins’ entry.

Local pros John DeChancie and Steven Barnes were introduced from the audience.

Roswell Award Ceremony 5/25

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Mike Glyer

Jasika Nicole (Scandal & Fringe), Simon Kassianides (Agents of SHIELD), Claudia Black (StarGate SG1), Armin Shimerman (Deep Space Nine), Gates McFadden (Star Trek: The Next Generation), David Blue (Stargate Universe).

The finalists for the Roswell Award short story writing contest for adults will have their stories read aloud at Sci-Fest during an awards ceremony on Sunday, May 25, 2015.

The readers will be Claudia Black (“Stargate”), David Blue (“Star Gate”), Simon Kassianides (“Agents of Shield”), Gates McFadden (“Star Trek: TNG”), Jasika Nicole (“Fringe”) and Armin Shimerman (“Deep Space Nine”).

The finalists are “Grandma’s Sex Robot” by William Hawkins, “Saving Seeds” by Donna Glee Williams, “Cardiopulmonary Arrest” by Melissa Yuan-Innes, “RN2399 / 2037” by Liam Hogan, “Inside” by T. Lucas Earle and “Heaven Scent” by John McCollum.

Honorable mentions are “Robbie Is Not a Robot Name” by Catherine W. Cheresh and “Dead Lanes” by John Paul Davies.

The judges are Jack Kenny (Executive producer, Warehouse 13, Falling Skies), Jordan Roberts (Screenwriter, Big Hero 6), and Mike Werb (Screenwriter, Face Off, The Mask)