Science In My Fiction Contest

Here's a new contest from Crossed Genres, Science In My Fiction. An excerpt:

There’s been a lot of talk recently about whether science fiction is obsolete, no longer the genre of ideas, and so on. Some people have claimed that there is no need to educate yourself in science in order to write science fiction.

We respectfully think that’s hooey, so we came up with the Science in My Fiction contest!

Here’s how it works: Authors write a science fiction or fantasy short story which is inspired by a scientific discovery or innovation made or announced within the past year. It can’t be peripherally added: the science must be integral to the story. Writers must include a link to a relevant article or study of the applied science when they submit their stories.

We’ll be looking for thoughtful, creative and well-researched application of science to a story. This doesn’t mean you should neglect your plot or characters, though! The best entries will be those which use science to enhance the plot, setting and characters, rather than dominate them.

First prize is US$250, second US$100, and third US$50. Deadline is June 30, 2010. The list of judges is here (of whom are writers, an agent, and a webcomic creator; I note Randall Munroe of xkcd and Cat Rambo among them :D). Click here for more details.