Annual Contest Seeks Stories Set in a Positive Future of Space Exploration
Aimee Ogden of Madison, Wisconsin has won the grand prize in the 2016 Jim Baen Memorial Award competition for her short story "Dear Ammi." The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest has been held annually since 2007 and is open to all levels of experience. The contest is focused on stories of space exploration and discovery, with an optimistic spin on those activities for the human race. First runner up in this year's contest is "To Lose the Stars" by Jennifer Brozek of Bothell, Washington, and the second runner up is "Cylinders" by Ronald D. Ferguson from San Antonio, Texas.
Judges for the award were the editors of Baen Books and special guest judge author David Drake. Stories were judged anonymously. The Jim Baen Memorial Award will be presented at a ceremony during the annual International Space Development Conference held May 18-22, 2016 in Puerto Rico. The winner receives a trophy and her story will be published June 2016 at the Baen.com web site, where new fiction is featured each month.
"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. "We believe—and strive to show with these imaginative stories—that humanity has a bright and exciting future beyond the bounds of Earth. We want to see Moon bases, Mars colonies, orbital habitats, space elevators, asteroid mining, realistic spacecraft, heroics, sacrifice, and adventure. This year’s winning stories deliver just that."
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, Switzerland, France, New Zealand, Canada, Algeria, Spain, and Morocco.
For more information email info@baen.com, or call 1-800-488-2236.
* * * * * *
www.baen.com