By Callie Robertson

Posted on May 4, 2022 in Competition, Science Fiction with tags

Calling all budding science fiction writers! To celebrate the Science Museum’s Science Fiction exhibition opening in October we’re joining forces to launch an exciting new writing prize.

From Arthur C. Clarke to Octavia Butler, from Star Wars to Dune, science fiction creators have long imagined and built new worlds to better understand our own.

This summer we’re championing science fiction writers and hope to uncover exciting new talent across the country as we open submissions on 4 June for the inaugural Science Fiction Debuts Prize.

THE PRIZE

First place

• £4,000
• A full critique of your work
• A six-month-long mentoring programme with Hodderscape Editorial Director Molly Powell
• An introduction to three literary agents

Runner up

• £2,000
• A full critique of your work submitted

The rest of the shortlist will receive a cash prize of £800, and feedback from the judging panel.

HOW TO ENTER

• Writers will be able to submit their entries via a landing page which will open on 4 June 2022 and close at midnight on 30 September 2022. Check back in June to find out more!
• Applicants will be able to submit entries of 10,000 words consisting of the opening of a novel that fits into the science fiction genre and a 500-word synopsis
• Writers must be unpublished and not represented by a literary agent, and residents of the United Kingdom
• A shortlist will be announced at the Science Museum’s Lates on 26 October 2022, and the winner will be selected in January 2023 by a panel of well-known SF authors and industry figures.
• Full legal terms and conditions will be available to view on the submission form, releasing 4 June 2022.

Plus, our friends at the Science Museum are offering 20% off tickets to the exhibition. Quote HODDERSCAPE when booking tickets for 6 – 21 October. Book tickets here!