Writing Contest
This contest provides a forum for new talent of any age and gives them a chance to learn about the publication process and its requirements. The submission requirements are not negotiable, nor should this contest be used as a required class exercise by teachers. Teachers, please encourage your students to enter our contest but don’t make it a homework assignment. Entries must be science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural, and alternate history in short fiction, poetry, or comics.
All entries remain the intellectual property of the writers, although by entering this contest the writer gives GPS limited rights to share a winning entry.
2020 Contest entries accepted starting January 1, 2020
Prizes
- The winner of each Youth Division will receive a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate, with a second $50 gift certificate being awarded to the winner’s school.
- The Poetry Division winner will receive a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.
- The general winner of the Open Division will receive a $75 Amazon.com gift certificate. The Scott Imes Award winner will receive a $100 gift certificate from Uncle Hugo’s.
- The Graphic Novel (Comics) Division winner will receive a $50 Amazon.com gift certificate.
Dates to keep in mind
We will start accepting entries for the 2020 contest on January 1, 2020.
The deadline for entries to be emailed as attachments to writingcontest @ geekpartnership.org is by 11:59 pm CDT on May 1, 2020.
Winners will be notified by the end of June, and publicly announced at the Opening Ceremony of CONvergence in August, 2020.
Winning entries will be shared on the this webpage by the end of September.
Divisions
Please select a division to enter. You may only enter one short fiction division. You have the option to also enter a poem in the Poetry Division and/or a short comics in the Graphic Novel (Comics) Division.
- Open: Short fiction only. Open to writers of any age. There will be TWO (2) winners chosen from this category. The Open Division winner will be chosen from all entries.
- An additional local writer will be chosen from contestants residing within 200 miles of Geek Partnership Society to receive the Scott Imes Award. This award proudly honors Scott Imes, a major force in the Twin Cities’ science fiction reading and writing community who passed away in December 2001. For over two decades, Scott Imes worked at Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore and promoted the speculative fiction genres. His recommendations served those far beyond its doors.
- Poetry: Poems only. Open to writers of any age.
- Youth 1: Short fiction only. Open to writers 13 years of age or younger as of May 1, 2020.
- Youth 2: Short fiction only. Open to writers 14-16 years of age as of May 1, 2020.
- Graphic Novel (Comics): Short comics only. Open to writers of any age.
Judging
Two or more qualified writers or editors will evaluate each submission. All works will be screened to ensure they meet the contest rules and submission requirements stated above. The judges will NOT read any entries that do not meet these guidelines.
Questions
If you have questions, please contact the Writing Contest Coordinator at writingcontest @ geekpartnership.org.
