Official Results of 2009 National Fantasy Fan Federation Amateur Short Story Contest:
Jefferson Swycaffer – Final Judge

The winners are:

• First Place: B. Lynch Black's "Eyes on a Distant Star," a story about a trio of musicians who get caught up in something much larger than they had expected. Yet their music itself is larger still.

• Second Place: George C. Fernandez's "The Awakener's Dream," which depicts the heroic steps that might be necessary... to save us from ourselves.

• Third Place: Ken Lizzi's "Bargains," a story about a hero, a monster, and a victim—except you can't always tell which one is which!

• Honorable Mention: "The Other Side," a whimsical tale of good and evil with not only one, but two distinct "switcheroo" surprises by the end; ironic and delectably humorous.

The contest management is embarrassed to note that we do not have the name of the author of the Honorable Mention story! We crave his or her pardon—and hope he or she will contact us soon to remedy this lapse.

We received 15 submissions this year, ranging from short-short stories in the classic "surprise ending" mode, to lengthy and serious science fiction stories entailing meaningful philosophical inquiries into the nature of humanity. The quality of the writing was strong and professional, and the ideas prove, once again, that imagination is still the most powerful thing in the known universe.

The stories provide, by turns, laughs and inspiration, earnest thought, and an occasional shudder. The literature of ideas has a future, and the writers who have entered this contest—every one of them, not only the four finalists—are the living and breathing soul of that future. It is an honor not to judge among them, but to have been privileged to read them. Each and every year, my only regret is that I am not an actual anthology editor with a real budget, able to buy the first serial rights to these stories and publish them in an annual paperback, as they all earnestly deserve.

Special thanks to Jeff Redmond for serving as the contest's public face, receiving and preparing manuscripts, providing publicity, and coordinating with the N3F's secretary and treasurer.—Jefferson P. Swycaffer
Contest Rules in PDF

2010 NATIONAL FANTASY FAN FEDERATION (N3F) AMATEUR SHORT STORY CONTEST

Story Contest Rules and Entry Form

1. This contest is open to all amateur writers in the field, regardless of whether they're members of the National Fantasy Fan Federation. For the purposes of this contest, we define an amateur as someone who has sold no more than two (2) stories to professional science fiction or fantasy publications.

2. Stories entered in the contest must be original, unpublished, not longer than 8,500 words in length—and must be related to the science fiction, fantasy, or similar genres in the opinion of the judges.

3. Manuscripts should be typed, single sided on 8 1/2"-by- 11" white paper, double spaced, with pages numbered. The name of the author should not appear anywhere on the manuscript to ensure impartial judging. Photocopies are acceptable, if they are of good quality. Computer printouts must be legible. Email attachments of Word documents are also acceptable.

4. Contestants can enter any number of stories, provided that each is accompanied by a separate entry blank and fee. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) if you would like your story returned at the end of the contest. Do not send your only copy in case of accidental loss; we are not responsible for lost manuscripts. Stories will not be returned without an SASE.

5. The entry fee is $3 per story for N3F members in good standing, and $5 for non-members. The extra $2 is for printing and publicity, which will be paid for using N3F funds. The basic $3 is for judge's expenses and prizes. While N3F members are encouraged to enter the contest, members will not receive any preference in judging. Because of a long-standing agreement with the British Science Fiction Association, BSFA members can pay the same fee as N3F members.

6. Cash prizes totaling $100 will be awarded as follows: First prize is $50, second $30, and third $20. Honorable mentions and semi-finalists will receive a certificate of award.

7. Send all manuscripts, accompanied by SASEs, entry forms, and fees to the contest manager: Jefferson Swycaffer, P.O. Box 15373, San Diego, CA 92175-5373; n3f.story.contest@gmail.com. Make checks payable to William Center (N3F Treasurer). Well-concealed American cash (dollar bills) is also acceptable. All entries must be received or postmarked no later than Dec. 31, 2010.

8. The preliminary judge, who will pick the 10 or 12 semi- finalists, will be a knowledgeable member of the N3F. The final judge will be a professionally published writer.

9. The N3F assumes no publishing rights or obligations. We want to encourage professional sales, not fan publication. All entries will be returned after the contest is over, if accompanied by an SASE. Winners will be notified as soon as the judging is completed. Announcements and notifications of winning entries will be made in March 2011.

Please take your time and submit your best work. You can resubmit stories previously entered. All entries will be kept confidential and will be judged fairly and anonymously. The deadline for all entries Dec. 31, 2010. Good luck!

REQUIRED ENTRY BLANK INFORMATION
Must accompany story!

Title of Story (for identification): ___________________________________________________________
Author's Name & Address: _________________________________________________________________

Enclosed is the entry fee of $5 (N3F or BSFA member $3)
I have read the rules for the 2010 N3F Amateur Short Story Contest, and agree to them.

Signature: ______________________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Questions and submissions are to be made to:

Announcements and notifications of winning entries will be made in March of 2011.

Recommended reading is ELEMENTS OF STYLE by Strunk and White.

It is also suggested that someone else go over the entry before it is submitted.