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Impact – First Place Winner

Impact First Place

Hey all… The big moment has finally arrived. Impact will release tomorrow, and we’re counting down the winners! First place this year goes to Brenda Noiseux, for the story “You Can’t Rush the Kimchi:” “HOW WE RECOVER memory constitutes the heart of this beautiful, lyrical story. Our judges found a poignancy in the search for something from a missing childhood and the incredible relief of recovering that kind of memory. The author’s depiction of this recovery is warm, sensory-laden and striking, and the inclusion of characters of color and the connection between the queer characters and family made this story … Read more

Impact – Third Place Winner

Impact 3rd Place

Hey all… The big moment has finally arrived. Impact will release in just three days, and we’re counting down the winners! Third place this year goes to Amir Lane, for the story “Indestructible:” “OUR JUDGES WERE STRUCK by the imagery in this story, and the utiliza‐tion of that imagery to convey a powerful message. While the use of theme was a literal collision, the type and meaning of impact in this case was unique, and the dark superhero protagonist was one that spoke clearly to the judges. They wanted more of this story.” Congrats, Amir – well deserved! Preorder now: … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Second Three Judge’s Picks for “Impact”

Judge's Pick

It’s time to announce the second three of our Judge’s Picks (well, technically the two Judges’ pics and one Director’s pick) – stories that did not win the contest, but that at least one of our judges (or I) absolutely loved. For our picks, feel free to use the badge above. :) Misfortune by A.M. Leibowitz Judge: Angel Martinez “Given a theme that lends itself to disaster, the stories that opted for a humorous, lighthearted take on Impact stood out for me. This one gives us a complete world where household mishaps are likely to be magical and real trolls … Read more

COVER REVEAL/GIVEAWAY: Impact Flash Fiction Anthology

Impact

Queer Sci Fi is releasing its fourth flash fiction anthology: Impact. We have the cover reveal here today! IM * PACT (noun) 1) One object colliding with another 2) An impinging of something upon something else 3) An influence or effect on something or someone 4) The force of a new idea, concept, technology or ideology Four definitions to inspire writers around the world, and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell, but only 110 made the final cut. A difficult choice to be made. An object hurtling recklessly through space. A new invention that will change the world. … Read more

Impact is Coming!

Impact - Pixabay

Hey all, It’s time to announce the stories chosen for the Impact flash fiction anthology. There was stiff competition this year – 182 stories submitted, 110 chosen – we wanted to thank everyone who submitted, regardless of whether or not you’re in the anthology. I also wanted to thank the judges – Angel Martinez, SR Jones, Siri Paulsen, Ben Brock and Carole Cummings – for an amazing job winnowing down the stories to choose three winners. In the next week or so, we’ll announce the honorable mentions, then a little while after that, the Judges’ Picks. The winners themselves will … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Impact Story Ideas

Impact

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer J. Scott Coatsworth: It’s just two weeks until the official start of the 2018 Queer Sci Fi flash fiction contest. This year’s theme is “impact”, so I thought we’d have a little fun and brainstorm ways “Impact” could be used in a story. Go! Note that all ideas posted here are free game for folks to use without compensation/recognition. Join the chat

QSF Seminar: How to Write Good Flash Fiction

How to Write Good Flash Fiction

FOR WRITERS AND WANNA-BE WRITERS In about a month and a half, we will launch our fifth QSF flash fiction contest. The theme this year? “Impact.” We thought we’d kick it off with a seminar for folks considering writing a story for this or any other flash fiction contest or collection. We’ve invited past winners: Jenn Burke Aidee Ladnier Carole Cummings Siri Paulson Jerome Stueart Cari Zee Alicia Nordwell Clare London And the judges: Angel Martinez Ben Brock J. Scott Coatsworth We’ll do a roundtable discussion first, and then open the floor for questions. Join the chat

Announcing the Winners for “Renewal”!

Renewal Fireworks

  It’s “Renewal” release day, and time to announce the winners of the 2017 QSF Flash Fiction contest for Renewal! The Winners ***Third Place, Siri Paulson, Urban Renewal **Second Place, S R Jones, In a Bind * drumroll * *First Place, Steve Fuson, Mating Season Congrats to our winners – the stories were amazing this year. The Judges I want to thank our amazing judges: Angel Martinez Ben Brock Jerome Stueart Clare London The Publisher and the Artists I also want to thank Freddy MacKay at Mischief Corner Books for the amazing coordination and formatting. And the artists, Gus Li, … Read more

FOR WRITERS: I’ll Show You Mine

Renewal

Some of you may have heard that we’re running a little flash fiction contest. The theme this year is “Renewal”, and some folks have had a hard time wrapping their minds around it and figuring out how to construct a flash fiction story from it. Angel had a great idea – to invite the folks who aren’t eligible to enter – Scott, the judges, and MCB – to write their own stories as samples. Here’s Scott’s – the other folks are encouraged to add their own to the FB thread, and we’ll post them on the site too. :) The … Read more