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RESULTS OF F&SF COMPETITION #85
"Chick Lit"
EVEN IF our readers prefer science fiction/fantasy to chick lit, it's obvious that many of them recognize the breathy, hopeful verbiage that makes chick lit so popular—and so easily parodied. Congratulations to those who know how to make "light women's fiction" funny.
Coincidentally, and through no prejudice on my part (I don't see the names until I've finished judging), all of the winners were female.
FIRST PRIZE:
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Computer HAL 9000 has fallen secretly in love with shipmate Dave. But Dave sees HAL as just another piece of hardware. When HAL catches Dave in the EVA pod with astronaut Frank, it's on girlfriend! HAL will show Dave just what a computer can do that organic material can't!
—Tara Habenicht
North Ridgeville, OH
SECOND PRIZE:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Meet Katniss Everdeen: Her mother's crazy, her boyfriend's a grump, and her world's a dystopia. When her sister is cast in Panem's top reality program, Katniss steals her spot for a chance at excitement and fame. But can she survive the game AND win over the baker's hunky son?
—Meredith Morgenstern
Brooklyn, NY
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
The Pride of Chanur by C. J. Cherryh
Good men are hard to find! Pyanfar Chanur and her starship's female crew rescue Tully, a handsome explorer, and race the galaxy to keep him away from rivals. Can she win him for herself, or will her Pride get in the way?
—Lissanne Lake
North Bergen, NJ
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Mina's nice but conventional fiancé is traveling on business…again. So when her best friend Lucy starts seeing the dark and glamorous European count who has just moved into town, will she be tempted by the night life as well? Whose heart is really at stake?
—Linda Cook
Philadelphia, PA
The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
No wise man can resist spirited Denna, who plays men as smoothly as Kvothe plays the lute. But is it Denna's independence as a working woman that makes Kvothe's magic-making hands sweat, or does he fear that all she wants is a ring?
—Jenny Grant Rankin
Laguna Beach, CA
DISHONORABLE MENTIONS:
Grumbles from the Grave by Robert Heinlein
Firefly
Simon was powerful cute and all, but I knew if I took him to my bunk, Joss would just kill us off next episode.
—Ada Hoffman
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
F&SF Competition #86: FIRST DRAFT
Those wonderful science fiction/fantasy stories that we all know and love? They're usually the result of multiple drafts, crafted and recrafted so the version the audience sees is perfect. The first draft, however, is far from fabulous.
For this competition, give me the text that you've seen in print/on film. Then give me the first draft version (no more than fifty words). If your first draft is outrageously funny, you too can win fabulous prizes. Six entries per person, max.
EXAMPLE:
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Published version: "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms…"
First draft: "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit: a dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms…"
Before you submit your competition results, double check to see that you include your mailing address. Not your email address: the actual address where your fabulous prizes, should you win them, will go.
Rules:
Send entries to Competition Editor, F&SF, 240 West 73rd St. #1201, New York, NY 10023-2794,
or
email entries to carol [a-t] cybrid [d-o-t] net.
Be sure to include your contact information. Entries must be received by July 15, 2013. Judges are the
editors of F&SF, and their decision is final. All entries become the property of F&SF.
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Prizes:
First prize will receive a first-draft manuscript by Michael Swanwick.
Second prize will receive advance reading copies of three forthcoming novels.
Any runners-up will receive one-year subscriptions to F&SF.
Results of Competition #86 will appear in the November/December 2013 issue.
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