Just found out today that my story "Burst Mode" has won second place in the Jim Baen Memorial Writing Contest.
The National Space Society and Baen Books sponsor this contest in memory of Jim Baen, to celebrate the role science fiction has in making advances in science. The basic requirement for entries is that they show the near future of manned space exploration.
The National Space Society has a simple vision: People living and working in thriving communities beyond the Earth, and the use of the vast resources of space for the dramatic betterment of humanity. They have local chapters all over the United States.
Jim Baen (1946-2006) was a noted science fiction writer, who became and editor and publisher when he founded Baen Books, a leader in the field of military SF, fantasy, adventure and space opera. They also have a thriving e-book division called Webscriptions, which allows readers to download books before publication.
My story was more down-to-earth than the typical space exploration story, but I did show how humans in the future will still be exploring the planets, and solving problems in a very human way.
A big thanks to Baen books and The National Space Society for providing the prizes (including membership in the Society!), judges Hank Davis, Eric Flint and Mike Resnick, and special thanks to William Ledbetter for organizing the contest and getting the results out.
Congratulations, Pat! (just in case you didn't get the congrats in my blog comments)
Do you have a link for Michael Barretta?
Posted by: graywave | May 06, 2009 at 04:04 PM
Thanks!
Looks like Mike has been published in Baen's Universe, but some quick googling didn't find him -- you were easy to find, though!
Posted by: Pat Lundrigan | May 06, 2009 at 11:22 PM