Fiction, is it stranger than fact?
JOBURG - Are you up to the Nova challenge? Nova Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards South Africa dares you to submit your most outlandish fiction to their annual competition.
Calling all aspiring science fiction and fantasy writers. The Nova short story competition is waiting for you and your story submission.
This competition is judged in two categories – General and South African – and is open for entry until 30 September. In other words, you still have time to write your prize-winning story.
Gavin Kreuiter of Science Fiction and Fantasy South Africa (SFFSA) coordinates the competition and offers some suggestions to prospective entrants.
“South Africa,” he says, ”is rife with themes for science fiction and fantasy, inspiration can be found right under your nose.
“We have an unbelievable president. Literally. And a Bishop who claims he can cure HIV with water that he sells for R10. The first of 64 antennas making up South Africa’s new radio telescope, MeerKAT, as well as the high-tech data centre, was launched in the Karoo this year.
”The Cradle of Humankind is one of eight World Heritage Sites in South Africa, and is widely recognised as the place from which all of humankind originated. And as for the soap opera of televised court proceedings… you just can’t make it up! Or can you?”
Kreuiter challenges aspiring writers to try to write a short story that rivals the fantastic tapestry of daily life in SA.
Or, if your writing preferences rather centre on BEMs, space ships, robots, witches, wardrobes and their ilk, enter into the competition’s general section.
Winning entries and finalists are published in Probe – a public fanzine, and there is also a cash prize to look forward to. Entry forms and details are available on Nova’s website at www.sffsa.org.za/Nova.html
