“Pulp Idol” short story contest kicks off exciting year for leading sci-fi magazine!
09/01/06 – SFX, Europe’s bestselling sci-fi and fantasy magazine, is celebrating the dawn of another exciting year for fans of the genre by giving ten readers the chance to become published authors in 2006.
Open to SFX readers and amateur writers, the inaugural SFX “Pulp Idol” contest will see the ten best short story submissions printed in a special paperback book printed later this year, to be distributed across the magazine’s print run of approximately 55,000 copies.
Aspiring writers of sci-fi, fantasy or horror-themed short stories have until Friday, 31st March to submit their previously unpublished works of 2000 words or less to the magazine. To get creative juices flowing issue 140 of SFX, on sale Wednesday, 18th January promises plenty of practical advice, hints and tips. With contributions from four of the UK’s leading genre writers, including space opera author, Alistair Reynolds, the February issue of SFX offers guidance and words of wisdom from professionals who began their careers writing short stories.
Alongside the magazine, the recently relaunched SFX website (www.sfx.co.uk) will offer a special interactive section on its message board dedicated to the competition, where users can share suggestions, inspiration and offer moral support.
Editor Dave Bradley said:
“Everybody has a story inside them, and we want to encourage you to write yours down – this could be the year you become a published science fiction author! We’re the leading SF magazine, and so we have a duty to support the genre and introduce new people to it. It is an amazing time for SF and fantasy right now, and many of the best ideas are coming from literature, with films like Lord of Rings, Harry Potter and War of the Worlds doing great things at the box office. We want to inspire our readers to get writing!”
Issue 140 of SFX also includes an exclusive interview with Oscar winner Charlize Theron, star of new sci-fi movie Aeon Flux and an 8-page behind the scenes feature on the resurgent American sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica. Plus there’s an expose of the new UK space comedy Hyperdrive – starring Shaun of the Dead’s Nick Frost.
Showcasing an exciting year of sci-fi and fantasy, issue 140 of SFX covermounts a free 48-page A5 preview guide to the best new movies, TV shows, books and games due in 2006. It delivers news on the hotly anticipated Superman Returns and X-Men 3 movies, as well as the reborn BBC One show, Doctor Who.
Issue 140 of SFX goes on sale Wednesday, 18th January with a coverprice of £3.75.
ENDS
About Future
Future plc was founded in the UK in 1985. Today, it publishes over 150 special-interest consumer magazines worldwide with strong portfolios in the computing, games, music, automotive, sports, crafts and leisure sectors. It is the fifth largest magazine publisher in the UK. Future employs 1,450 people in offices in the UK, US, France and Italy. Over 100 international editions of Future’s magazines are also published under licence in 30 other countries across the world. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR).
For more information:
Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, 01225 822517.