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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition

@spsfc.bsky.social
607 followers 329 following 88 posts

An annual contest to pick a winner from hundreds of self-published novels in SF. Currently reading and reviewing for our fifth contest. Web site: spsfc.space

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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The final finalist is Generations by @noamj.bsky.social, an epic about a colony ship that carries the last hope of humanity and a centuries-old conspiracy. www.amazon.com/Generations-...
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The fifth finalist is Our Simulated Selves by @nikkinull.bsky.social, a quantum thriller of romance, recreated realities and who we're truly meant to be. www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCVK8RP7
The cover of Nikki Null's science fiction novel Our Simulated Selves, which depicts two abstract figures high above a vast metropolis. The city is real and the people are rendered as ASCII art characters. A portal of rectangles also depicted as ASCII is below them.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The fourth finalist is FrostByte by N.S. Chaudhury, a South Asian cyberpunk novel about illegal resurrection and solving your own murder. www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5N4VHYR
The cover of N.S. Chaudhury's science fiction novel FrostByte, which depicts a woman in a cyberpunk city with hair that is blond and red, the latter appearing digital like a holographic effect. She has henna patterns on her hands and is holding a plant.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The third finalist is Artificial Selection by Marianne Pickles, a post-apocalyptic mystery full of awkward questions and hope. www.amazon.com/Artificial-S...
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The second finalist is ab initio by Jacob Terracina, an artificial intelligence courtroom thriller about what it means to be human. www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM6H956S
The cover of Jacob Terracina's science fiction novel ab initio, which depicts a sleek bald android hanging upside down, its eyes closed, expression mysterious and latticework of metallic blue skin partially hidden in shadow. A pixelated yellow background looks like it might be a virtual world.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The first finalist is Time Traitors by @elidonovanwriter.bsky.social, a tale of dinosaurs, poachers and a broken time machine. www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSL63L7S
The cover of Eli Donovan's science fiction novel Time Traitors, which depicts an athletic woman and man carrying hefty rifles they probably need, given that they are standing in a jungle with a dinosaur in the foreground that looks like a triceratops and another in the background that's a tyrannosaurus rex.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Six books have advanced to the finals of the fifth Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC). We'll announce them in random order in the next six posts.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
SPSFC 5 judging teams have announced the 10 novels advancing to the semifinals. spsfc.space/2026/06/17/t... The finals are coming on Aug. 1. #sciencefiction
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Judging teams for SPSFC 5 are beginning to decide which books will advance to a full read for consideration as semifinalists. Here's a status board with the book allocations to teams. spsfc.space/2026/02/10/s...
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SPSFC#5 book allocations by judging team
Here are the books and teams as allocated for the 5th annual Self-Published Science Fiction Competition. Links to all the books are provided here. As the competition continues, we’ll update t…
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
If you have Kindle Unlimited, 63 of the books entered into #SPSFC are available there. Look for (KU) on the list: spsfc.space/books-receiv...
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Books Received for SPSFC 5
SPSFC 5 took submissions of books for the contest from Oct. 13, 2025, to Nov. 9, 2025. Here’s a list of the books submitted. Books available on Kindle Unlimited have “(KU)” after the ti…
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
SPSFC 5 judge @aealexander.bsky.social has an informative post up about the contest that includes all of the past winners and finalists. #SPSFC www.aealexander.com/blog/spsfc
aealexander.com
All You Need To Know About the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC) — Allison Alexander
Key details about the contest for self-published sci-fi novels founded by Hugh Howey.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
The fifth #SPSFC is about to close for entries and we're looking for a few more judges: spsfc.space/2025/11/07/l... Come for the free books. Stay for the Discord community full of self-published authors and avid science fiction readers.
Photo of sand descending in an egg timer published by openDemocracy.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
The fifth Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (#SPSFC) has begun taking entries from authors. Details and the entry link here: spsfc.space/2025/10/13/h... If you're not entering a book join us as a judge! spsfc.space/2025/09/19/j...
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How to Enter SPSFC 5
The fifth Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC) has begun taking entries. The authors who’ve been asking us when SPSFC 5 will begin as they get their manuscripts ready can be giv…
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
With the fifth Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC) taking book entries next month, we're looking for a few good volunteers to join us as judges: spsfc.space/2025/09/19/j... More than a few, actually. #SPSFC
A photo of the retro raygun awarded to the winner of the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition alongside a plague that notes the winner of SPSFC 4 as Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker. Next to the trophy is Welker's book, which has a cover of a hovering ovoid spacecraft above San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. The sky is orange and full of portent.
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A Wandering Greybeard 🧙‍♂️ @flameinc.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Congratulations to the top recognized and all who submitted works for consideration! I’ll link my personal favorites below. There were several excellent books that I’d read previously which didn’t advance in other groups. I enjoyed being a judge, thank you again! spsfc.space/2025/08/07/a...
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And the SPSFC 4 Winner is
After four rounds of reading over the past 10 months, the judges of the fourth Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC) have advanced books through the scout phase, team quarterfinals, se…
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Mark Lawrence @marklawrenceauthor.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Big congratulations to @wickwelker.bsky.social, well done!
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Here's more on the #SPSFC 4 winner Saint Elspeth by @wickwelker.bsky.social and the top 6 books. spsfc.space/2025/08/07/a... Carve out some quality time for yourself this evening and read a self-published novel.
The cover of the novel Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker. In a sky lit an apocalyptic shade of orange, an ovoid ship hovers over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
And the SPSFC 4 Winner is After four rounds of reading over the past 10 months, the judges of the fourth Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC) have advanced books through the scout phase, team quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. What was once a to-be read pile of 175 books has…
spsfc.space
And the SPSFC 4 Winner is
After four rounds of reading over the past 10 months, the judges of the fourth Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC) have advanced books through the scout phase, team quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. What was once a to-be read pile of 175 books has become one winner and five runners-up claiming the top six places. Five teams participated in judging from start to finish:
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
The winner of the fourth #SPSFC is Saint Elspeth by @wickwelker.bsky.social, a tightly crafted tale of a doctor who survived first contact and nuclear apocalypse. "They just arrived, inadvertently triggered humanity to tear itself to pieces, landed, and vanished." www.amazon.com/Saint-Elspet...
The cover of the novel Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker. In a sky lit an apocalyptic shade of orange, an ovoid ship hovers over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
With four places announced out of six, the fourth #SPSFC is faced with the dilemma of what to announce next. By a margin of just 0.392, second place goes to "action packed" On Impulse by Heather Texle, led by migraine-afflicted ex-space cop Reliance Sinclair. www.amazon.com/Impulse-Reli...
The cover of the science fiction novel On Impulse by Heather Texle. A woman in a leather jacket holds a large gun in a place with dropping wires and sky beyond. She has a blue computer readout over her head and a pensive expression.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Third place in the fourth #SPSFC goes to the second chances resurrection romp Yours, Celestially by @al-distortion.bsky.social. Judge: "I needed this in my life right now at a time where I had more than a few negative thoughts in my head about being who I am." www.amazon.com/Yours-Celest...
The cover of Yours Celestially by Al Hess. A well dressed figure in a purple sportscoat, black shirt and hat has a cloud-filled sky instead of a face. Windows dialogs read "Resurrection: Loading", "Metatron.jpg" and "Call your guardian angel?"
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Fourth place in the fourth #SPSFC is claimed by the "rollicking space opera" Whiskey and Warfare by @emhamill.bsky.social. A found family of golden-years space mercs reunite to stop a genocide. www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Warf...
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Fifth place in the fourth #SPSFC goes to the richly constructed noir cyberpunk thriller Accidental Intelligence by @geektells.bsky.social. A judge loved that the dark reign of AI began when a videogame "learned so well and so fast that it gained sentience." www.amazon.com/Accidental-I...
The cover of Accidental Intelligence by Bryan Chaffin. A man looking out a tall building sees an enormous idealized feminine head with green eyes radiating light.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
After 306 days and 175 novels, the fourth #SPSFC has chosen its winner along with five finalists as runners-up. Sixth place goes to the "awesome high-concept" Bisection by @jennelikejennay.bsky.social. You can share one brain and still not understand someone. www.amazon.com/Bisection-Sh...
The cover of the novel Bisection by Sheila Jenné. Over stars and a blue planet, two women of contrasting colors are connected by roots and structures reminiscent of a brain.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
The 6 novels that made the finals of #SPSFC 4 are Accidental Intelligence by Bryan Chaffin, Bisection by Sheila Jenné, On Impulse by Heather Texle, Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker, Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill and Yours Celestially by Al Hess. #readem spsfc.space/2025/06/05/s...
The logo of the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), a circle with a retro raygun over blue sky and stars firing energy radiating in a pattern that is red and white.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker has been picked as an #SPSFC 4 finalist: spsfc.space/2025/06/05/s... Judge: "I'm really glad I read this book. ... I like Elspeth Darrow. I rooted for her."
The cover of the novel Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker. In a sky lit an apocalyptic shade of orange, an ovoid ship hovers over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
On Impulse by Heather Texle has been selected as an #SPSFC 4 finalist. spsfc.space/2025/06/05/s... Judge: "Well-paced and written in a way that makes it easy to slip into the story."
The cover of the science fiction novel On Impulse by Heather Texle. A woman in a leather jacket holds a large gun in a place with dropping wires and sky beyond. She has a blue computer readout over her head and a pensive expression.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Accidental Intelligence by @geektells.bsky.social‬ has been chosen as an #SPSFC 4 finalist. spsfc.space/2025/06/05/s... Judge: "My favorite opening half of anything I've read in this competition this year."
The cover of Accidental Intelligence by Bryan Chaffin. A man looking out a tall building sees an enormous idealized feminine head with green eyes radiating light.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill has been picked as an #SPSFC 4 finalist. spsfc.space/2025/06/05/s... Judge: "Equal parts heart-warming and heart-breaking, full of real human depth, and a thoughtful exploration of aging."
The cover of Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill. In space over a planet, four women including humans and one of catlike appearance stand in the foreground looking confident as a spacecraft takes off in the background.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Yours Celestially by @al-distortion.bsky.social‬ has been selected as an #SPSFC 4 finalist. spsfc.space/2025/06/05/s... Judge: "I needed this in my life right now at a time where I had more than a few negative thoughts in my head about being who I am sometimes."
The cover of Yours Celestially by Al Hess. A well dressed figure in a purple sportscoat, black shirt and hat has a cloud-filled sky instead of a face. Windows dialogs read "Resurrection: Loading", "Metatron.jpg" and "Call your guardian angel?"
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Bisection by Sheila Jenné has been chosen as an #SPSFC 4 finalist. spsfc.space/2025/06/05/s... Judge: "I just finished Bisection and OMG I absolutely loved it."
The cover of the novel Bisection by Jenné. Over stars and a blue planet, two women of contrasting colors are connected by roots and structures reminiscent of a brain.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
SPSFC 4 Finalists Announced Two hundred and forty four days ago, the volunteer judges of the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition began reading 175 novels. These six have advanced through the scout round, the quarterfinals and the semifinals to emerge as our six SPSFC 4 finalists (announced…
spsfc.space
SPSFC 4 Finalists Announced
Two hundred and forty four days ago, the volunteer judges of the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition began reading 175 novels. These six have advanced through the scout round, the quarterfinals and the semifinals to emerge as our six SPSFC 4 finalists (announced in random order): Bisection by Sheila Jenné Yours Celestially by Al Hess Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill…
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
After 8 months of reading, the judges of the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition have chosen the six finalists for SPSFC 4. We'll be announcing these books tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Eastern. Make some coffee. Take the dog out. Hold all calls. Stretch your Kindle thumb.
The logo of the Self-Published Science Fiction Competition: A circle with a raygun in front of a blue sky with stars radiating red and white energy.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
The marathon of SPSFC semifinalist social media announcements is over after more than 25 hours. Let's get into good books. We yield the floor.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
The Space Girls have named their SPSFC 4 semifinalists: Proliferation by @erikotto.bsky.social and On Impulse by Heather Texle. tinyurl.com/proliferation2 tinyurl.com/onimpulse www.lecari.co.uk
The cover of Proliferation by Erik A. Otto: A man made up of stars and constellations looks at an object with cities in the background. The cover of the science fiction novel On Impulse by Heather Texle: A woman in a leather jacket holds a large gun in a place with dropping wires and sky beyond. She has a blue computer readout over her head and a pensive expression.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
A team submerged in time's relentless tide picked these SPSFC 4 semifinalists: The Murder Algorithm by Wilson Kincaid and EAT by Jesse Brown. tinyurl.com/murderalgori... tinyurl.com/eatjessebrown
The cover of The Murder Algorithm by Wilson Kincaid: A man in a hoodie in a darkened apartment with a large computer screen looks out on the foreboding red-tinted skies of downtown Los Angeles at night. The cover of EAT by Jesse Brown: A gray snake with yellow eyes and dripping fangs dives through the bloody text "EAT" and "Welcome back to the food chain."
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Ground Control to Major Tom has advanced their SPSFC 4 semifinalists: Saint Elspeth by @wickwelker.bsky.social and Yours Celestially by @al-distortion.bsky.social. sciencefiction.news/item/167/sps...
The cover of the novel Saint Elspeth by Wick Welker: In a sky lit an apocalyptic shade of orange, an ovoid ship hovers over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The cover of the novel Yours Celestially by Al Hess: A man in a stylish purple suit, black shirt and black hat has clouds and a backdrop of stars where his face should be. A GUI dialog in front of him asks, "Call your guardian angel?"
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Team Red Stars has revealed their SPSFC 4 semifinalists: Accidental Intelligence by @geektells.bsky.social and Bisection by @jennelikejennay.bsky.social. eclectictheist.wordpress.com/2025/03/26/s...
The cover of Accidental Intelligence by Bryan Chaffin: A man looking out a tall building sees an enormous idealized feminine head with green eyes radiating light. The cover of the novel Bisection by Sheila Jenné: Over stars and a blue planet, two women of contrasting colors are connected by roots and structures reminiscent of a brain.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Team Tar Vol On has chosen their SPSFC 4 semifinalists: Time of the Cat by @tansyrr.bsky.social and A Swift and Sudden Exit by @nicovincenty.bsky.social. www.tarvolon.com/2025/03/26/s... www.tarvolon.com/2025/03/17/s...
The cover of A Swift and Sudden Exit by Nico Vincenty: A woman in black clothes and boots in a swirling portal reaches out to touch the extended hand of another woman with long hair and an old-fashioned dress. The cover of the novel Time of the Cat by Tansy Rayner Roberts: A tabby cat with a white neck and paws is strutting through a viking village in a viking helm with nothing to suggest this is in any way odd.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Peripheral Prospectors has announced their SPSFC 4 semifinalists: Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill and Wakers of the Cryocrypt by Nathan Kuzack. onereadingnurse.com/2025/03/26/t...
The cover of Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill: In space over a planet, four women including humans and one of catlike appearance stand in the foreground looking confident as a spacecraft takes off in the background. The cover of Wakers of the Cryocrypt by Nathan Kuzack: A sophisticated hand of an AI touches an ancient cave etching a human made of their own hand.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
There's one last SPSFC 4 quarterfinalist to share: Ground Control to Major Tom chose Enigma by Ryan Southwick. sciencefiction.news/item/166 Humans fled Earth and reinvented themselves. After 10K years fold travel brings colonies together. Dire events unfold. FAMILY REUNIONS AMIRITE?
The cover of Enigma by Ryan Southwick. A woman in long white pants and a purple vest with a long metal bracer covering a forearm places a hand on a placid snow-white oversized tiger in front of a trippy landscape of red trees, glowing pink lights and fungal plants that resemble parachutes.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
If Chad can do book-chess-push ups you can #writerslift bro.
A photo of a bodybuilder doing one-arm push ups while reading a book and playing chess on the book. Text over the photo reads "If Chad can do book-chess-push ups you can #writerslift bro." Taken by Kostya6969 and licensed from Dreamstime.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
The Space Girls selected Vermilion Flames by Adam Fernandez as an SPSFC 4 quarterfinalist. tinyurl.com/vflames There is life on Mars. Kaya, drawn deeper into the theocracy she loathes, seeks the truth about her mother's murder. Judges were drawn to the societal conflict.
The cover of Vermilion Flames by Adam Fernandez. Armored soldiers and figures in long cloaks carrying banners observe a fire sending smoke across buildings.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Peripheral Prospectors claim Da Vinci on the Lam by B. D. Booker as an SPSFC 4 quarterfinalist. tinyurl.com/dvonthelam Julia and Artis must deliver a Da Vinci sketch off the dying Earth. Judge: "She is adaptable and he's, well, not a total asshole". What could go wrong?
The cover of Da Vinci on the Lam by B. D. Booker. A grizzled man in futuristic Western attire wears blue goggles and carries a long handgun pointed upwards. He has an unperturbed expression.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
The Space Girls chose Proliferation by Erik A. Otto as an SPSFC 4 quarterfinalist. tinyurl.com/proliferation2 After society collapses to pre-industrial, a machine city rises and now everyone cares what an anthropologist thinks. A judge loved it so much she bought the paperback.
The cover of Proliferation by Erik A. Otto. A man made up of stars and constellations looks at an object with cities in the background.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Ground Control to Major Tom has picked Our Lady of the Artilects by Andrew Gillsmith as an SPSFC 4 quarterfinalist. sciencefiction.news/item/165/ When an AI claims to be possessed, the Vatican sends exorcist and neuroscientist Gabriel Serafian to find the truth -- and maybe cover it up.
The cover of Our Lady of the Artilects by Andrew Gillsmith. A female android kneels in prayer, holy light and electricity emanating from her head.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Peripheral Prospectors has selected Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill as an SPSFC 4 quarterfinalist. tinyurl.com/whiskeywarfare A retired space merc gathers old friends to bring her mate's ashes home and stumbles upon a war crime. Judge: "Female friendship ... and banter for days."
The cover of Whiskey and Warfare by E. M. Hamill. In space over a planet, four women including humans and one of catlike appearance stand in the foreground looking confident as a spacecraft takes off in the background.
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Ground Control to Major Tom has dared to make Yours Celestially by Al Hess an SPSFC 4 quarterfinalist. sciencefiction.news/item/164 Sasha bought a resurrection but inherited a lot of grief, including a lovesick AI guardian angel. Capsule review: "goes down like pudding."
The cover of Yours Celestially by Al Hess. A well dressed figure in a purple sportscoat, black shirt and hat has a cloud-filled sky instead of a face. Windows dialogs read "Resurrection: Loading", "Metatron.jpg" and "Call your guardian angel?"
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
A judging team spoken of only in portentous whispers chose EAT by Jesse Brown as an SPSFC 4 quarterfinalist: tinyurl.com/eatjessebrown One judge said this GMO horror nailed "that feeling of tension, that no character feels safe, or that anything that can happen will happen."
The cover of EAT by Jesse Brown. A gray snake with yellow eyes and dripping fangs dives through the bloody text "EAT" and "Welcome back to the food chain."
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The Self-Published Science Fiction Competition @spsfc.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
The Red Stars team has delivered Steamborn by @ericrasher.bsky.social to the SPSFC 4 quarterfinals. tinyurl.com/steamborn A tinker's apprentice flees his home and learns a secret that sends him to the deadlands. Judges loved the worldbuilding, which is good because this is book 1 of 9.
The cover of Steamborn by Eric R. Asher. A young male and female approach a smoldering hole in a towering city wall that looks 100 feet tall. Tall buildings, spires and bridges are seen beyond it.
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