Hey Fantasy Writers! Baen Wants YOUR Adventure Story (And They’re Giving Away Cash!)
Remember when you stayed up until 3 AM reading that fantasy novel you couldn’t put down? The one with the hero who made you cheer out loud? Well, guess what—Baen Books wants YOU to write that kind of story now!
What’s This All About?
The Baen Fantasy Adventure Award is back for its eleventh year, and I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty excited about it. This contest is looking for short stories that capture that same magic that got us all hooked on fantasy in the first place—you know, the stuff that made us fall in love with authors like Jim Butcher, Brandon Sanderson, and Mercedes Lackey.
And the best part? No entry fee! (I know, right? In this economy?)
The Juicy Details
Here’s what you need to know:
- Write a fantasy adventure story (up to 8,000 words)
- ANY fantasy subgenre works: epic, heroic, sword & sorcery, urban… whatever floats your magical boat
- Must be original and unpublished (no cheating!)
- No AI-generated stuff (they can tell, trust me)
- Deadline: April 30th, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT
- Submissions open: January 20th, 2025
What They’re Drooling For
Baen wants heroes we can root for! Think:
- Warriors (modern or medieval) who solve problems with weapons OR wits
- Dragons? Yes please!
- Elves and dwarves? Bring ’em on!
- Castles under siege? Absolutely!
- Urban fantasy? You bet!
- Damsels in distress OR damsels CAUSING distress? Both work!
What’ll Make Them Roll Their Eyes
Save yourself the trouble and avoid:
- Political drama with no action (snooze)
- Angsty teens pining over vampires (so 2010)
- Religious allegory (not that kind of contest)
- Your gaming adventure transcript (just… no)
- “It was all a dream” endings (we will find you)
- Anything set in someone else’s universe (create your own magic!)
The Prizes (This Is Where It Gets Good)
GRAND PRIZE:
- Your story published on Baen’s website (paid at pro rates!)
- A fancy engraved award (for your shelf or to intimidate your writer friends)
- $500 worth of free Baen Books
SECOND PLACE:
- $500 worth of free Baen Books
THIRD PLACE:
- $300 worth of free Baen Books
Just look at last year’s winners for inspiration—AA Nour took home the grand prize, with Melissa Olthoff and a tie between C.H. Hung and Shami Stovall rounding out the winners’ circle.
Next Steps
- Write your heart-pounding fantasy adventure (remember: 8,000 words max)
- Format it properly (title and page numbers on every page, but NO NAME anywhere in the manuscript)
- Save it as an RTF file
- Email it to baenfantasyaward@baen.com with “BFAA SUBMISSION” in the subject line
- Include your title, name, address, phone number, and word count in the email body
- Cross your fingers and wait until July when they announce the finalists!
Ready to Join the Fantasy Adventure Hall of Fame?
Come on, what are you waiting for? Dust off that idea you’ve been nursing about the reluctant hero, the impossible quest, or the magical sword that keeps making sarcastic comments. The Baen Fantasy Adventure Award could have YOUR name on it next year!
Just remember to submit between January 20th and April 30th, 2025. Now go write something that’ll make dragons weep and wizards cheer!
(And hey, if you have questions, just email baenfantasyaward@baen.com with “BFAA QUESTION” in the subject line. They don’t bite… unless they’re shapeshifters.)
