CEO of Grist
Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organisation dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future, is now accepting submissions from writers all over the globe for its 2023/2024 Imagine 2200 climate fiction short story contest, aimed at bringing solutions to the climate crisis, and bring about radical improvements to the world.
The contest seeks stories of between 3,000 to 5,000 words that envision the next 180 years of climate progress – roughly seven generations – imagining intersectional worlds of abundance, adaptation, reform, and hope.
A great Imagine story highlights creative climate solutions, particularly through narratives that showcase the communities most impacted by the climate crisis, and that envision what a truly green, equitable, and decolonized society could look like.
In addition, fiction rooted in hope, justice, and cultural authenticity, and aimed to amplify voices that have been, and continue to be, affected by systems of oppression are welcomed.
Imagine 2200 was inspired and informed by literary movements like Afrofuturism and Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, disabled, queer, and feminist futurisms, along with hope punk and solarpunk. Writers of all genres are urged to look to these movements for inspiration, while writers within these communities are encouraged to submit stories.
Writes are invited to bring climate fiction and the principles of Imagine 2200 into other genres. Stories can be mystery or comedy.
Writers must be at least 18 years old to submit a story to Imagine 2200. The contest is open to folks anywhere in the world, except where participation is prohibited or restricted by applicable law. Stories do need to be written in English.
The winning writer will be awarded $3,000, with the second-and third-place winners receiving $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. An additional nine finalists will each receive $300. All winners and finalists will have their stories published in an immersive collection on Grist’s website.
Co-authored stories are accepted, only one of the co-authors should submit the story – the submission form will offer a way to list the other co-author(s). If a co-authored story is selected for publication, all authors will be credited and prize money will be divided between them.
For detailed guidelines and to submit an entry, writers should please visit https://grist.submittable.com/submit.
Those who have questions can drop a note at imaginefiction@grist.org.
Submission of entries is free and closes on June 13, 2023, 11:59 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time.
