This is the place for up-to-date information regarding the former Con-Version Short Story contest (and the former publication ConTales).
The competition has been renamed in memory of one of Calgary's brightest, up-and-coming sf stars, Robyn Meta Herrington, who, on May 03, 2004, passed away following a 2-year battle with cancer. Robyn lived a life too big to be contained by mere mortality. What better way might there be to extend her vigor, humour, and generosity than to have a science fiction and fantasy short story competition held in her name? (The contest's new name is derived from one of Robyn's own stories, In Places Between.)
Prior to her passing, Robyn was very active writing (among her mentors were Mike Resnik and Robert J. Sawyer), as a member of Calgary's sf workshop group, the Imaginative Fiction Writers Association and with various on-line critting groups. She also immersed herself in the local sf convention, Con-Version. Shortly before her diagnosis, Robyn and fellow IFWit Linda Berry made a bold decision: they assumed control of the short story contest with a view to attracting entrants from around the globe. Through their efforts, the contest is now independent of the con, responsible for its own publicity and fundraising. Robyn's absence is now sorely felt.
On June 3, 2004, the IFWA membership voted to take the contest under the group's wing as a means of safeguarding Robyn's legacy. It is our intention to maintain the healthy prize fund and shepherd the competition until it achieves the kind of success Robyn hoped to see. To this end, we are grateful for the generous support of our generous patrons:
- Bruce Herrington
- Leslie Cerny
- Lar deSouza
- Danita Maslankowski
- Randy McCharles
- Liz & Hayden Trenholm
- K. A. Bedford
- D. & J. Duncan
- The Imaginative Fiction Writers Association
If you would like to contribute, or advertize in the In Places Between collection, please get in touch.
The 2009 contest will be held at Con-Version Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23, 2009 at The Metropolitan Centre (333 - 4 Avenue SW, Calgary Alberta). Rules as follows:
- Entries must be postmarked by May 01, 2009.
- Mail entries to: In Places Between, PO Box 31014, Bridgeland PO
112, 4 Street NE, Calgary AB T2E 0C0
- Include a stamped, self-addressed 9" x 12" envelope (U.S. & International entrants should include an International Reply Coupon or a cheque/money order payable to IFWA for $6 Cdn. in lieu of an IRC). Manuscripts without return postage will disposed, unjudged.
- All entrants will receive all copies of their own submitted manuscripts and critiques of their stories, a list of prize-winners and a copy of In Places Between.
- Entry Fees: None.
- All stories must be science fiction, fantasy or horror.
- If you do not qualify for SFWA, you qualify for this competition.
- Entrants may submit two stories.
- Entrants must submit three copies of each story.
- Maximum length of stories is 5000 words.
- Stories must be previously unpublished.
- Stories must be in competition format. Be forewarned. In the past, we have been forgiving on this point. In future, failure to follow the contest format outlined below will result in entries being returned, unread.
- Cover page: story title, your name, address, phone number and/or email.
- Your name should not appear anywhere on the story itself. This competition is judged blind.
- Font should be 12 point Courier (or comparable monospace font), text double-spaced, left aligned, one side of the paper only.
- Please use a fresh ribbon or cartridge for ease of reading.
- We do not (yet) accept electronic submissions; don't ask.
- Top five entries will be asked to submit a digital copy (disk or email) and a brief biography for inclusion in the 2009 edition of In Places Between.
- Prizes (in Canadian dollars):
- $125
- $100
- $75
- Honorable mentions (x2) $25
- In 2009, for the first time, the contest will include a separate judging for students attending Calgary high schools. Rules for the contest are available here. (This is a portable document file which requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader or similar software to open. If you need Acrobat Reader, you can download it free here.)
2008 Winners:
- 1st place - The Paragon of Beasts by Caroline Elliott
- 2nd place - The Sandwife by Heather Osborne
- 3rd place - Driving to Daylight by Al Onia
- HM - The Crow-Maiden by Chris Smith
- HM - The Trouble with Time Travel by Michael Gillett
We'd like to thank Ralan.Com for listing this contest.
Last update: Wed Mar 4 13:00:31 MST 2009.ex
