Lunar Awards S10 | Round 4 is Closed | Fantasy
We are currently judging submissions for Round 4 | Hosted by The Brothers Krynn
Welcome to the Lunar Awards!
The Lunar Awards is a yearlong event broken into six rounds focusing on three genres (Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction). At the end of the year, we’ll publish the winning stories in a physical book. We’ve reached Round 4, the second Fantasy round. Thanks for making Rounds 1, 2, and 3 such a success!
We’ve teamed up with The Brothers Krynn to judge your submissions. Joe and Dan are the creators of the Bros Krynn’s Newsletter, writers of the fantasy novel The Crown of Blood, and manage The Iron Crown, which hosts Warrior Wednesday and Sword & Saturday weekly posts/events. I’m thankful they’ve decided to host this fantasy round, and look forward to reading their winning selections.
Please read this post in its entirety before submitting a story. Any entries that do not follow the guidelines will not be accepted.
Your participation and stories make this event possible. Thanks for stopping by to give the Lunar Awards a chance. I wish you the best of luck for Round 4! ~ WM
Introduction by The Brothers Krynn
I want to start this 4th round by thanking all of ye brave and noble Writers of Wonder and Faerie-Stories, or as it is known in common parlance, Fantasy.
To a great many, Fantasy is simply kids’ stuff, but it is more than that; it is Mythology reborn. As a genre, it has always been the noblest, it has always been the most beautiful, and the reason for that is simple: It teaches, in the words of C.S. Lewis, that ‘Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.’ This is the purpose of the genre: to strike at the Truth of human nature, of the universe, and of all of us. It is thus the perfect genre for anyone who has ever wanted grand adventure, heroism, justice, and Truth in this world. It is for all these things and for the inner child that exists within all of us that we need this shining star of a genre.
Welcome, my brothers and sisters, to the finest of literary awards: the Lunar Awards. I love what you all are doing, more than words can describe. I love this genre, which has shaped and changed my life, and I know it has had the same effect on you. I eagerly await your stories and wish you all the very best.
~ The Brothers Krynn
Season 10 | Round 4 Details
Please read the FAQ, which contains complete rules and word limits. If you have questions, ask in the comments.
“Fantasy” includes any of its subgenres: High Fantasy, Low Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Mythic Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Portal Fantasy, Steampunk Fantasy, Fairytale Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Magical Realism, Grimdark Fantasy, among others. Your story will be considered as long as it is tangentially part of Fantasy.
Round 4 Schedule
July 15 - Open call for submissions
July 31 - Submissions closed
August 1 - Judging begins
August 20 - Judging concludes
August 26 - Winner and runner-up announced
For the complete schedule of Season 10, check out the post below:
Prizes
The winner will receive a permanent link on the Past Winners page and a high-resolution badge to display on their Substack.
The winner and runner-up will be offered a publication contract to be featured in the Lunar Awards official 2025 anthology.
The winner and runner-up will receive a 3-month trial to Storyletter XPress Publishing.
Featured authors in the anthology will receive a copy of the book after publication.
Entry
Post a link to your short story in the comments of this post. The entry will be verified with a “confirmed” comment. It will be temporarily declined if it violates a rule until a correction is made.
Thanks for letting me write for this, was really moved by the opportunity Winston. You're just... so kind to us and you hosting these you and Brian Niemeier have really done us such a kindness that I don't know what to say.
I can't participate myself (too many projects on the go, so I was happy to do the write up) but will spread the word.
Eyvallach, a powerful mage, wins it all and defeats his enemies; but does he get everything he wants? Find out in Eyvallach at the End of the World: https://zacharyroush.substack.com/p/eyvallach-at-the-end-of-the-world?r=5bis7