Lunar Awards Season Four Starts Now!

Write, submit, earn prizes and get recognized.

Today marks the start of Lunar Awards season four! This will be the last season in 2023, and we’ll be accepting submissions for the Short Story and First Chapter categories. We’ll also be awarding our very first themed badge, so be sure to read all of the details and rules before submitting an entry.

Please read the FAQ, which contains the complete rules, including word limits. Ask in the comments if you have questions. The judging period is 7-14 days after the deadline before a winner in either category is announced.

Short Story Submission Period:
Short stories must be published on Substack after Sunday, October 01, 2023, 12:00am UTC (season start), and before Saturday, October 21, 2023, 11:59am UTC (season end). A total of 21 days. All times are UTC so there is no confusion on time differences.

First Chapter Submission Period:
First chapters can have any publication date, so long as it is before Saturday, October 21, 2023, 11:59am UTC (season end).

Award Season Four Judge:

Brian Reindel 👾⚔️

Halloween Themed Badge

We’re excited to announce our very first themed badge for our Short Story category submissions, called “The Great Pumpkin Patch”! In order to qualify to win the badge, your short story should include Halloween as a significant element. Costumes, parties, trick-or-treating, decorations and folklore can all play a role. Many countries celebrate the season with different traditions, but common modern themes are recognized throughout Samhain (Ireland and Scotland), Día De Los Muertos (Mexico) and the Kawasaki Halloween Parade (Japan).

Any short story submission can win “The Great Pumpkin Patch”, even if they aren’t the winner or runner-up of the current season. However, along with the winner, they will be linked on the Past Winners page. No special rules apply other than what’s stated here, and even the previous season’s winner is eligible to submit for the themed badge.

Including Halloween is not a requirement to enter this award season, but hey, why win one badge when you can win two!?!

Prizes

1. A six-month paid comp to the Lunar Awards, which grants you 7-day early access notification for the next award season.

2. A $25 monetary prize. US residents may choose either PayPal (minus fees and conversion rate), an Amazon.com e-gift card or a Bookshop.org e-gift card. International residents will be paid via PayPal in participating countries.

3. A permanent link on the Past Winners page, including a high-resolution badge to display on your Substack.

Short Story Entry

Post a link to your short story in the comments of this post. The entry will be verified with a confirmed ✅ response comment. If it violates a rule, it will be considered temporarily declined until a correction is made.

First Chapter Entry

Post a link to your first chapter in the comments of this post and specify that it is a first chapter entry. The entry will be verified with a confirmed ✅ response comment. If it violates a rule, it will be considered temporarily declined until a correction is made.

Let’s get this spooky speculative season going! 🎃👻💀

The Lunar Awards works hard to promote and reward science fiction and fantasy authors on Substack, including monetary prizes for winners. Will you consider a paid subscription to help us continue these efforts? We’ve got big plans for 2024 and would love for you to be a part of our growth and success.

🚫SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED!