Annual Contest Celebrates Stories Focused on Near-Future Space Exploration Contest Marks 18 Years Highlighting Bright Futures and Rising Talent

PRIVERDALE, NEW YORK, March 17, 2025—Baen Books, in partnership with the National Space Society, is thrilled to announce the 2025 finalists for the Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award.

Now in its 18th year, the Jim Baen Memorial Award annually recognizes the best in realistic science fiction about achievable space exploration within the next few decades. From asteroid mining to Mars colonization, the contest focuses on stories filled with hard science, optimism, and a reminder that sometimes the biggest challenges are solved with duct tape and a bold attitude. “The National Space Society and Baen Books value the role science fiction has always played in inspiring real advancement,” said Contest Director C. Stuart Hardwick, “and have teamed up to sponsor this short fiction contest in memory of Jim Baen, the founder of Baen Books. It's a chance for writers to show how science and imagination can work together to build a brighter future, as well as to get some recognition and meet—and maybe inspire—scientists and space entrepreneurs making it happen.”

Judges for the award included Baen publisher Toni Weisskopf and the editorial staff of Baen Books, and all entries were judged anonymously. The contest occurs annually and seeks stories that highlight the positive potential of space exploration and discovery.

According to Baen publisher Toni Weisskopf, one of the most exciting aspects of the contest has been seeing writers from across the globe engaged with these inspiring themes.

“We launched this award with the goal of paying tribute to Jim Baen, and celebrating two of his great passions, space exploration and discovering new authors,” said Weisskopf. “It’s very encouraging to see people from around the world engaged and choosing to write positive stories about our future in space.”

The finalists for the 2025 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award are:

• Gustavo Bondoni
• Jason Crawford
• Deborah Davitt
• Meghan Feldman
• Ricardo Garcia
• Trent Guillory
• Gary Herring
• J. Russell
• Tom (T.S.) Ryker
• Avery Parks

These stellar storytellers have written tales filled with daring science, profound human themes, and a touch of that adventurous spirit that defines space exploration. This year’s winners will be honored at the 2025 International Space Development Conference (ISDC) held in Orlando, FL from June 19 to 22. In addition to the award, winners receive membership in the National Space Society and the first place story will be offered publication at Baen.com at professional rates.

Baen Books is known for its New York Times bestselling science fiction and fantasy, including David Weber’s Honor Harrington series, Eric Flint’s Ring of Fire alternate histories, Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter International urban fantasies, and Lois McMaster Bujold’s multiple award-winning Vorkosigan Saga. Baen’s physical books are distributed by Simon & Schuster, while their ebooks are available via numerous venues, including their own website.

Entries for the 2026 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest open October 1st, 2025.

For more information, visit https://www.baen.com/contest-jbmssa and https://nss.org.

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