Imagine Mars
Who: A wise man I know once said, “If you can see it, you can dream it.” Technical and scientific advances bring us closer to the day that humans set foot on the Red Planet. It’s time for our imaginations to take that leap. Make yourself part of this journey by crafting a short story set on Mars. NOTE: This contest is open only to amateur authors.
What: Write a short story having at least half of the narrative set on Mars, and you might win a prize.
- For senior division: entries must contain 2,000–6,000 words, exclusive of title.
- For junior division: entries must contain 1,250–4,000 words, exclusive of title.
Find full contest rules here.
Where: Submit your entry via email to [email protected]
When: The contest will be open until 200 qualified entries are received, or until September 7, 2026, whichever comes first.
Qualified entries received: 6Why: Prizes, including a grand prize of $500 in each division, will be awarded to top finalists in each division (Junior or Senior), with winners announced at the 29th Annual Mars Society Conference in Los Angeles this October. All contest winners also receive a free one-year membership in The Mars Society.
Need food for thought? Here are two short story approaches to imagining life on Mars.
Looking for Inspiration?