Short Story Competition - NOW CLOSED

Short Story Competition - NOW CLOSED

Competition Results – Winners Announced

Thank you to everyone who submitted a story and shared their creativity with the EnDROIDS project. The competition is now closed.

We are delighted to announce the winners of the EnDROIDS Short Story Writing Competition. With 39 entries from multiple countries, the competition showcased a wide range of imaginative and thoughtful responses. We thank all contributors for their time, creativity, and enthusiasm.

  • First Place – Killing the Light, by Owen Seth
  • Second Place – Commonality, by Fiona Mossman
  • Third Place – Long Since Long Ago, by Jonny Aldridge

Each winning author will receive a cash prize and will have their work published in the forthcoming EnDROIDS anthology. More news on the anthology will be shared soon.

Theme

In collaboration with a local sci-fi author and an academic research group, this competition focuses on DNA data storage as an emerging technology. Winners will have their stories published, and there is a cash prize for the three best entries. We welcome submissions from writers of all backgrounds who are over 18 years old.

The competition aims to raise public awareness of DNA data storage through the creative lens of science fiction. Writers are invited to craft stories in any style, as long as they incorporate the theme of DNA data storage. To inspire their work, participants are encouraged to explore the “What is DNA Data Storage” video series created by the EnDROIDS research team. These videos provide in-depth insights into this emerging technology, covering both its technological aspects and wider social implications.

We are also thrilled to launch this initiative with the support of published sci-fi author Hannah Hoare, who has written two short stories inspired by our research theme. Her work is designed to spark curiosity and encourage creative exploration. Read her SciFi stories below:

Learn What is DNA Data Storage

“Using biology and nanotechnology to create green-by-design DNA-based data-structures for a data-hungry world.”

  • Visit our lab by clicking here to see where the work takes place.

  • What is DNA data storage and why are we developing it?

    What is DNA Data Storage?

  • Societal implications

    Societal Implications of DNA Data Storage

  • Synthetic biology in DNA Data Storage

    Synthetic Biology in DNA Data Storage

  • Nanotechnology in DNA Data Storage

  • Scientific computing in DNA Data Storage

    Scientific Computing in DNA Data Storage

  • How you code data inside DNA?

Judging Panel

  • Hannah Hoare: Published sci-fi writer and winner of 2021’s The Book Edit Writers’ Prize
  • Dr. Lenka Pelechova: Social Scientist, EnDROIDS research project
  • Prof. Dr. Natalio Krasnogor: Project Lead, EnDROIDS research project
  • Prof. Dr. Steven Gustafson: Information School, University of Washington (USA)
  • Dr. Alex Laverick: DNA data storage scientist (UK)
  • Dr. Joshua Loh: Biotechnologist (UK)

Competition Details

  • Story Length: 2,000 to 3,000 words
  • Entry Fee: Free
  • Submissions: Maximum of two submissions per person; only original and unpublished stories will be accepted. Simultaneous submissions are not allowed.
  • Eligibility: Open to both published and unpublished writers over the age of 18.
  • Submission Deadline: The competition is now closed.
  • Submission Format: Word document (font size 12, Times New Roman). All entries are judged anonymously; any story containing the author’s name will not be accepted.
  • Submission Process: The competition is now closed.
  • Language: English

Evaluation Criteria

Stories will be evaluated based on:

  • Engagement with DNA Data Storage: The theme must be central to the story.
  • Creativity and Writing Style: Originality and quality of writing.

Prizes

  • £750: First Prize
  • £500: Second Prize
  • £250: Third Prize

The top 15 stories will also be published in an anthology.

FAQs

Can I submit a story if I’m under 18?
No, the competition is open only to individuals over 18 years old.

Can I submit a story that has been posted on my blog?
No, only unpublished stories are allowed. Simultaneous submissions are not accepted.

Will feedback be provided?
Yes, short feedback will be provided for all submissions.

Can I submit more than one story?
Yes, up to two submissions per person are allowed.

What about copyright?
By submitting your entry, you agree that if your story is among the top 15, it will be published under a Creative Commons CC BY (attribution) license. This means that while you retain full copyright of your story, you grant us the right to publish and monetise it within the competition’s anthology.

Stay Informed

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Image by Jaro Tessloff from Pixabay