Fake Contest Announcement
Earlier this month, June, 2008, a call for submissions in a SFWA-sponsored contest was posted on Craiglist and FLiXER, promising large cash prizes and publication. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A FAKE COMPETITION - IT IS A SCAM
The ad ran: T
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. is currently accepting science fiction story submissions of no more than 3000 words. All genres of science fiction accepted. Winners will get published in a Random House book titled “Asimovs of the Future.” The cash prizes for winners are as follows:
1st Place: $10,000
2nd Place: $5,000
3rd Place: $2,000
10 Honorary Mentions: $1000All winners and honorary mentions will get published. A percentage of the royalties for the book will also be included as part of the prize. The exact percentage has yet to be determined.
The entry cost was pitched at $10 and it was to be made out to “Science Fiction Writers of America.” The mailing address is a “submissions center” in San Diego.
With such a prize on offer it is easy to imagine how many people would have been enticed by the cash on offer and from an organization like SFWA, and a commercial publishing credit.
Let me state again THIS CONTEST IS A FAKE I’ve confirmed this with SFWA.
SFWA does not conduct writing contests (and if it did, why would it advertise them on Craigslist, rather than on its own website?). It has no San Diego address. Its publisher is Penguin, not Random House.
At first glance it appears that this is an entry fee scam - send your $10 and that’s it. But I’m left scratching my head, how on earth is anyone going to change a whole pile of checks made out to SFWA.
SFWA is investigating. In the meantime, if you’ve entered this contest, please contact Writer Beware immediately. If you have any additional information on this scam then please contact me so I can pass it on.
