2020 may have lasted forever, but it’s time to set our sights on the future. SciFiMonth will be back this November for a month of exploring the coolest genre on or off-planet. Sign up is now open – if you’re interested in joining the finest crew of geeks as we discuss all things science fictional, jump aboard!

What is SciFiMonth

Join Lisa and I this November for our annual celebration of all things science fiction! We’ll be leading a month-long love-in for like-minded geeks to read books that leap into parallel dimensions and other timelines; watch shows in which battered space ships explore the far reaches of the galaxy; play games that let you shape the future you want to see; or listen to podcasts where keen minds shine their light on scifi and fandom.

Have a stockpile of speculative fiction you’ve been meaning to tackle? You’re in good company.

Curious about science fiction and don’t know where to start? You’re in safe hands – this is the best crew for recommendations and encouragement.

Share your passion for all corners of the genre with like-minded people via blog posts, Booktubes, Bookstagrams (or Litsy posts) and Twitch streams – or simply join the chat on Twitter. The kettle is always on aboard the good ship SciFiMonth, and there’s always room for one more geek amongst us. Just let us know where to find you so we can share and enjoy.

Join the crew

Please do sign up so we know you’re planning to come along for the ride. There’s no commitment – life can get in the way – but signing up lets us know to keep an eye out for you as we start the engines in November. 

Things to look forward to

Our now-traditional SciFiMonth prompt challenge. I made the mistake of thinking I’d skip the Wyrd and Wonder challenge this year and was put to shame by the outpouring of enthusiasm and gorgeous photography. Damn right I’m not making that mistake twice – let’s show we love scifi just as much as fantasy!

Jorie Loves A Story will be hosting a read-along of Kate Elliott’s exciting new space opera Unconquerable Sun – a gender-swapped scifi take on Alexander the Great. And guess what? We’re hosting a UK giveaway of this gorgeous beast for early sign-ups!

I will once again be hosting a read-along for a backlist favourite – this year, I’ve picked political space opera Golden Witchbreed by Mary Gentle.

This early 80s epic focuses on an inexperienced diplomat, Lynne Christie, sent to convince the Luddite rulers of Orthe to open up to offworld contact. But local politics are deadly, and change is in the air. Revolution could win Earth a coveted trade deal – or see Lynne executed as Golden Witchbreed, the ancient slavers whose technologies nearly destroyed the planet…

Challenge prompts and read-along schedules will be published in the next few weeks.

Got an idea for something you’d like us to help you put together for SciFiMonth? Get in touch – you can find us at @SciFiMonth on Twitter. 

Win books

There’s no deadline for signing up – if you only hear about us on the second-last day of November, you’re still welcome to join in what’s left of the fun. But if you sign up in advance and make a SciFiMonth post before the competition deadline, you will be eligible for one or both of our sign up giveaways!

EARLY BIRD (UK only): sign up and make a post promoting the event by October 16th to enter the draw for a copy of the gorgeous UK edition of Kate Elliott’s UNCONQUERABLE SUN courtesy of Head of Zeus.

ALL HANDS (International): sign up and post by November 7th to enter the draw for a copy of SEVEN DEVILS by Laura Lam & Elizabeth May.

Early Bird entrants are automatically eligible for the All Hands draw.

Posts can be made on your blog, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, Litsy or other social media channel; a single tweet does not qualify, but a thread does – don’t forget to share your link with us to ensure we see it. Full terms and conditions on the sign-up form.

Credits

ARTWORK by Tithi Luadthong from 123RF.com.

QUOTE from Seven Devils by Elizabeth May & Laura Lam

Note: the gorgeous artwork is not royalty-free, but has been licensed for use to promote the event online. You are welcome to use the banner to signal you are part of the crew, but please do not make any changes (except to resize as needed). As ever, please ensure you credit the artist! 

There will be more banners and  buttons released in a couple of weeks.