The Cygnus Awards ~ Science Fiction Novel Writing Contest ~2025
The search for the best Science Fiction Books
Deadline
June 30, 2025
ENTER TO WIN the 2025 CIBA Overall Grand Prize of $1,000 USD for Best Book
Chanticleer Book Reviews is looking for the best books featuring space, time travel, life on other planets, parallel universes, alternate reality, and all the science, technology, major social or environmental changes of the future that author imaginations can dream up. Hard Science Fiction, Soft Science Fiction, Apocalyptic Fiction, Cyberpunk, Time Travel, Genetic Modification, Aliens, Super Humans, Interplanetary Travel, and Settlers on the Galactic Frontier, Dystopian, we will put them to the test and choose the best among them.
And check out our newest category Climate Fiction!
The entry fee is $99 for Non-Members and $75 for The Roost at Chanticleer members per entry per category.
Email Chanticleer@ChantiReviews.com for membership information or click here for more info about this exciting new Members-Only Community:
The 2023 CYGNUS Grand Prize Winner was Timothy S. Johnston for The Shadow of War
Click here to see the Full List of 2023 Cygnus Winners
Prizes to be won:
- All First in Category Winning Titles will be go on to compete for the Cygnus Grand Prize of an Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview along with e-newsletter and social media promotion (Valued at $795). Another exclusive prize for only CIBA Grand Prize Award Winners!
- The Cygnus Grand Prize Winner is named Chanticleer Reviews Best Science Fiction Book of the Year, and goes on to compete for the Chanticleer Overall Grand Prize Best Book of the Year
- The Overall Grand Prize Winner is named Chanticleer Reviews Best Book of the Year, and awarded the $1000 prize
- All Winners receive a Chanticleer Prize Package which includes a ribbon and a whole assortment of goodies detailed below (winners outside the US pay a shipping & handling fee)
Approximately more than $30,000.00 worth of cash and prizes! The Fine Print.
~$1,000 for one lucky Overall Grand Prize Winner plus an Exclusive Chanticleer Book Review Package and Author Interview along with e-newsletter and social media promotion (Valued at $795) Exclusive for only CIBA Grand Prize Winners!
~ The Exclusive CYGNUS Grand Prize Winner Chanticleer Book Review Package
~ Plus more prizes and promotional opportunities awarded to Category Winners
Currently accepting entries. Deadline: June 30, 2025.
What are you waiting for? Enter today!
The Chanticleer Prize Package includes:
- A Prize Ribbon to use in promotion at book signings and book festivals
- Book stickers to identify your print books to book store shoppers as they browse
In addition to all the ribbons and badges and cash awards we will be showering you with, you will also receive a powerful promotional boost from Chanticleer Reviews, with:
- Your name and book title announced on our high traffic website at the finalist stage, the category winner stage, the genre grand prize stage, and the overall grand prize stage, depending on how far you go in the competition
- Corresponding social media announcements of your contest advancements
- Corresponding newsletter announcements to our sizable email list
- If your book has been reviewed by Chanticleer, your book's Chanticleer review will be published in our Chanticleer Reviews Magazine
- Your book may also be seen and noticed by agents, publishers, Hollywood producers, and others within the publishing and entertainment industry who see our contests as a way to spot new and upcoming talent and original story ideas
The Cygnus Award Categories are:
- Speculative Fiction
- Soft Sci-Fi/Young Adult
- Alternate History
- Hard Science Fiction
- Apocalyptic/Dystopian
- Space Opera
- Climate Change Cli-Fi
A few words about the categories: Hard Science Fiction tends to be more "technology" based. Speculative fiction might be more concerned with different life forms or the inhabitants of the story have special powers. Some say that science fiction is a subset of speculative fiction... There are no clear or fast rules.
Each work submitted will be judged on the following criteria:
- Is the story compelling?
- Professionalism of editing and formatting
- Characterization
- Continuity of storyline
- Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
- Intriguing opening
- Uniqueness of story
- Writing craft
- World construct
- Premise
Eligibility Requirements:
- Novels may be Manuscripts, Self-published, Indie Published or Traditionally Published.
- E-pubs, Word Documents, and PDFs accepted.
- All published novels must have ISBN/ASIN designation, manuscripts are not required to have this designation at the time of submission.
- Entries must be in the English language.
- No erotica. No graphic violence, please.
- Published works before Jan 1, 2022 will be disqualified. All works that have been published must be published after Jan. 1, 2022.
- Manuscripts may be resubmitted.
- Novels must be 60,000 plus words.
- You may enter in more than one category. However, each entry must be accompanied by the entry fee.
- You may enter more than one novel into more than one division and also into multiple categories.
- Default winners will not be declared. Chanticleer International Book Award declared winners are based on merit and writing craft.
- Digital Files must be submitted in PDF or Word DOC format
- Fees and Digital File must be received before June 30, 2025 midnight.
- Please read our Terms and Conditions page aka The Fine Print. Prizes and Award Packages may change without notice.
Helpful Links
See all Previous CIBA Winners by Year here
The entry fee is $99 for Non-Members and $75 for The Roost at Chanticleer members per entry per category. We invite you to visit the Roost at Chanticleer!
If you have any questions or concerns, please email: info@ChantiReviews.com
Note: You will receive a confirmation email after you have uploaded your work and paid entrance fees through PayPal. PayPal also sends us your contact information. If we have any questions or concerns, we will contact you within 72 business hours of receiving entry(ies).
You should receive a confirmation emails from PayPal and from Chanticleer Book Reviews & Media. If you have any questions or concerns about your submission, please contact us at Chanticleer@ChantiReviews.com.
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