UPDATE: By popular request, the submission deadline for the Imagine Mars Story Contest has been extended! You now have until Monday, September 7, at 5:00 pm MT to submit your story and share your vision of life on the Red Planet.

The Mars Society is pleased to announce the launch of the Imagine Mars Story Contest, a new creative writing competition organized by our Missouri Mars Mavens chapter. Spearheaded by chapter leader Kevin Kelly, the contest invites students, aspiring writers, space enthusiasts, and dreamers of all ages to imagine what life on Mars could look like in the years and decades ahead.

Whether your vision features the first settlers building thriving communities, groundbreaking scientific discoveries, or the everyday adventures of living on the Red Planet, the Imagine Mars Story Contest encourages participants to explore humanity’s future on Mars through original storytelling.

All submissions must be written in English and submitted in DOCX format. Entries submitted in any format other than DOCX will not be accepted. Stories must also meet the following word-count requirements:

• Senior Division: 2,000–6,000 words
• Junior Division: 1,250–4,000 words

Winning entries will receive prizes and have the opportunity to inspire others to think about the challenges and possibilities of becoming a multi-planetary civilization.

The Mars Society applauds the Missouri Mars Mavens for creating this exciting initiative to spark creativity, encourage interest in Mars exploration, and inspire the next generation of explorers, scientists, engineers, and storytellers.

Ready to imagine the future? Visit the contest website to learn more about eligibility, submission guidelines, deadlines, and prizes—and start writing your journey to Mars today!

[Image: Main Image – Bjark Ingles Group]