Spec Fic Writers author Matthew Cushing’s short story “The Rite to Vote” was selected as a Finalist for the 2021 Roswell Award. Presented by The Lightbringer Project and the Omega Sci-Fi Awards, the Roswell Award is an international short science fiction story competition that provides an opportunity for science fiction writers to imagine the future of humanity through excellence in storytelling.
For 2021, over 500 stories were submitted from around the world including South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Tanzania, the United States, and many others. Six finalist stories were selected as well as nine honorable mentions. Judges included notable science fiction authors Steven Barnes, S.B. Divya, Rebecca Moesta, and Larry Niven.
The finalist stories were performed live by celebrity guests during a virtual ceremony on May 22, 2021. David Blue, of Stargate: Universe fame, brought life to each of the character voices in the story in a brilliant reading.
Matthew Cushing is an American author of speculative fiction short stories and novels. His short story “The Rite to Vote” was selected as a 2021 Roswell Award Finalist, and his debut novel The Osect Indiscretion won the 2022 Gold Rush Literary Award for speculative fiction. His work has appeared for CreepyPod, the International Human Rights Art Movement, and in several themed anthologies. An aficionado of science fiction, magic, and the macabre, Mr. Cushing enjoys writing character-driven stories that explore the wonder of ‘what if’ – often with a dose of humor.
Mr. Cushing has earned degrees from UC San Diego and Yale University, is a Co-Founder of the Speculative Fiction Writers Association, and volunteers as a Reader for Uncharted Magazine. An animal lover and amateur trombonist, Mr. Cushing lives in Connecticut. Visit his website at www.matthewcushing.com.
Congrats, Matt!