Quarterly small press magazine The Future Fire which is subtitled “Speculative Fiction and Dark Fantasy,” is running a short story contest with a $500 first prize.

The deadline is 10 December 2007, and the length limit is 2,000 words, but one of the keys to this contest is that entrants must log in to Second Life, visit a specific site (the Black Swan sim), and then write a story based on their experiences there. “The story may be in any genre on any topic, but there must be some discernible link to The Black Swan artwork. Bear in mind also that The Future Fire tends to prefer speculative and dark stories with a social conscience that confound the reader’s expectations. Quality will be the deciding factor in all judgements regarding this competition.”

Full entry requirements and details are available on this page.

UK SF Book News notes that the magazine has “an emphasis on the slipstream and socially responsible storytelling.” Talking to UKSFBN, Future Fire editor Djibril says “There’s a small technical barrier to entry, but no cost involved: the contest requires you to register and enter the Second Life virtual world and visit the Black Swan sim, which is a spooky, atmospheric island with a raised pathway, sculptures, events, and inhabitants. Visit for as long and as often as you like, and then write a story inspired by your experience.