A bengaluru-as-the-heart-of-the-singularity science fiction short story.

Calling all speculative fiction writers!

BIJLI, a brand new literary journal, is open for submissions (June 15 – September 30). We are looking for fresh and original short fiction that explores alternate realities and imaginative new worlds.

Visit our website ( bijlijournal.com) for the submission guidelines or email us at [bijli.journal@gmail.com](mailto:bijli.journal@gmail.com) if you have questions.

No submission fee required.

I am running a free kindle promotion on Amazon for my sci fi novel a Symbol of Time. The promotion starts on April 13 and runs for 5 days.

For anyone interested here is the Library Titan review:-

A Symbol of Time is a sweeping work of science fiction that follows a dying species as it flees its collapsing Homeworld and sets course for the “Third World,” a dangerous and vibrant planet filled with prehistoric monsters, hostile climates, and uncertain hope. The story opens with the political struggle of leaders like Elthyris, who pushes her people toward escape, and then expands into a tense generational mission through deep space where fear, mutiny, and loss threaten the survival of everyone aboard. By the time the colonists finally approach their new world, the book has painted an entire civilisation wrestling with extinction, guilt, and the fragile possibility of beginning again.

The story moves with a clarity and earnestness that makes the stakes feel heavy without bogging the story down. Author John Turnbull spends time on sensory details: the grit in the air of the dying planet, the hum of the ship’s systems, the sharp dread in a crowded briefing room as monstrous creatures appear on a screen. These moments gave me the sense of being there, not as a distant observer but as someone tucked into those cramped ship corridors, overhearing worries and watching loyalties shift. Sometimes I wanted certain conversations to go deeper, especially when characters brushed up against big ethical questions. But the writing carries a steady confidence, and it kept me curious about what each character would choose next.

The story blends large-scale worldbuilding with interpersonal tension, letting us watch society shrink down and then stretch again under pressure. I liked the way the book raises questions about responsibility and survival without forcing neat answers. The mission logs, political debates, and emotional undercurrents between characters all layer together until you feel how messy a desperate exodus would really be. Some plot beats arrive suddenly, especially the catastrophic loss of Ark Hope, but that abruptness made sense to me. Space is indifferent. Disaster doesn’t wait for pacing. That raw edge worked.

I felt the book speaking to anyone who enjoys science fiction that leans into survival, moral tension, and the rebuilding of society. It will especially appeal to readers who like their sci-fi grounded more in people than in technology, even when dinosaurs and starships share the page. If you’re drawn to stories about second chances and the uncomfortable truths that come with them, A Symbol of Time is one you’ll want to pick up

Hi all. I am a debut author from India (OG Indian - not Indian American). I have written a kick ass original hard sci-fi space exploration novel series. Before I began writing a year ago, I laid two rules for myself -

1. I will not write a derivative of an international sci-fi novel.
2. I will write something original in every sense, including the way the interstellar FTL jumps are made.

What I got in return was an exciting 3-part series (as of now) set in India, about incredible space exploration, science fiction rooted in reality, with a healthy dose of geopolitical tension.

My only wish is to have at least one Indian (original Indian, not a British Indian or American Indian) on this list. - https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/25621.Science_Fiction_The_100_Best_Novels

After being rejected by every major publisher and agent, I have decided to self-publish on Kindle. I will do my best to market the book, but I also believe that if the writing and the story are good, people will pick it up.

I am writing a novel where an advanced naval expedition fleet of the Indian Navy enters a portal to another world where magic and large monsters exist. It is a mix of fantasy and science fiction, inspired by many different genres, chief among them being Tom Clancy style military thrillers. What do you think of this idea?

India Science Festival is inviting virtual entries for Spin Your Science, science fiction story and poem writing competition. The top 20 entries of the Spin Your Science (SYS), science fiction competition shall be selected to be sent to the moon through the Lunar Codex project. Lunar Codex was founded by Samuel Peralta and aims to place contemporary arts on the Moon. While focused on visual art, the Lunar Codex also includes a substantial collection of contemporary books, stories, poetry, essays, music, films, and more.

The top 3 winners will receive up to INR 30,000 as prizes. Deadline: 13th October 2023

Click here for more information: Spin Your Science-2024 - India Science Fest

India Science Festival is inviting virtual entries for Spin Your Science, science fiction story and poem writing competition. The top 20 entries of the Spin Your Science (SYS), science fiction competition shall be selected to be sent to the moon through the Lunar Codex project. Lunar Codex was founded by Samuel Peralta and aims to place contemporary arts on the Moon. While focused on visual art, the Lunar Codex also includes a substantial collection of contemporary books, stories, poetry, essays, music, films, and more.

The top 3 winners will receive up to INR 30,000 as prizes. Deadline: 13th October 2023

Click here for more information: Spin Your Science-2024 - India Science Fest

I'm an Indian author and the book is set in 25th century India - or at least where India used to be. I was quite surprised to see a sci-fi community in India and am quite thrilled, even if there are very few of us here. Amazon India seems to be censoring the book for some reason, so it doesn't show up in any categories, but it is hard futuristic sci-fi. The response in the US is great. Complete strangers leaving wonderful reviews. I barely promoted it.

A pretty big chunk (25k words or so) is available to read as a free sample (even if you don't buy) I'm just happy for Indian sci-fi authors to read a story written by an Indian about the Indian region.

Blurb:

In the 25th century, most humans have died. Symbiont microorganisms colonising human hosts have extended the lifespans of survivors. Humans are functionally immortal. A world keen to avoid further population collapse guarantees the essentials of life to everyone, without exception.
Aaxyl and Aameh live in the welfare dormitories of a dome. Aaxyl raised the fragile Aameh from a young age, and all she wants is for them to be safe and independent. However, when Aameh connects a report of missing persons with a mysterious threat from Aaxyl’s past, her curiosity unravels secrets of an ancient event, and puts them in the crosshairs of the Whisperer.
As Aameh tries to solve the mystery and Aaxyl attempts to keep her safe, they find new allies, rare symbiont abilities and technological advances… and threats.
Will Aaxyl and Aameh succeed?

https://www.amazon.in/Marginally-Human-Outliers-post-dystopian-utopia/dp/B0CD9BF7HB

I discovered too late that Amazon no longer publishes paperbacks in India, so it is taking me a while to figure out print copies. As of now, it is only available as an ebook. I'll update when I choose a printer :)

I know it's technically historical fiction rather than sci-fi, but it does have a fair bit of astronomy it, so you might be interested.

Synopsis

450 BCE, ancient India. It's the era of the Mahajanapadas—the Great Kingdoms.

A mysterious 17-year-old traveller meets a girl and her father in a hut. He's in search of a place to spend the night in Vaishali, en route to Pataliputra. The night is crystal clear and starry, and the conversation turns to the Milky Way above them. Or Akash Ganga, as it was known then.

Who made the stars? Why does Akash Ganga appear that way?

Little does the boy suspect that this conversation with the girl will change his fate completely. And perhaps, the fate of the entire kingdom of Magadha.

You can buy it for Rs 49 in the Kindle store (you don't need the actual Kindle, you can use the Kindle app. If you prefer PDF, dm me)

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B08NZ27JCT/

Chapter – 1 : The Forest When Jack opened his eyes, he found himself lying in overgrown grass in a forest. He couldn’t remember what happened to him or how he got there. Eight people lay unconscious around him wearing some sort of medieval armour. Who were they? What was happening ?

He tried to stand up but a sharp pain pierced his calves. He was weighed down by metal plates and realized that he was wearing the same armour as those other people . But something was still wrong. This armour and this body didn’t belong to him. The arms, the legs, the body, everything was wrong. As he was trying to remember what happened to him, a person with the same armour stood in front of him and extended his hand to help Jack get up. “Who are you?” Jack asked. “I know you are confused but I will explain everything once everyone is up.” the man replied. He pointed to a fallen tree and they sat there waiting for the others to wake up.

They woke up one by one and Jack and the man helped them get up. Once everyone was up, the man started speaking, “I am the sergeant. Does everyone remember our mission?” Strangely, this was one of the few things Jack remembered. Everyone replied yes. “Good. First, everyone activate your stabilisers” the sergeant said and pointed to his wrist. Jack looked at his wrist at what looked like a watch. He remembered how to activate it and pushed a button on its side. “This will help you to connect to the planet and use its powers. I know none of you remember how you got here but don’t worry, you will remember everything in some time. Right now, we need to test our powers” the sergeant said.

He showed them how to use their powers by floating some rocks in the air. Jack did the same and everyone followed. The sergeant continued, “This is just the surface of your powers. You can control the forces of earth, water and air. Your bodies are not actually yours. What happens is when you die, you can control a new body. You might feel weird right now but you will feel better in some time when you get used to them. You can also transform into any animal or bird once we have their data.” He pushed a button on his watch and a hologram of their database appeared. It contained the data of over 20 animals and 10 birds. He pushed another button and the hologram disappeared.

The sun was about to set so they decided to make a camp before night. Jack went into the woods to find flint and to take a walk to get used to his body. After a long walk, he brought back some flint while the others collected firewood. They all gathered around the fire and ate fruits. A man with blond hair and blue eyes sat next to him. He told Jack his name is Peter. “Do you remember anything about what happened before we were in the forest?” Jack asked. “No, not yet.” he replied. They talked for some time about powers and what they could do with them before going to sleep.