EuropiaSF - New European Science Fiction: Stories for a Changing World
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A new wave of European science fiction is emerging—brilliant, gripping, and deeply relevant. These stories explore technological and societal change, human agency in worlds of otherness, and alternative futures. But unlike traditional SF, they don’t require a pre-existing interest in the genre. They are simply excellent, compelling narratives, accessible to a broad audience, offering fresh perspectives without feeling like an intellectual exercise.
At the same time, we see a growing demand for new visions of the future, especially from people who don’t actively seek out SF. Many want more than just answers to today’s problems—they long for stories that inspire, challenge, and reimagine what the future could be, making the ground for engaging in a larger discourse about the world they will live in.
Yet, these stories remain hard to find. The book market is dominated by translated Anglo-American imports, traditional mainstream narratives, and commercial constraints that make it difficult for New European SF to reach its full audience. The ongoing consolidation in bookselling and the film industry’s reinforcement of familiar tropes further limit its visibility.
Our project builds a network of European SF authors, bookstores, publishers, and communities to change this. By increasing visibility, fostering direct interaction between authors and new audiences, and creating alternative pathways through social media, discussions, and live events, we aim to make these stories discoverable, demanded, and commercially viable.
If we succeed, we will prove that science fiction—when done right—can be more than entertainment. It can offer light in uncertain times, fueling imagination, agency, and hope.
Our Projects
We have intiated 5 projects to reach this vision.
Project 1: Author Readings and Performances Across Europe
We will connect authors with new audiences, increase visibility for European SF, and foster cross-border cultural exchange.
We will organize readings and live performances by selected European science fiction authors from each participating country. These events will take place both in their home countries and abroad.
Events will be held in diverse venues such as bookstores, universities, festivals, or conventions—depending on local infrastructure and audience potential. Where language barriers exist, a translator or moderator will support the session. Partners will prepare translated excerpts if needed. Joint readings by two authors are also possible.
These sessions will be bundled as a bookable format for other venues, and made accessible via the EuropiaSF website.
Project 2: Creating a Distinct EuropiaSF Identity
We plan to establish a clear, recognizable brand for EuropiaSF that expresses its values and connects with audiences across Europe.
This includes a visual identity (logo, claim, visual language), a professional website, and coordinated channels on social media. This identity will highlight EuropiaSF's focus on European diversity, speculative storytelling, and the societal relevance of science fiction for thinking about futures.
We believe that strong, shared identity is essential for public engagement and long-term impact. It builds recognition for EuropiaSF as a cultural initiative and makes it easier for partners, media, and audiences to connect with our work.
Project 3: Connecting the European SF Infrastructure
Currently, most SF activity is local or digital, with limited exchange especially between European countries. We want to increase visibility, support cooperation, and offer continuity—making SF more accessible and more resilient.
We want to create a collaborative infrastructure that links local SF initiatives—events, venues, publishers, communities—across Europe.
We will map and connect existing efforts through a digital platform that includes participating cities, venues, and materials such as recordings, reading lists, promo content, and contacts. We will also initiate larger cultural actions like a “Month of the Futures” in Germany and Italy, modeled after France’s Mois de l’Imaginaire, and offer support for replication in other countries.
Project 4: International Showcasing of EuropiaSF
European SF is underrepresented internationally, especially when it doesn’t conform to Anglo-American styles. This project positions EuropiaSF as a distinct, high-quality contribution to global SF discourse.
We want to promote New European Science Fiction at major international conventions and cultural events.
EuropiaSF authors and stories will be presented at Worldcon (2026 & 2027), Eurocon, and leading Chinese SF conferences. We will organize panels, performances, and booths. An English-language EuropiaSF reader will be developed and distributed to present our stories to a global audience.
Project 5: EuropiaSF Anthology
We will produce and distribute a curated anthology of short stories from EuropiaSF authors.
We will select 10–12 outstanding stories from different European countries, professionally translate them into English, and publish them in a high-quality anthology. The book will be distributed through bookstores, at events, and digitally. If successful, we will repeat this publication every two years with a sustainable business model.
This anthology provides a tangible showcase of the richness, diversity, and relevance of EuropiaSF storytelling. It gives readers and institutions a compelling entry point into a European perspective on the future.
This project is initiated and coordinated by:
Getting involved
We invite everbody to connect and collaborate.
Just drop a line to doing@planetscifi.org