Writer's Prompt, January - February 2026

A Very Alien story explores non-human intelligence, life, or existence. Please try to envision entities that are fundamentally non-human and not merely unfamiliar in appearance. Endeavor to present biology, thoughts, cultures, perceptions, and values that are decidedly extraterrestrial.

This prompt can explore anything: first contact, coexistence, misunderstanding, irreconcilable difference, etc. Common tropes include radically non-anthropomorphic life, alien psychologies, communication barriers, humans projecting meaning where none exists, or the realization that humanity is not central, special, or even relevant. Explore these tropes or create something entirely new. The choice is yours!

Good science fiction has always challenged human-centric thinking, and some of the most influential “very alien” works include Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness, Stanisław Lem’s Solaris, Octavia E. Butler’s Xenogenesis series, Peter Watts’ Blindsight, and the short fiction of James Tiptree Jr. and Ted Chiang. These authors use the truly alien to interrogate identity, consciousness, communication, and the limits of human understanding.

PUBLICATION

Nebula Magazine seeks original, unpublished stories for inclusion. One story per writer. Submit final, fully-edited, ready to publish manuscripts, no drafts. Please stay within the word count and follow our Submission Guidelines.

If accepted, your submission will be published online as part of Nebula Magazine’s Very Alien writing prompt. By submitting your work, you grant Nebula Magazine the non-exclusive right to publish your story on our website and associated digital and print platforms.

You retain full copyright and all other rights to your work, and you are free to publish or license it elsewhere at any time.

Anton Kukal
Submissions Editor
Writer Prompts

Review our Submission Guidelines here:
https://nebulascifymagazine.blogspot.com/p/submissions.html