Killanaus, a second-year biology student at an alien university on Xorrak, is down to one last chance to obtain research experience in the summer prior to graduation. However, Lokath, his would-be research advisor for the summer, harbors concerns about the student. As he enters the troubled waters leading to graduation, he and his advisor are about to raise questions on their system of abduction licensure. This book is written using prompts #110, 111 and 128 for the 2025 Open Novella Contest #1 in license (February 23, 2025) #1 in admissions (March 17, 2025) Ambassador pick (August 25, 2025) 2025 ONC Round 1 qualifier 2025 ONC Round 2 qualifier 2025 January-February 8-Chapter Challenge Winner 2025 ONC Long List 2025 ONC Short List

Stranded on Earth with no way home on a desperate quest, Blanc will do anything to return to Mehor Prime. Unfortunately, the humans confiscated his ship and his princess and took it somewhere impenetrable. While scouting to get it back, Blanc meets only humans on Earth who seem to have any knowledge of aliens. He knows they are thieves, but they are his only chance. Drafted as the muscle into their crew, Blanc must help them complete their mission to complete his own. All Blanc has to do is help their crew succeed where he alone has failed. Their goal: break in and expose the most classified and impenetrable place in America, Area 51. Open Novella Contest 2025 Prompt 72: An alien stranded on Earth for the first time is led down dangerous paths by criminals promising a way home. What they discover along the way may change everything.

|Round 2 Winner| |Round 3 Ambassador Pick| |Shortlist| Rhiannon "Banjo" Hart is a professional thief working her last ever job. The Hawk has promised a massive payout if she can steal data from Concorda International and Banjo needs the money to help her Mum get hospital treatment, but she is not sure The Hawk will stick to the adage of "honour amongst thieves". In her escape, she meets an android that adds complication after complication to her already complex life. Banjo needs to outrun the authorities, Concorda's security and The Hawk.

🏆x2 Awarded Best Science Fiction 🏆 Awarded Best Duo A sci-fi novella set in the universe of Shadow and Steel. In the city of Rift Dome, secrets are buried deep within the moon's ancient fractures. But some won't stay dead. Jace lives for the rush: the speed of the chase, the sting of blaster fire, and the high of outrunning death. But when a heist goes sideways, he uncovers a secret that could shatter the Dome--and everything holding the city together. Beneath the seductive glow of neon lights, the truth cuts deeper than any blaster. And Jace just pulled the trigger. Content Warning: This story contains violence, gore, death, harassment, strong language, substance use, non-explicit sexual content, and mature situations. Reader discretion is advised. Open Novella Contest 2025 longlister. The Prompt: 70. After stealing something vital from the city, you flee in a car, only to find a discarded human-like android in the back seat. The android has a critical flaw-and you must protect it from those who want it back.

"There's no denying it-either I'm hallucinating or Cole Winton is standing on my porch." Jamie is used to putting pen to paper. She's been doing it for years, and has a slew of novels to show for it. For the most part, she's left alone to write which is what she prefers. But this is the first time someone has knocked on her door, insisting they are one of her characters. This is the first time someone demands to know how she knows what she does, declaring it treason. Armed with only her pen, her notebook, and her cat, Inkwell, she finds out just how much of their own lives her characters have taken on outside of her novels. (ONC prompt 99) ONC 2025 Finalist (5th place)

Paige didn't come to Loughborough University to fall apart. But within twenty-four hours, her long-term boyfriend cheats, dumps her, and leaves her stranded in the place she followed him to. The last person she expects to step in is Callum Bruce-rugby golden boy, second year, and her brother's best friend. The same best friend who was warned, years ago, to stay the hell away from Alfie's little sister. Only Callum never really listened. Not when it came to Paige. So when she asks him to be her fake boyfriend-just long enough to keep her ex from circling back-Callum agrees. He'll protect her. He'll play the part. He'll pretend. But the pretending doesn't feel so fake anymore. And the more lines they cross, the harder it gets to remember why she was ever off-limits in the first place. Because Paige isn't just Alfie's little sister. She's the one girl Callum's never been able to stop wanting. - ONC Prompts: 31. Next time, ask yourself if your integrity can withstand the truth. 134. You did more for me in six days than he ever did in seven (four) years.