New European Science Fiction: Stories for a Changing World

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.