Space Economy Camp for Writers

What could a sustainable, non-exploitative economic model for space look like?


The purpose of this project is to equip storytellers with a solid foundation of economic theory that can drive new and expansive world-building based on sustainable, non-exploitative economic models for space. To achieve this we will bring together a small cohort of storytellers of different media for an in-person interactive “Space Economy Camp.”

Key accomplishments

  • Secured $10,000 in matching funds from Breakthrough Initiatives to offset costs of the upcoming camp.
  • Presented the Lessons Learned document and infographics at the ASU Space Futures Convening in January 2024. Published Lessons Learned Infographics based on the group presentations of 4 shared world space economies to encourage stories beyond the participating writers.
  • Applied for and received the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) Givers Grant Award.
  • Developed “Choose Your Own Adventure Economics,” a cheat sheet for science fiction writers to incorporate economics accurately into storytelling.

Team members

Project contact: 

Joffa Applegate

Funding years:

2023-2024

Joffa Applegate

Project Lead

Mary Robinette Kowal

Author

External Co-Lead

Kim Macharia

Executive Director at Space Prize Foundation

External Co-Lead

Sarah Sward

Event Coordinator

James Schalkwyk

Breakthrough Initiatives

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