Moscow, October 14, 2025 – The International Science Fiction Literary Prize “Future History” announces the launch of a partnership with leading Russian publishing house Eksmo. Eksmo becomes the official partner of the “Best Short Story” category.
This partnership marks an important milestone in the Prize’s development. As a recognized leader in Russia’s book market, Eksmo will be a reliable pillar for a key initiative of the Prize: preparing and publishing a collection of the best stories by finalists and winners. The collection, to be released following the Prize Awards ceremony, will receive robust editorial and distribution support, ensuring wide availability of new science-fiction talent to readers across Russia and beyond.
“For the ‘Future History’ Prize, cooperation with Eksmo is more than a partnership – it is a strategic alliance that significantly strengthens our position,” said Elena Mironenko, CEO of the ATOM Foundation. “The expertise, resources, and market presence of such a major player are invaluable to our mission of discovering and promoting outstanding authors in the science-fiction genre. We are confident that the joint short story collection will become a notable literary event and introduce new names to a broad readership.”
The partnership also includes the participation of Eksmo representatives on the Prize jury. Their professional perspective and deep understanding of contemporary literary trends – especially in speculative fiction – will make a meaningful contribution to an objective and authoritative evaluation of works submitted to the “Best Short Story” category.
“Interest in speculative fiction is gradually reviving. Today, authors work at the intersection of genres; naturally, readers are drawn to themes like artificial intelligence, reflections on the human role in a rapidly changing, technology-saturated world; transhumanism, terraforming, ecology, quantum realities, and a return to classic space operas–enriched with new elements and contemporary concerns,” noted Evgeny Kapiev, CEO of Eksmo.
He added that demand for books by Russian science-fiction authors is growing: in the first eight months of this year, their sales increased by 6% compared to 2024. Among domestic bestsellers are Eduard Verkin’s new release Magpie on the Gallows and enduring favorites such as The Settlement by Kir Bulychev, and three novels by Ivan Yefremov – The Hour of the Bull, Andromeda Nebula, and The Razor’s Edge. International long-sellers include Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (with cumulative Russian sales exceeding 2,000,000 copies) and The Martian Chronicles, as well as Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy.
Eksmo consistently brings new authors to the fore and sees strong prospects for the development of speculative fiction. Together with our partners, we are doing everything to ensure this genre in our country has both a history and a future.
The partnership with Eksmo strengthens the international standing of the “Future History” International Science Fiction Literary Prize and opens new opportunities for finalists and winners, whose works will receive the support of one of the most influential players in the publishing market.
About the “Future History” Prize
Established by the ATOM Foundation for the Development of Scientific, Educational, and Communication Initiatives under the auspices of the State Atomic Corporation Rosatom, the “Future History” Prize is an important platform for discovering fresh ideas and new voices in science fiction, with a focus on stories imbued with technological optimism. The Prize encourages authors to create worlds where science and progress drive positive change and bold ideas resonate with readers. It promotes science fiction that presents the future not as a threat, but as an opportunity for the harmonious advancement of humanity and technology.
Awards are presented in three categories: Best Short Story, Best Story for Children and Young Adults, and Best Story in a Foreign Language.
More information is available at the Prize website: https://fhistory.ru/.
About Eksmo publishing house
Founded in 1991, Eksmo is part of the Eksmo-AST publishing group and is listed in the Global 50 ranking of the world’s largest publishing companies, at No. 35. Eksmo publishes books across virtually all genres for the widest readership, maintains a powerful distribution network with presence in all regions of Russia, and actively develops international cooperation. The company ranks among the leaders in publishing fantasy and science-fiction literature in Russia.
Media Contacts
Renata Garifullina, Head of Press Office, “Future History” Prize
Tel.: +7 (926) 742-17-56
E-mail: dorianr@mail.ru
This partnership marks an important milestone in the Prize’s development. As a recognized leader in Russia’s book market, Eksmo will be a reliable pillar for a key initiative of the Prize: preparing and publishing a collection of the best stories by finalists and winners. The collection, to be released following the Prize Awards ceremony, will receive robust editorial and distribution support, ensuring wide availability of new science-fiction talent to readers across Russia and beyond.
“For the ‘Future History’ Prize, cooperation with Eksmo is more than a partnership – it is a strategic alliance that significantly strengthens our position,” said Elena Mironenko, CEO of the ATOM Foundation. “The expertise, resources, and market presence of such a major player are invaluable to our mission of discovering and promoting outstanding authors in the science-fiction genre. We are confident that the joint short story collection will become a notable literary event and introduce new names to a broad readership.”
The partnership also includes the participation of Eksmo representatives on the Prize jury. Their professional perspective and deep understanding of contemporary literary trends – especially in speculative fiction – will make a meaningful contribution to an objective and authoritative evaluation of works submitted to the “Best Short Story” category.
“Interest in speculative fiction is gradually reviving. Today, authors work at the intersection of genres; naturally, readers are drawn to themes like artificial intelligence, reflections on the human role in a rapidly changing, technology-saturated world; transhumanism, terraforming, ecology, quantum realities, and a return to classic space operas–enriched with new elements and contemporary concerns,” noted Evgeny Kapiev, CEO of Eksmo.
He added that demand for books by Russian science-fiction authors is growing: in the first eight months of this year, their sales increased by 6% compared to 2024. Among domestic bestsellers are Eduard Verkin’s new release Magpie on the Gallows and enduring favorites such as The Settlement by Kir Bulychev, and three novels by Ivan Yefremov – The Hour of the Bull, Andromeda Nebula, and The Razor’s Edge. International long-sellers include Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 (with cumulative Russian sales exceeding 2,000,000 copies) and The Martian Chronicles, as well as Liu Cixin’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy.
Eksmo consistently brings new authors to the fore and sees strong prospects for the development of speculative fiction. Together with our partners, we are doing everything to ensure this genre in our country has both a history and a future.
The partnership with Eksmo strengthens the international standing of the “Future History” International Science Fiction Literary Prize and opens new opportunities for finalists and winners, whose works will receive the support of one of the most influential players in the publishing market.
About the “Future History” Prize
Established by the ATOM Foundation for the Development of Scientific, Educational, and Communication Initiatives under the auspices of the State Atomic Corporation Rosatom, the “Future History” Prize is an important platform for discovering fresh ideas and new voices in science fiction, with a focus on stories imbued with technological optimism. The Prize encourages authors to create worlds where science and progress drive positive change and bold ideas resonate with readers. It promotes science fiction that presents the future not as a threat, but as an opportunity for the harmonious advancement of humanity and technology.
Awards are presented in three categories: Best Short Story, Best Story for Children and Young Adults, and Best Story in a Foreign Language.
More information is available at the Prize website: https://fhistory.ru/.
About Eksmo publishing house
Founded in 1991, Eksmo is part of the Eksmo-AST publishing group and is listed in the Global 50 ranking of the world’s largest publishing companies, at No. 35. Eksmo publishes books across virtually all genres for the widest readership, maintains a powerful distribution network with presence in all regions of Russia, and actively develops international cooperation. The company ranks among the leaders in publishing fantasy and science-fiction literature in Russia.
Media Contacts
Renata Garifullina, Head of Press Office, “Future History” Prize
Tel.: +7 (926) 742-17-56
E-mail: dorianr@mail.ru