24 Award-winning Authors and Illustrators
Bonus short stories plus art and writing tips by
L. Ron Hubbard / Kevin J. Anderson / S.M. Stirling / Lazarus Chernik / Kristine Kathryn Rusch
This 39th anniversary edition of the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, the bestselling and most widely influential anthology of its kind, brings you 12 strikingly original stories and illustrations—by the best new creative talent in speculative fiction, all winners of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests. The collection is rounded out with 3 bonus stories plus 3 articles providing art and writing tips from bestselling authors and internationally renowned artists. Experience these powerful voices—vivid, visceral, and visionary—as they explore uncharted worlds and reveal unlimited possibilities.
The Contests were created by L. Ron Hubbard out of his lifetime commitment to helping new writers and artists, and are judged by a hall-of-fame roster of top professionals. The Writers of the Future anthology has provided a spectacular launching pad for emerging writers and illustrators who over the past 4 decades have gone on to publish over 2,000 novels—many of them international bestsellers—and helped shape the field of contemporary speculative fiction as it is today and into the future.
Open the Writers of the Future and be carried away by stories—and illustrations—that will make you think, make you laugh, and make you see the world in ways you never imagined.
Art and Writing Tips:
“Circulate” by L. Ron Hubbard: Hubbard tells the story of fellow high-production writer Jack London, who worked out a formula that allowed him to write even when he seemed fresh out of ideas. This bit of advice proved magical for top production writers in the past and remains just as effective today.
“What Is Art Direction?” by Lazarus Chernik: In the worlds of marketing and publishing, an art director is to art as an editor is to the written word or the music producer is to rock ’n’ roll. We are the voice of reason that helps the artist shape their vision into the finished product. Our names rarely get mentioned for our contributions, but those in the know—know.
“Prioritize to Increase Your Writing” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch: Kris’s life is challenging, but she is still one of the most prolific writers of her generation. Here she writes about what works for her in the hopes that others might find inspiration from it. She hopes this helps you or a loved one. Taking care of yourself includes taking care of your dreams.
3 Bonus Short Stories:
“Fire in the Hole” by Kevin J. Anderson: Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I., faces one of his funniest and most perplexing cases ever—an enlightened ogre, a salamander with low self-esteem, and a raging fire dragon terrorizing the Unnatural Quarter!
“The Unwilling Hero” by L. Ron Hubbard: Vic Harden wasn’t lured by glory on a daring mission into the reaches of outer space—he was ordered out there by his editor.
“Constant Never” by S. M. Stirling: Knights, damsels and dragons, curses and fates foretold—the stuff of legends and stories, but unexpectedly perverse.