Writers of the Future Podcast

Robert J. Sawyer, Dean of Science Fiction in Canada, discusses the importance of diversity in science fiction and fantasy and the value of Writers of the Future in providing a smorgasbord of techniques and styles in writing SF&F and the importance of paying it forward to the community as unique to the genre.

Brian C. Hailes was an Illustrators of the Future winner in 2002. We met up at Salt Lake City FanX and had a chance to talk about his career and thoughts for aspiring artists. With an art career, people don't care what kind of degree you have, they want to see your stuff. Can it sell. Can you make them money? The portfolio is key. They aren't going to hire you if you have a doctorate degree. And you need to tailor your por... Read more

Listen to the panel recorded at Salt Lake City FanX 2019. How do you write short stories that sell? Writers of the Future judges, Kevin J. Anderson, Jody Lynn Nye, Todd McCaffrey, Contest winner Brian Lee Durfee, and Galaxy Press staff Emily Goodwin and John Goodwin discuss the Contest, tips on story prompts and short fiction. They then answer questions from the audience. One hour long.

Larry Elmore, while working for TSR Inc. help set the standards for gaming art by creating covers for Dungeons & Dragons, AD&D, Star Frontiers, and Dragonlance. He has freelanced since 1987, creating cover art and commissions and has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 2012. In this interview, Larry provides what he considers very important ̶ there is no silver spoon to being an artist. It takes hard work, find... Read more

Learn facts and figures of how blood donations save lives in this interview with Galen Unold, Director of the LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, in this interview at the DragonCon Heinlein Memorial Blood Drive where nearly 1,000 copies of L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35 were donated to be given to blood donators. Also, learn more about the long-term friendship between Mr. Heinlein and Mr. Hubbard

Listen to the panel recorded at DragonCon2019. How do you become one of the 12 winners to be published in the annual anthology? Writers of the Future judges, Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta, Larry Niven, Jody Lynn Nye, Tim Powers, Brandon Sanderson, Robert J. Sawyer, discuss the Contest, tips on story prompts and short fiction. They then answer questions from the audience. One hour long.

Many aspiring writers give up before ever realizing their dream of being a published author. Martin Shoemaker did. Then he gave up on giving up and made it. This is his story. It could be yours too! This is his journey to becoming a Writer of the Future.

Wulf Moon talks about the importance of establishing your brand, including social media, selling your books at every opportunity, being positive and making friends. He gives several examples of how to do this. He is the author of "Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" published in "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35." He also encourages you to join the Writers of the Future Forum w... Read more

Rob Prior discusses his art, becoming an artist, how to make it, his studying under Frank Frazetta, why Illustrators of the Future is important. He gives his perspective on diversifying one's talent across several forms of art. And he gives his tips for the aspiring artist.

Illustrators of the Future winner Daniel Reneau (2013) is a pop-culture concept designer for KidRobot. He says that as a winner, the Illustrator Workshop gave him perspective on how to approach art and direct his focus. He discusses hurdles he has had to overcome but ultimately how he is living his dream. Daniel can be reached at danielbdemented.carbonmade.com

DawnRay Ammon and Jenna Eatough wanted a convention that provided the opportunity to take intensive classes and workshops in writing and art for speculative fields from creative professionals. And so they created Fyrecon, offering over 180 workshops and classes by published authors and artists. Learn more at Fyrecon.com or on Facebook @Fyrecon.

Bob Defendi (Writers of the Future winner volume 19) talks about the adage that "it takes 10 years to become an overnight success" and the value of having your own ready-made audience.

Initially an Illustrators of the Future winner in 1993, (Writers of the Future Volume 9), Brian Lee Durfee illustrated for Dungeons & Dragons and "Magic The Gathering." With partial loss of vision in one eye, Brian switched gears and is now a successful published novelist of epic fantasy. Brian talks about how he made the transition.

Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury was a published finalist in Writers of the Future vol 9 back in 1993 who has since gone on to run Orson Scott Card's "Writer's Workshop" and "Forum" at HatRack.com. She explains Orson Scott Card's 3 rules for storytelling: 1. Faith - Oh, yeah?; 2. Hope - So what?; and, Clarity - Huh?

Writers of the Future winners Eric James Stone and Darci Stone provide their advice to aspiring writers and how Writers of the Future brings fresh perspective and new ideas to science fiction—which is one of the hottest tips to winning the Contest.

Preston Dennett tells his amazing story of entering Writers of the Future 47 times since 1986 before finally winning. His is a story of trying, giving up and then giving it another shot. Writers of the Future books and the Forum where he learned about himself in the "Topanga Canyon" story.

Yingying comes from a traditional Chinese background where art isn't encouraged as a career. She discusses her journey in becoming an award winning artist. Winning this competition has given her confidence she needs to continue pursuing her career in art.

Sam Kemp has always wanted to be an artist for as long as he can remember. He has persisted reaching for his dream despite his parents wanting him to be a doctor or a lawyer. He explains how handling one's self confidence as an artist is vital as he had tortured himself due to lack of it. Enjoy the journey of learning art.

Rustin Lovewell is an immunologist and started writing as a means to decompress after a day in the lab. He is now an award winning author. He also has a piece of advice for aspiring writers: don't let fear of rejection stop you.