Writers of the Future Podcast

David Hankins (WOTF) and Sarah Morrison (IOTF) are winners published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39. David's story, “Death and the Taxman" with Sarah's illustration, made for a fantastic package. It was so popular that David expanded it to a novel and Sarah expanded on her art to create the cover and additional inside art. And they have launched a Kickstarter to fund th...

Meet four winners and listen to them give their personal journeys to win the Contest and published in "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39": Elaine Midcoh, author of "A Trickle in History" (www.baen.com/pr-jbmmssa-2022-winner) J.R. Johnson, author of "Piracy for Beginners" (https://jrjohnson.me) Sarah Morrison, illustrator of "Death and the Taxman" (http://sarahmorrisonillustra...

Robert J. Sawyer, the Dean of Canadian Science Fiction, which the Ottawa Citizen dubbed him. He’s won all three of the science fiction field’s top honors for his best novel of the year—the Hugo, the Nebula, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. As well as 11 Canadian science fiction and fantasy awards, the Auroras. If any of you remember seeing the ABC series Flash Forward, it was based on his...

Today’s guest is Echo Chernik, Illustrators of the Future Coordinating Judge. I’m not even putting down her bio because she’s got so much experience in every form and aspect of art. What I’m covering in this interview is what does she look for? What makes for winning art? What makes for somebody to actually come into consideration and move up the ranks as an Honorable Mention and as a Finalist, an...

Lezli Robyn is the editor of Galaxy’s Edge Magazine and assistant publisher at ARC Manor. She was brought into the field by Mike Resnick and introduced to the major names in science fiction and fantasy. She has picked up Mike's mantle in helping writers. We discuss how to deal with an editor providing do's and don'ts on how to present yourself and your work to an editor. LezliRobyn.com

I’m here with Nnedi Okorafor, one of our previously published finalists in volume 19 and now a judge. We talk about many of the things she has done in her life leading up to her amazing career. Her books included Binti, Akata Witch, Who Fears Death, Akata Warrior, and Lagoon. She has also written in the Shuri universe for Marvel.

CEO of Dan Farr Productions and owner of FanX Salt Lake, Tampa Comic Con, Atlanta Comic Con, and Indianapolis Comic Con, was this year's keynote speaker for the Writers & Illustrators of the Future Volume 39 Gala. His topic was pop culture, and in this interview, we discussed the importance of writers and illustrators in creating the characters and stories that your favorite actors perform. We als...

Bob Bly is referred to as THE direct response copywriter for the digital age. We have used him for several years at Galaxy Press. In addition to helping us at Galaxy Press, he has also worked with other “start-ups” such as IBM, AT&T, Intuit, Forbes, Medical Economics, and ITT. McGraw-Hill calls him “America’s top copywriter.” The Direct Marketing Association awarded him the Gold Echo, and the Amer...

While I consider each of my episodes special, this one is especially near and dear to my heart. Lydia van Vogt has been a friend for many years and is one of the loveliest ladies I know. The photo is me with Lydia at the Writers of the Future Gala. She was a German translator for General Eisenhower in Germany in WW II, then granted her US citizenship once he became President. She then became a Cha...

How about this as our topic for this episode: A hideous idol. An ancient slumbering evil. A murderous cult. Today’s guest is John Haas. This is his third appearance on this podcast. Three years ago, in episode 20, when he had just won: John is from Ontario, Canada, and entered the Writers of the Future Contest 10 times over a 10-year period. He won the Contest with his Lovecraft-influenced horror...

This interview was recorded the morning following the Awards Gala for "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39." Dave Henrickson was the Golden Pen Award-winning author with his story "White Elephant," and Dao Vi was the Golden Brush Award-winner illustrator for his illustration of the story "The Last History." We discuss their trajectories to becoming the grand prize winners. View...

I originally met Steve Pantazis in 2015 when he was published in Writers of the Future Volume 31 with his very clever story, “Switch.” I have been nagging him for about eight years now, asking for his novel. Well, he has not only provided that novel, he has done so in spades with a nine-book epic fantasy series entitled The Light of Darkness of which I read the first volume. We discuss his journey...

Jim, Tamra, and Taylor Meskimen have recorded nearly 500 audiobooks, including "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39." They discuss what makes this audiobook such a great listen for all age groups - Boomers to Gen Z - and how it has stories that appeal to everyone. We discuss the importance of imagination and the value of audiobooks in contributing to developing imagination.

This week's guest is a longtime friend, Mark Leslie (Lefevbre) who I have had on as a guest a few times already discussing his Canadian Werewolf series, which I really enjoy! I've never discussed book ratings and what makes something children vs YA vs Christian vs all the other categories. How sex and violence are handled in the different categories. And what is the equivalent of a Motion Picture...

Brian Herbert, author of “Dreamer of Dune,” a book about his father Frank Herbert, discusses his relationship with his father, Frank’s growth from aspiring to international bestselling author, and Brian’s own journey as a bestselling author.

Actors Keli Daniels, Neil Angevine, Taylor Meskimen, Jim Meskimen, Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson), Noelle North, Tamra Meskimen, R.F. Daley perform L. Ron Hubbard's circus fantasy story "If I Were You" for the Contest judges, volume 39 writers and illustrator winners. Circus midget Little Tom Little learns from a book on black magic how to switch bodies. When he jumps into the body of th...

Susan Kroupa was initially published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 10 as a winner with the story “The Healer.” She has since gone on to write "The Doodlebugged Mysteries," featuring a Labradoodle as a principal character, as well as "Treetalker." Her fiction has also appeared in Realms of Fantasy, Bruce Coville's Shapeshifters, and a variety of anthologies. She has lived...

Daniel Yocom is a professional book reviewer. We met at the LTUE (Life, the Universe, and Everything) conference on a panel on getting reviews. Reviews are a very important part of the publishing process, but they aren't something an author should pay for! Daniel is also involved with the League of Utah Writers, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating community, and empowering the writing...

Brian C. Hailes was an Illustrators of the Future Winner in 2002, volume 18. He illustrated L. Ron Hubbard’s story, The Idealist, a few years ago. He is the creator of "Draw It With Me," and is also the award-winning writer/illustrator of the illustrated novels, "Blink," "Defender of Llyans," and "Avila," two graphic novels, "Dragon’s Gait" and "Devil’s Triangle," and the children's picture books...

Dave Sheets is the CEO of Indie Author Book Services. He has been in the publishing industry for over 25 years, working in all facets of publishing, and has turned his experience and expertise into his company, Indie Book Services. In this podcast, we discuss each step of the book production cycle, from helping write the story (ghostwriting or co-writing) all the way through to printed books. Dave...

Today’s guests are Marie Whittaker, Mark Stallings, Todd Fahnestock, and Quincy J. Allen, who co-create the Eldros Legacy fantasy series. Marie Whittaker enjoys teaching about publishing and project management for writers. She is Associate Publisher at WordFire Press and Director at Superstars Writing Seminars. She is the creator of The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch. In 2021, she co-founded the epi...

I met Kevin Ikenberry at Superstars in Colorado Springs and was amazed at how many common connections we shared. He has over twenty-five years of experience in space science education, including managing the U.S. Space Camp program and serving as an executive of two Challenger Learning Centers. Kevin is the internationally bestselling author of The Protocol War series featuring Colorado Book Award...

Storm Humbert was a Writers of the Future Volume 36 winner and published in multiple magazines. Most recent is The Librarian, a collection with Air and Nothingness Press, and Of Wizards and Wolves, a tribute anthology for David Farland, published with WordFire Press. In this podcast, we discuss a Kickstarter for the "Inner Workings Anthology, A Calendar of Fools." Kickstarter link: https://bit.ly/...

Raymond Porter is an American actor and audiobook narrator who is most widely known for portraying the DC Comics villain Darkseid in Zack Snyder's Justice League. But for this interview, he was best known as the voice talent for Jonathan Maberry's "Joe Ledger Series" and for Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary" which we discussed. I also learned that Ray had narrated several L. Ron Hubbard stories. We...

James Artemis Owen is an amazing artist and brilliant author. He is known for his creator-owned comic book series "Starchild," and his fantasy series, “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica” titled “Here, There be Dragons,” which I just finished reading in preparation for this very fun interview! Learn more at: jamesaowen.com/