This book holds between its pages the best new science fiction and fantasy stories and illustrations of the year, discovered by the judges of the Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contests; a veritable who's who in the field of speculative fiction writing and illustrating. "Keep the Writers of the Future going. It's what keeps sci-fi alive." —ORSON SCOTT CARD
Writers of the Future Volume 26
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A very generous legacy from L. Ron Hubbard a fine, fine fiction writer. --Anne McCaffrey
Writers of the Future has record of nurturing and discovering writers who have gone on to make their mark in the science fiction field. Long may it continue! --Neil Gaiman
A first rate collection of stories and illustrations. --BookList
Writers of the Future has record of nurturing and discovering writers who have gone on to make their mark in the science fiction field. Long may it continue! --Neil Gaiman
A first rate collection of stories and illustrations. --BookList
About the Author
With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 325 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most acclaimed and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard.
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By Roy Hardin
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I decided to enter the Writers of the Future contest, I bought a copy of this book to study the essays and winning stories. I was impressed by the variety and quality of the writing. Not only was the book a good way to learn, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The strategy paid off big-time when my story "Fast Draw" was selected as a published finalist in volume 28. I would recommend these books and the Writers of the Future contest to any aspiring writer of fantasy or science fiction.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Each new volume of L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future series of anthologies collects the winning stories from that year's contest. Started in 1983, it has gone on to become one of the most well-known contests for science fiction and fantasy stories. Entries from amateur or unpublished writers are accepted quarterly, with several levels of awards given. The first, second, and third place winners for each quarter earn publication in the anthology and a workshop with professionals in the field. Out of the four first place stories, one is granted the Gold Award, which comes with extra prestige and payment. A companion contest for illustrators is held concurrently, and the winners each illustrate one of the stories in the anthology.
This is the first of these anthologies that I have had the chance to read, and they may certainly vary from year to year. I found that this volume was weighted toward science fiction, with fewer fantasy selections. The stories are interspersed with short essays about the field from well-known authors and artists. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I thought that it was a solid collection of fiction. I'll highlight some of my favorite stories below.
"Living Rooms", by Laurie Tom, was the first story in the collection, and the Gold Award winner. Rill returns home after several years among ladies at court. Her father has died, but the animated personas of each room in his house have remained. Rill must confront the threat of a neighboring wizard while unraveling the secrets that her father left behind. This was a well-rounded story and a solid opening to the collection. While this was fantasy, with wizards and magic, the focus was different from many such tales.
In a unique look at androids, Alex Black brings us "Lisa With Child". Once manufactured as a bodyguard for one of the Agency's Clandestine Service members, Lisa manages to subvert her systems to become pregnant. However, the Agency will not likely allow a self-replicating weapon to exist, no matter what the reason.
"Exanastasis" by Brad R. Torgersen explores a world in which Earth's population has been eliminated to allow its ecosystems to recover. Atreus, caretaker for the project, is re-animated in a cloned body by his humanoid constructions built to resurrect the population from stored data. When his wife is also cloned, he has to decide what distinguishes a human from a monster.
When Izzy left Earth to work on the solar station, she found challenges amid the native Offworlders. Brent Knowles examines the differences of this environment in "Digital Rights". A ghost is lurking in the digital systems, and the exchange of knowledge carries a price.
In "Coward's Steel" by K.C. Ball, Tate struggles to survive in a difficult world. Armed with only a pistol and her long-lost mentor's collection of rules, she stumbles upon a village that seems a bit too inviting. What will be the cost of her visit?
Told from the point-of-view of a sentient tree-like species, "Written in Light" by Jeff Young was quite an engaging tale. Zoi'ahmets (the tree) finds a human girl, stranded in the wilderness of the planet's Dispute Zone. When the youngster's life becomes threatened, Zoi'ahmets must figure out how to save her without endangering the political situation or her own work.
My favorite illustrations were those by R. M. Winch and Jingxuan Hu. Many books don't offer any visual art other than the cover, so I enjoyed seeing these with each story. I think that one of the strengths of this collection is that there are always going to be fresh ideas and voices. I look forward to picking up another volume. More information about the contest can be found at: [...]
This is the first of these anthologies that I have had the chance to read, and they may certainly vary from year to year. I found that this volume was weighted toward science fiction, with fewer fantasy selections. The stories are interspersed with short essays about the field from well-known authors and artists. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I thought that it was a solid collection of fiction. I'll highlight some of my favorite stories below.
"Living Rooms", by Laurie Tom, was the first story in the collection, and the Gold Award winner. Rill returns home after several years among ladies at court. Her father has died, but the animated personas of each room in his house have remained. Rill must confront the threat of a neighboring wizard while unraveling the secrets that her father left behind. This was a well-rounded story and a solid opening to the collection. While this was fantasy, with wizards and magic, the focus was different from many such tales.
In a unique look at androids, Alex Black brings us "Lisa With Child". Once manufactured as a bodyguard for one of the Agency's Clandestine Service members, Lisa manages to subvert her systems to become pregnant. However, the Agency will not likely allow a self-replicating weapon to exist, no matter what the reason.
"Exanastasis" by Brad R. Torgersen explores a world in which Earth's population has been eliminated to allow its ecosystems to recover. Atreus, caretaker for the project, is re-animated in a cloned body by his humanoid constructions built to resurrect the population from stored data. When his wife is also cloned, he has to decide what distinguishes a human from a monster.
When Izzy left Earth to work on the solar station, she found challenges amid the native Offworlders. Brent Knowles examines the differences of this environment in "Digital Rights". A ghost is lurking in the digital systems, and the exchange of knowledge carries a price.
In "Coward's Steel" by K.C. Ball, Tate struggles to survive in a difficult world. Armed with only a pistol and her long-lost mentor's collection of rules, she stumbles upon a village that seems a bit too inviting. What will be the cost of her visit?
Told from the point-of-view of a sentient tree-like species, "Written in Light" by Jeff Young was quite an engaging tale. Zoi'ahmets (the tree) finds a human girl, stranded in the wilderness of the planet's Dispute Zone. When the youngster's life becomes threatened, Zoi'ahmets must figure out how to save her without endangering the political situation or her own work.
My favorite illustrations were those by R. M. Winch and Jingxuan Hu. Many books don't offer any visual art other than the cover, so I enjoyed seeing these with each story. I think that one of the strengths of this collection is that there are always going to be fresh ideas and voices. I look forward to picking up another volume. More information about the contest can be found at: [...]
By evette
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have never been sorry for purchasing the books in these series. And if you have been interested in science fiction and fantasy but not quite sure what books to take the plunge with this is good way to start. You get to sample different genres and with a shorter time commitments. And frankly I love short stories it's not a major commitment of your time and in a lot of ways it's harder to tell a good story in less words than more.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
These are great stories
What's not to like? These are some great SF stories, though the opening story has more of a refreshing mystical feel than it is of SF, it alone is worth the purchase of this... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Lost Weekend
5.0 out of 5 stars
thanks
i was very pleased with the speed and condition of the book. thank you so much and will watch for more of your sales.
Published on February 24, 2011 by babs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back in form
The last couple of years the quality of stories has seemed to decline. This book bounces back with some very strong stuff all the way through. I really enjoyed this read.
Published on January 8, 2011 by HDelta
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another excellent anthology! 12 Good Stories, 12 great ILLUSTRATIONS!
Writers of the Future / Illustrators of the Future are two amazing contests, providing great opportunities for aspiring AMATEUR SF and Fantasy WRITERS and ILLUSTRATORS -- and these... Read more
Published on November 2, 2010 by A Book Is A Wonderous Thing
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