Welcome back!

Here is your update on Day 2 of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future week of activities here in Hollywood, California.

The day started off with the writers receiving a tour of Author Services, Inc., by Contest Director, Joni Labaqui. Here you can see them in the Writers of the Future Hall, touring the exhibits of past events, winning illustrations and the library of books published by past Writers of the Future winners.

The writing groups proceeded straight into the workshop with Contest Judges Tim Powers and K. D. Wentworth. The first day was packed with lectures from our judges giving them instruction on the craft of writing, and the tools they need to get published. All of the writers were paired up for the remainder of the workshop, and once the preliminary instruction was done, all of them were given random objects that must appear in their new stories, which they will have to write as part of the workshop this week.

Alex Black (left) and Brent Knowles at the workshop.

Today the illustrators arrived. They came from all over the world, even as far as the Ukraine.

Kelsey Wroten (2nd from left) R.M. Winch & his wife at LAX Airport.

Seth Rowanwood with Joni Labaqui at the Roosevelt Hotel.

This is the entire illustrator group in front of the Roosevelt Hotel on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame.

Once everyone arrived, all of the illustrators met in the lobby that evening for an introduction to the Contest Director, Joni Labaqui and the Illustrator Workshop Instructors, Ron Lindahn and Val Lakey Lindahn.

Join us tomorrow for another exciting day when the illustrators start their workshop and the writers are given some hefty assignments!