Anaea Lay – Winning Writer of 2014!

Anaea Lay was one of 12 winners in this year’s Writers of the Future Contest 2014! She was awarded with a trip to Hollywood for a week of workshops with industry professionals and contest judges, and an award presented to her at a black-tie ceremony with over 1,200 in attendance!

2014 writers winners

The week started off with a workshop led by award-winning author and judge Tim Powers. A random object was given to each writer and they had 24-hours to write a story involving that object. Anaea was given what seems to be a pipe…

Meeting with Author Tim Powers before the workshops begin

Anaea’s object for the 24-hr Challenge!

And they were off to begin writing

All writers turned in their stories for the 24-hr challenge, and next up was the “Big Reveal” where the writers scanned the room of illustrations and picked the one that was for their story. Anaea’s story “These Walls of Despair” was illustrated by 18-year-old Bernardo Mota. To say she was impressed with the illustration would be an understatement.

The illustration for Anaea’s story, by Bernardo Mota

Anaea (left) with Bernardo (right) and the illustration for her story

Following the big reveal, all winners travelled in style to the Bang Printing Plant to see the Writers of the Future Volume 30 coming off the press! They each got their own copy right there as a souvenir.

At the Bang Printing Plant

Winners get an up-close view of the printing and binding process

The Writers of the Future Volume 30

Anaea (left) and fellow writer Megan O’Keefe (right) after touring the plant

The week came to a close with the black-tie awards ceremony held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre of Los Angeles on April 13th!

After getting full hair and makeup done, the winners were ready to walk the red carpet.

All winners on the red carpet

 Anaea walking to the stage to receive her award

Following the ceremony, Anaea and the rest of the winners took part in their first book signing!

Writers signing books

Anaea will be holding a book signing at her local bookstore A Room of One’s Own in Madison, WI on May 8th at 6pm. She will also be at WisCon on May 26th doing signings there. If you’re local or attending WisCon, stop by and get her to sign your copy!

For more on Anaea, visit her blog http://anaealay.com