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Illustrators of the Future 2nd Quarter Winners

Illustrators of the Future 2nd Quarter Winners Announced for Volume 36

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Illustrators of the Future 2nd Quarter Winners for 2019, Volume 36

 

This illustration contest list is the place to be!

 

And the winners are:

John Dale Javier from Maryland
Heather Laurence from Michigan
Phoebe Rothfeld from California

 

Finalists:

Grace Aldrich from Kansas
Andrew Burt from Florida
Thad Stalmack II from Minnesota
Abirami Sukumaran from Arizona
Kendra Yapyapan from New York

Semi-Finalists:

Lauren Arnott from Texas
Suiane Baptista from Florida
Maddie G. from California
Elizabeth Golobish from North Carolina
Alexandra Holland from Massachusetts
Jessica Lin from California
Shelly Pinder from Texas
April Robinson from Arkansas
Gilbert Rodriguez from Florida
Alejo Vina from Buenos Aires
Yidan Wang from New Jersey
Duoyi Dora Yao from California

Honorable Mentions:

Freyja Baileykaze from Washington
Reina Hudspeth from Virginia
Freya Lee from New York
Kayla Smith from Indiana
Emma Smith from North Carolina
Jaime Vado from Ohio

 

Announced as winner to receive trophy

HERE BE DRAGONS – How one man charted his path to success through L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest

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When you look at the tattered edges of old nautical charts, often you’ll find a wicked sea serpent threading through the water. There is even a medieval globe with the inscription: HERE BE DRAGONS. It probably didn’t mean the explorers had run across dragons (although I’d like to think so); it meant they hadn’t explored that location and if you decided to travel there, you would do so at your own risk. You were navigating uncharted waters.

Much of writing is exactly that. No two writers’ journeys are the same because we all have unique circumstances and we are all singularly unique individuals. You can read and study what others did to find their course across the vast oceans of writing and publishing, but in the end, you have to chart your own path, catch the wind in your sails, put your hand to the tiller, and guide your ship to the destination that’s right for you. It’s your journey. You haven’t traversed these waters before. There will be perils. There will be dragons. But if you hold fast and fight to the last, there can also be rich rewards.

A 40-YEAR TALE

My journey to the stage of Writers of the Future has been a 40-year tale. It began at 15 when I submitted a science fiction story and won the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards—the same contest that first discovered Stephen King, Peter S. Beagle, Joyce Carol Oates, and a host of iconic names in the Arts. It became my first professional sale when it sold to Science World. With over thirty first place awards that followed in speech and writing events by the time I was 18, one would have thought smooth sailing to a professional writing career was just ahead. But my story has had several false denouements, thinking I had made safe harbor, at last, only to be sucked into a whirlpool filled with sea serpents slapping their scaly carcasses across my deck, snapping toothy jaws at my jugular. It’s a tale of triumph and woe where THINGS GET WORSE and had I told it to you, you might have even shed a tear … until you realized that no one becomes a professional writer without facing down at least a few dragons of their own.

My dragons were the usual: abandoned by my mother; a runaway escaping a violent father; living with uncaring foster parents; taking foolish risks with drugs because I didn’t care if I lived or died; waking up in a hospital and realizing the next time I might not; building a successful business only to be sued by an SEC receiver for a massive sum I had never earned; winning that seven-year court battle in spite of the receiver seizing every penny we had; and just when the court said no harm no foul and handed us our life back, the recession took our new business, the bank took our home, and cancer took my wife’s health. You know. Dragons.

And then I had an epiphany, as characters often do in the depths of their Dark Night. I had just brought my wife back from the hospital after two cancer surgeries and a second nuclear treatment—in fact, she was still radioactive, and I couldn’t be within ten feet of her. I realized then that I would never be one of those people that achieve that peachy life where health stabilized and finances secured and I could block out the time necessary to become a full-time professional writer. I decided then—against all the foreseen clinic visits and scans and therapy for my wife—that I would find a realistic goal for my writing that I could achieve within my circumstances.

I plotted a fresh course. What would be a reachable destination? I had never lost sight of the fact that winning Writers of the Future had launched many SF writers’ careers—people I knew personally like Dean Wesley Smith and Kris Rusch and Nina Kiriki Hoffman. I had entered the contest for over twenty years at this point when I had my epiphany. I had earned many Writers of the Future certificates—from honorable mentions to semifinalists—all the way back to the first coordinating judge, Algis Budrys. I had also won some major international contests and had achieved a second pro sale to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 2, published by Pocket Books. And I had garnered innumerable personal rejections by the top editors in speculative fiction. I had earned enough positive proofs to know that if I intensely focused even my limited energy and free time on one specific goal, I had the potential to make something great happen. So I chose to focus all my energy on winning Writers of the Future by entering every single quarter, come what may.

CHARTING A COURSE TO WIN WRITERS OF THE FUTURE

Charting that one simple course was the key to changing everything for me. One story, written every quarter, submitted to the contest before midnight on closing day. Meeting that personal commitment in spite of the trials sweeping through our life taught me dedication to a specific task and how to meet deadlines. And in meeting each deadline, I wrote a lot more. I modified my goal to push my abilities to the limit by writing fresh stories outside my comfort zone. The writing came easier, because I was regularly exercising my writing abilities, and I was riding the edge of my imagination. I discovered I could write faster and better than I had ever believed possible. In short, dedicating myself to never let a Writers of the Future quarter go by without submitting a fresh story pushed me to generate the skills necessary to become a professional writer.

Of the fifteen quarters I entered after making that decision, I received honors from the coordinating judge, David Farland, fourteen times—the last being my finalist and second place win in the fourth quarter of Volume 35. But something else happened as my skills grew. I hit a definitive breakout moment.

What’s a breakout moment? In sailing, there is a directional wheel diagram called Point of Sail. It marks out a vessel’s direction of travel under sail in relation to the true wind direction over the surface of the water. A sailboat cannot sail directly into the wind. But there is a point in sail position called close-hauled, where a vessel is as close to the wind’s direction as it can go without losing power. You get to that point by adjusting the sail to the proper angle relative to the direction of oncoming wind and trimming it so the surface is taut, generating maximum lift on the sail. It takes a lot of practice, but you know it when you hit the perfect mark—the sail quits luffing and goes drumhead tight and the sailboat leans with power, gliding like a bird across the water. It’s a rush to go from being in irons—stalled on the water—into close-hauled tack.

A breakout moment in writing is much the same. Writers know when they hit it. You’ve probably experienced it yourself or watched it happen to a friend. For ages, nothing seems to be selling for them, and suddenly, everything is, to solid, career-building markets. Be happy for them. They worked long and hard to get that moment to occur.

My breakout moment happened last November. In the space of two weeks, the wind rushed my writing vessel, I heard that pop as the sail went taut, and my writing career moved into close-hauled trim. I had just had my story “War Dog” published by a pro-paying anthology, and they hired me to narrate it (it went on to win Critters Readers’ Choice Award for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Story of 2018). Two days later, editor Alex Shvartsman hired me to be podcast director for a new pro-science fiction magazine called Future Science Fiction Digest, and the first story I narrated also became a Nebula nominee. Three days later, I got the call I had won a full scholarship to the Superstars Writing Seminar—one of the best writing seminars in the country. Two days after that, I got the call from Joni Labaqui I was a finalist in Writers of the Future 4th Quarter, and a week later she called again with her famous line, “Moon, are you sitting down?” I had won second place. ALL of this happened within exactly two weeks. As I posted the news to my social media, someone joked that I was an overnight success, because that’s what a breakout moment looks like. I responded, “Yeah, I’m an overnight success, forty years in the making.”

WINNING WRITERS OF THE FUTURE

In April 2019, I attended THE best workshop for new speculative fiction writers in the country, conducted by David Farland, Orson Scott Card, and Tim Powers—each writing heroes of mine, each authors of many books on my bookshelves. And I saw the release of Writers of the Future Vol. 35 on the Hollywood stage and was honored to have my award handed to me by Dr. Gregory Benford. But most importantly, I got to speak my heart about my journey, how I had been entering the contest for 25 years, how much I loved the contest, and how I had written a story in 36 hours in a desperate hail Mary at the very end of the contest year and had won. It was a euphoric moment as the crowds cheered to my tale.

And after that whirlwind, you go home. Perhaps this is the most dangerous moment for an up-and-coming writer after sailing at peak potential, close-hauled, soaring under best of trim. You go to a few signings at famous bookstores when you get back and then, no more wind. No cheering crowds. No fans asking for your autograph. If you’re not careful, the wind could entirely spill from your sails. You could lose all momentum. You could enter that dreaded point of sail called the no-go zone. But the old sailors called it something else: in irons, shackled in place. Bad things happen to captains when they lose the wind and their sails luff and the ship enters the dreaded doldrums. When you’re dead in the water, dragons can come, and they can be the worst of dragons: fear, self-doubt, feelings of inadequacy.

Well, I worked mighty hard to get to this particular point on the map, and I’m determined not to let that happen. A good sailor doesn’t let the wind slip from his vessel’s sails. Momentum is a powerful thing and hard-won. For instance, the day I had to drive to Seattle to catch my plane for the Writers of the Future workshop, I told myself I couldn’t leave until I finished suggested edits on a story I had gotten back from the editor of Deep Magic magazine. I got to my hotel way too late that night, but I had met my deadline. My reward? When I came home, I had a contract waiting for me, and my historical fantasy about a Spanish captain will appear in Deep Magic this Fall.

I then read our Writers of the Future anthology from cover to cover. I found brilliant advice from Mike Resnick, directing us to sell the reprint on our stories, especially to foreign markets. I had never thought about this before—when you’re a new writer, you don’t have a lot of published stories to even consider such things. But I knew Future Science Fiction Digest gets many of their stories reprinted for a huge audience in China, and they happened to be calling for stories to commemorate the Moon landing. I had a Moon story! I queried the editor, got his approval to send him “Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler,” and he sent me a contract. The reprint now appears in Future Science Fiction Digest, Issue 3. I was also commissioned to create the podcast.

SINCE WINNING WRITERS OF THE FUTURE

Other good things have happened as well. The funniest? Walking into the local casino where I dance and hearing the band leader announce across the PA system, “Hey folks, that famous author Wulf Moon is with us tonight. He’s been tearing it up on the writing scene!” And a stranger in the crowd actually got up and shook my hand! I guess I can say I’m “Locally Famous!” I also sent a letter to Donald Maass of the Donald Maass Literary Agency to give him a progress update on my novel. Don represented me long ago on a Star Trek novel that didn’t sell, alas. And then, all those dragons swamped my ship. I went to the Superstars Seminar primarily to renew my friendship with Don. We had lunch together, and he asked about my current work-in-progress. As I detailed the world his eyes lit up. He said in all his years, he had never heard of anything like it, and he said to send it to him, to send him anything I’m working on, in any stage of development. I’m really happy he’s so interested, as being a mainstream published novelist has been my ultimate goal. Now, Don knows I won another international writing contest, that I’m published in a #1 bestselling anthology, and he has a sample of my latest work.

So I’m using the gust of wind the good people at Writers of the Future have filled my sails with, but I’m sharing that power with others as well. I post tips on how to win the contest on the Writers of the Future Forum. My “Moon’s SUPER SECRET Bonus Challenge” topic has over 30,000 views. Many have told me the encouragement shared has helped them to start writing and submitting again. Two that accepted my challenge made Finalist, and several have said their recent honors were because of the help and tips I’m sharing. They did the work—all I’m doing is encouraging them to set the same goals that I did that finally got me my win. And I’ve just enjoyed a fresh honor from Author Services—president John Goodwin invited me to be a moderator in the Writers of the Future Forum.

AND NOW ITS MY TURN TO START PAYING IT FORWARD

Navigating your own uncharted waters toward the new world of professional writing will be one of the most challenging ventures you’ll ever engage in, but it’s worth every effort. I hope you’ll listen to my Writers of the Future Podcast interview and a video interview I did while in Hollywood, as well as visit my website at www.driftweave.com. I’ve sailed these waters successfully now, and I’m trying to help you navigate toward your own win. Come join us on the Writers of the Future Forum. You won’t find a better place for new writers to get encouragement from seasoned veterans, there to help you to stay the course. And if you keep beating back those dragons that slither across your deck and NEVER let them conquer you, you’re going to become powerful, and you’re going to discover something.



Writers of the Future Podcast—Wulf Moon


Wulf Moon interviewed in Hollywood

You are now stronger than they are. You transformed. When you unroll that nautical chart, you’re going to be right over that serpent mark, and you’re going to look about, and there’s going to be no one there but you.

Because … HERE BE DRAGON!

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

Arriving to ASI for the start of the workshop
On Hollywood Blvd with fellow winners
Wulf Moon with Alice Wang and her illustration
Wulf Moon and his Moon Dawdler
At rehearsal singing a ballad
Announced as winner to receive trophy
Wulf Moon addressing the audience
A 25 year dream realized
Greg Benford, Wulf Moon, Alice Wang, Kate Linder
After event book signing
Wulf Moon

Wulf Moon

Wulf Moon is an Olympic Peninsula writer, artist, and narrator. Moon wrote his first hard SF story when he was fifteen. It won the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. It became his first pro sale in Science World.

His story “Seventh Heaven” was published by Pocket Books in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds II. A Borg love story. What could be sweeter?

His conquistador fantasy story, “War Dog,” was published by Third Flatiron. It won the Critters Annual Readers’ Poll award for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story of 2018.

Moon recently won the international Writers of the Future Contest. His story “Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler” first appeared in Writers of the Future, Volume 35, and was reprinted in Future Science Fiction Digest, Issue 3.

Moon is an approved narrator for Apex Publications, PodCastle, and Escape Pod, and has narrated numerous episodes for Gallery of Curiosities and Third Flatiron. He is podcast director for Future Science Fiction Digest. Enjoy more of his work by visiting www.driftweave.com.

 

Meet Illustrators of the Future Winner Artem MirolevichMeet Illustrators of the Future Winner Artem Mirolevich

Interview with Award Winning Artist Artem Mirolevich a Decade Later

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Artem Mirolevich was an Illustrators of the Future winner published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 24.

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 24

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 24

Artem Mirolevich: At the time when I was awarded as Illustrator of the Future, it was one of the most important awards I had ever received. Getting such an important recognition was a major career boost. I loved how thoughtful everyone was and how everything was well organized. The experience of flying to the west coast, being treated like a star, and also given an opportunity to learn from some of the best illustrators in the business was priceless. It helped me believe in myself, believe that anything is possible and that the sky is the limit. The staff and everyone else involved were truly amazing and earnestly helpful in so many ways. It’s been twelve years since my participation and I still keep in contact with numerous members, staff, illustrators, and volunteers (!) that worked for this wonderful project. I HIGHLY recommend to all aspiring artists and authors to submit and participate. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Interview with Artem Mirolevich

NOTE: This article was originally published in Russian, and has been translated by Google translate into English. To read the original Russian article, visit: https://aboveart.ru/portfolio_page/artem-mirolevich/

One of a few contemporary Russian artists whose works have commercial success in the United States, Artem Mirolevich promotes Russian art abroad while making it more recognizable and prominent. Artem has done more than 100 exhibitions around the world including #ArmoryShow and #MiamiArtBasel.

Each of his artworks immerses us into a new world, influenced by his cultural heritage, his life experience, and vision.

Investigating the main problems of philosophy and contemporary society, his works could be called prophetic, affecting the inner human essence.

How can an author from Russia become successful abroad and get into the US galleries?

Artem Mirolevich: To begin with, of course, lots of talented Russian artists spark curiosity abroad, but there are several difficult moments.

First of all, the Russian government doesn’t provide any institutional support for the artists abroad, in the United States, in particular, so they have no one to count upon. Many artists from Post-Soviet space ask me to help with promotion, but the reality is that, on the local level, there are lots of sponsors that are ready to help artists, however, private commercial galleries are very difficult to convince to bring in a good artist because they are interested in both the artwork and the artist himself.

This is where the second moment arises: the identity of the artist. Galleries look at who the artist is and what he can give them. Galleries need bright, charismatic personalities who can easily become media personas and attract media attention to their exhibitions. At the moment, the Russian artist represents and sponsors himself, thus has little chance in this competitive market. I believe that in order to sell Russian artworks abroad, it is necessary to create a certain “Russian Pavilion,” which would centralize and promote Russian artists collectively. Until 2007, the Ministry of Culture supported Russian artists, but after the financial crisis, unfortunately, the funding had stopped. Upon realizing that we were not getting any help for Russian art abroad, I began to actively promote it myself. I had neither the resources nor the reputation of the Ministry of Culture, so I went the other way: I turned to Ernst Neizvestniy (at that time, one of the most famous Russian-speaking artists living and working in the USA), and with his support, we organized 10 exhibitions of contemporary art, which had taken place over four years. Some of the artists who were also deeply involved in this project are Igor Molochevsky, Den Porvatkin, and Sasha Meret.

Meeting with Ernst Neizvestniy

Meeting with Ernst Neizvestniy

Several shows were done at the most important art fairs, such as The Armory Show in New York and Miami and Art Basel Week in Switzerland. Kolodzei Foundation provided tremendous support for the Russian Pavilion at The Armory Show. Many thanks to Gala Kovachnina who generously hosted us at Gala Contemporary in Miami and Natasha Akhmerova who helped in Zurich. All of the exhibitions were organized on a voluntary basis, but, unfortunately, this big project was ended. Yes, I received lots of gratitude in my address, but apart from that, I wasn’t able to get anything out of it. I expected that a large community would gather to jointly promote art, but to my regret, no one had any interest in that. Galleries are only interested in the sales of certain artworks, and after they are sold, many authors simply disappear from the market.

I then changed my direction to ArtCosmos. The niche is much bigger because the project represents artists from various countries, the ones who are interested in science. We did a show and a panel discussion with world-renowned scientists and artists in Barcelona, in collaboration with QuoArtist, an international non-profit organization that establishes a connection between art, science and technology, and Espronceda Art Center, an innovative international platform and multi-disciplinary environment for artists. This is kind of a mix of art and science. Very soon, on May 4, my exhibition on global warming and environmental protection will be held in Venice, as a part of the Venice Biennale.

“The Magic of the Wind” by Artem Mirolevich

“The Magic of the Wind” by Artem Mirolevich

You are traveling a lot, participating in various events and actively promoting contemporary art yourself, but in what direction do you think it is going and what are the main trends?

Artem Mirolevich: Since the last economic crisis (meaning the financial crisis of 2008), Contemporary art has definitely become better. It was cleared of falsehood, artificiality, and pomposity, which had allowed to sell artworks for huge money. More real art has come to life, in fact, in all fields.

Right now, I began to take more interest in mixed media arts. Over the last 3-5 years, technologies have reached such level allowing to fully render both the meaning and the visual aspects of the author’s idea, cutting off the amateurs who create low-quality products with outdated technology but position their works as highly conceptual, overshadowing real professionals who have invested an incredible amount of energy into their product. It is fair that these works are very expensive. From the perspective of a person directly within the art world, I can tell what the process looks like: it is necessary to create an idea, but the idea without implementation is practically meaningless. Therefore, it should be possible to technically implement this idea, through drawing, painting, multimedia installation, sculpture or any other technology, and then, bring it to the viewer, while retaining some individuality, for example, humor.

Artem Mirolevich at work

Artem Mirolevich at work

“Crossovers and Dearers” by Artem Mirolevich

“Crossovers and Dearers” by Artem Mirolevich

We noticed that, at the moment, installation is becoming an increasingly popular form of art. It is difficult to imagine any major exhibition without it.

Artem Mirolevich: On a global scale, installation became popular quite a while ago. Galleries and museums gladly keep them in their collections. As an art form, installation has recently reached a new level of quality, unprecedented earlier, and perhaps because of this, its popularity has begun growing both among professionals and ordinary people. If we talk Contemporary art, I think that today, street art is the most honest, most altruistic and fresh, which, in turn, could also be an installation.

I often attend grand contemporary art events, including Burning Man, and I consider it as a cultural phenomenon, which allows us to see real art. By the way, last year, there was an installation, very successful in my opinion, in the form of a popular Russian fairytale object “ИзбушканаКурьихНожках” (literally, “the Hut on Chicken Legs”). I would even dare to say that it was my favorite last year. It is a pity that most art objects are seen only by those who come to the Burning Man festival.

As we know, at the end of the festival, the majority of art objects are burned yet some remain, mostly the metal ones. These objects are getting sold and could be then found in completely unexpected places. So it’s hard to realize that they had once been a part of such a grand festival as Burning Man.

"The Hut on Chicken Legs” is one of the most interesting installations Burning Man 2018

“The Hut on Chicken Legs” is one of the most interesting installations Burning Man 2018

Would you want to create art objects for Burning Man?

Artem Mirolevich: I haven’t yet worked for this festival specifically, but I would love to do this and I am working in this direction. I have a project in mind, which I hope to realize in the next few years, and, hopefully, one day my works will be presented at Burning Man so that even Russian public could admire them.

Art studio of Artem Mirolevich

Art studio of Artem Mirolevich

Art studio of Artem Mirolevich

Art studio of Artem Mirolevich

Please tell us about your work and projects.

Artem Mirolevich: I’ve just had an exhibition at SCOPE. Another exhibition Book Thief is currently taking place in Williamsburg at Figureworks Gallery. I have two more exhibitions, one in Venice in May and one more in Japan in September.

In the first week of March, the largest art fair The Armory Show traditionally opens in New York, along with around 20 venues, each with its own character and approach to art. For example, such art fair as Art on Paper presents the works that are done on paper or out of paper. The Armory Show is unique because artworks could be viewed closely there, unlike in museums where they are located permanently. SCOPE Art Fair presents the works of the living artists aged from 20 to 40 years old. It’s an iconic place that you need to visit at least once in your life before you turn forty (laughs). All galleries and museums of New York are getting ready for this month way in advance so, in early spring, the whole city comes to life. It is really fun, grand and beautiful!

"Arrival and Departure" by Artem Mirolevich

“Arrival and Departure” by Artem Mirolevich

Which and how many works did you present at your solo exhibition at Scope?

Artem Mirolevich: I presented my new works, which I had been working on for the past two years. In my works, I employ such a technique as collage. When creating, I use my own works, and since I am quite seriously involved with etching, I often use my engravings as the basis for the collage. Besides this, I use old photographs that I found or bought, sea charts, and various items collected during travels and exhibitions. This is a kind of my visual journal. The works are quite bright and funny, which contrasts with my early work. Part of the works were presented at the Scope Art Fair while others are currently exhibited at the Figureworks Gallery, which is located in Brooklyn in the Williamsburg area. Therefore, if you had attended both events, you would have seen all my new works.

Works of Artem Mirolevich at Scope Art Fair

Works of Artem Mirolevich at Scope Art Fair

"The Shark in a Big City" by Artem Mirolevich

“The Shark in a Big City” by Artem Mirolevich

By Artem Mirolevich

By Artem Mirolevich

Please tell us about your exhibitions in Venice and Osaka.

Artem Mirolevich: The next big exhibition that I am doing will be held in Venice as part of the Venice Biennale and it will open on May 4, 2019. Therefore, I invite everyone to visit. It will be truly interesting. The exhibition is devoted to the problems of global warming and there will be works of 6 artists including me. The exhibition itself is inspired by mysticism.

As part of this exhibition, a series of plenary sessions will be held with scientists and people dealing with the issue of global warming. For me, it is not simply an opportunity to show my work, but also a chance to voice my concern about this problem, the inadequate governmental action of many countries including the United States. It is a large-scale platform, an opportunity to speak out and communicate with people who are making lots of effort to showcase the existing problem. We really hope that this exhibition will help us achieve real results in solving the problem of global warming.

After Venice, I am going to Japan, to the wonderful city of Osaka. In September of this year, I will be a part of the exhibition at G-77 Gallery, and it will be no less ambitious. The exhibition takes place in a two-story gallery, with its own garden, which, of course, is decorated in Japanese style.

I invite everyone and I will be very happy to see you at the exhibitions!

"The Most Powerful Woman in the World" by Artem Mirolevich

“The Most Powerful Woman in the World” by Artem Mirolevich

Thank you for the invitation, we will be happy to come! Do you plan to organize an exhibition in Russia or the Post-Soviet space?

Artem Mirolevich: I participated in the 6th Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art (with the “25 kadr” Gallery). I really liked that experience, and I will gladly come to Russia with my exhibition. I am interested in doing an exhibition in Yerevan because I have relatives in Armenia, although I have never been there myself. I am also planning to do an exhibition in Tbilisi. Perhaps, this will be a big tour across the Post-Soviet space.

As for Moscow and Russia as a whole, I like how contemporary art is developing at the moment. There is very serious support for both galleries and museums, and the artists, and I think that if this stays, then, after some time, it will bear fruit. And thanks to the creativity of Russian and Post-Soviet artists, this will happen even faster.

"Space Knight" by Artem Mirolevich

“Space Knight” by Artem Mirolevich

Illustrators of the Future 1st Quarter Winners

Illustrators of the Future 1st Quarter Winners Announced for Volume 36

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Illustrators of the Future 1st Quarter Winners for 2019, Volume 36

 

This illustration contest list is the place to be!

 

And the winners are:

Brock Aguirre from Washington
Daniel Bitton from Maryland
Benjamin Hill from Florida

 

Finalists:

Adrian Bush from California
Darya Pauliuchenka from New York
Miriam Presas from California
Mackenzie Reid from Wisconsin
Grace Underfanger from Illinois

Semi-Finalists:

Hannah Chang from California
Yihong Chen from New York
Anna Fiacco from Missouri
Alyssa Forbes from Georgia
John Jarin from California
Madolyn Locke from Georgia
Angela Mott from Wisconsin
Christian Olarte from Virginia
Madrona Redhawk from Nevada
Henry Scott from Pennsylvania
Mackenzie Shephard from Florida
Eternity Shorter from New York
Symphonii Smith-Kennedy from Florida
Erin Springs-McCottry from South Carolina
Alicia Warren from Georgia
Rebekah Wood from South Carolina
Nuo Yan from New York

Honorable Mentions:

Chase Allen from North Carolina
Cristhian Montenegro Arias from Costa Rica
Savannah Barlage from Ohio
Alexandria Campbell from Massachusetts
Andres Cardenas from California
Kayla Clark from Florida
Amiel Djoume from New York
Caitlin Fowler from California
Rebecca Gowdy from Virginia
Brandon Harn from Colorado
Kacie Jones from California
Katherine Knapik from Florida
Freya Lee from New York
Blake Maurice from Pennsylvania
Rodney Miller from Japan
Ana Moreno from Illinois
Lauryn Reynolds from Utah
April Robinson from Arkansas
Robyn Rozelle from Texas
James Sammons from Florida
Tori Shoemaker from Georgia
Zachary Stith from New Hampshire
Erika Torres from Georgia
Mary Visco from Ohio
Zhiqian Wang from Massachusetts
Sam White from Missouri
Cameron Yancy from Georgia

 

Thirty-fifth annual L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards Gala announced to be held Friday, April 4, at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood

Andrew Dykstal and Aliya Chen Announced as Grand Prize Winners of the 35th Annual Writers of the Future

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Andrew Dykstal, a writer from Arlington, VA, has been named the Grand Prize Winner of the 35th Annual Writers of the Future, and Aliya Chen, an illustrator from Fair Oaks, CA has been named the Grand Prize Winner of the 30th Annual Illustrators of the Future L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards for Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests in the genres of Science Fiction & Fantasy held at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA on Friday evening, April 5, 2019. A capacity crowd of 400 people attended the Black-Tie GALA. Presented by Author Services, Inc. and Galaxy Press, the theme for the two-hour awards show was Retro Robotics.

John Goodwin, President of Galaxy Press, said: “This year marks a historic milestone in our contests with simultaneous benchmark anniversaries, the 35th Anniversary of our Writer’s Contest and, at the same time, the 30th Anniversary of our Illustrators Contest. This year was also groundbreaking for another reason, in that, Aliya Chen made history becoming our first Chinese Grand Prize Winner ever selected in either of our competitions.” This year’s event was an Invitation Only Black-Tie GALA which was streamed live via the website, www.writersofthefuture.com, from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. PST on Friday evening, April 5, 2019.

Andrew Dykstal, The Winner of the Grand Prize Writer’s Award, said: “This is absolutely fantastic! I feel that my career as a writer has now been catapulted. It’s a tremendous honor to be here. The quality of the stories of my fellow writers in this contest is amazing. I have made new friends for life. Having the opportunity, as I have for this past week in workshops networking and learning from authors I grew up reading, and whom continue to influence and inspire me, has been an experience I will never forget.”

Aliya Chen, The Winner of the Grand Prize Illustrator’s Award, said: “I didn’t expect this at all. I’m overwhelmed and very grateful! Winning this Grand Prize Award is validation for me that illustration, which is a passion for me, doesn’t have to be limited to a hobby, but it’s definitely possible as a career. I also feel God has opened these doors for me. My twin sister, Felicia, who is also an illustrator like myself, is the person who actually learned of the Illustrators of the Future Contest and encouraged me to enter. We are both supportive of one another, and for that reason we both didn’t enter the competition at the same time. This is a moment in my life I will never forget!”

Joni Labaqui, Director of Contests for Author Services, Inc. said, “This year, our fourth quarter illustrator 2018 winner, Alice Wang, became the youngest winner to ever enter our contests and win, at the age of 15. Submissions for our Writers and Illustrator Contests over the last 35 and 30 years respectively, have come from over 175 countries. This year we had four quarterly winners from England, more than ever before in one year. Selecting the two Grand Prize Winners from thousands of contest entries submitted annually is not an easy process.”

Coordinating Writer Contest Judge David Farland and Fellow Writer Judge Orson Scott Card announced writer Andrew Dykstal as the Golden Pen Award winner while presenting him a check for $5,000. Andrew Dykstal’s winning story, “Thanatos Drive,” was illustrated by Qianjiao Ma.

Coordinating Illustrator Contest Judge Echo Chernik and Fellow Illustrator Judge Bog Eggleton announced illustrator Aliya Chen as the Golden Brush Award winner while presenting her with a check for $5,000. Aliya Chen illustrated writer Elise Stephen’s story, “Untrained Luck.”

The awards show was held in the visually opulent Grand Ballroom of the Taglyan Cultural Complex nestled in the heart of Hollywood. Catered by Divine Food, the GALA began with tray passed Hor D’oeuvres and Cocktails, followed by a delectable Mediterranean four-course meal and the Awards Show, followed a Book Signing and Reception in the plush Foyer of the Taglyan.

The awards show opened with Sci-Fi Stomp and Body Percussion Dance featuring ROV-E, a Mars Rover Robot Prototype from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and dancers from EM Cirque, a world-renowned aerobatics and dance troupe.

Event Emcee, Gunhild Jacobs, Executive Director of Author Services, Inc. introduced Keynote Speaker, Ed Hulse, an award-winning journalist and historian who specializes in documenting American popular culture of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Joni Labaqui, Director of Contests for Author Services, Inc. presented the L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Eggleton, a Founding Judge of the Illustrators of the Future Contest, and winner of many literary awards, including nine Hugo Awards and 11 Chelsey Awards.

John Goodwin, President Galaxy Press, unveiled the 35th Volume of L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future featuring the work of the 12 award-winning new authors and 12 award-winning new illustrators from this year’s contests. Edited by David Farland, with cover artwork by Bob Eggleton, the book also features stories written by renowned writers and illustrators, Dean Wesley Smith, Rebecca Moesta, Mike Resnick, Echo Chernick and L. Ron Hubbard. The new anthology is now available throughout the United States from Amazon.com, BN.com, BAM.com, in Barnes & Noble stores, Books A Million or at GalaxyPress.com

In his Keynote Address, Ed Hulse talked about the Golden Age of Science Fiction and post World War II, with a veritable explosion in pulp magazines. Hulse said, “The Golden Age of Science Fiction isn’t a relic of the past. It has seeped into our popular culture in myriad ways. The Galactic Empires of Isaac Asimov’s ‘Foundation’ series were foremost in the mind of George Lucas when he conceived ‘Star Wars,’ and Doc Smith’s ‘Lensmen’ were among the influences of his Jedi knights. In the first film’s famous bar scene, he even lifted a sequence from L. Ron Hubbard’s story ‘The Kingslayer’ virtually word for word. Van Vogt’s mutant ‘Slans’ were forerunners of Marvel’s ‘X-Men.’ Countless popular motion pictures and television shows have adapted classic Golden Age pulp yarns, officially and unofficially.”

Hulse continued, “These storytellers all contributed mightily to the evolution of Science Fiction. And now you’re part of that evolution. You represent a new generation of writers, alternately building upon and superseding literary traditions now more than a century old. Yours are the ideas and concepts that will shape Science Fiction for years to come. I look forward to seeing how you’ll respond to the challenge of making science fiction relevant to the readers of tomorrow.”

Awards for each of the Quarterly Finalists of the Writers and Illustrators Contests were presented by actors Kate Linder, Lee Purcell, Sean Cameron Michael, Ernest Pierce and Phil Proctor, along with renowned judges specializing in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

This year’s 12 Quarterly Awards Winners of the Writing Contest were each presented with cash prizes and trophies. They included: Kyle Kirrin of Creede, CO, Preston Dennett of Reseda, CA, Kai Wolden of Eden Prairie, MN, David Cleden of Fleet, Hampshire, UK, Rustin Lovewell of Gaithersburg, MD, Carrie Callahan Bardstown, KY, Elise Stephens of Seattle, WA, Christopher Baker of Ramsbury, Wiltshire, UK, Mica Scott Kole of Westland, MI, Andrew Dykstal of Arlington, VA, Wulf Moon of Sequim, WA and John Haas Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

This year’s 12 Quarterly Awards Winners of the Illustrating Contest were each presented with cash prizes and trophies. They included: Emerson Rabbitt of Minneapolis, MN, Vytautas V (Vytautas Vasiliauskas) of Paris, France, Yinying Jiang of Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK, Alexander Gustafson of Essex Junction, VT, Christine Rhee of San Francisco, CA, Sam Kemp of Birmingham, West Midlands, England, Allen Morris of Cleveland, MS, Jennifer Ober of Atlanta, GA, Josh Pemberton of Seattle, WA, Qianjiao Ma of Arcadia, CA, Alice Wang of Bellevue, WA and Aliya Chen of Fair Oaks, CA.

Dr. Beatrice Kondo, daughter of the late Writers of the Future Judge, Dr. Yoji Kondo, and a member of the Heinlein Society Board of Directors, presented Gunhild Jacobs, Executive Director of Author Services, Inc. with a Letter of Recognition. The Heinlein Society is devoted to the study and promotion of the late American Science Fiction author Robert A. Heinlein. During her presentation, Dr. Kondo said, “L. Ron Hubbard established the Writers of the Future contests as a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged. On behalf of the Heinlein Society and issued by its President and Chairman, George E. Rule, I would like to present a letter of recognition to L. Ron Hubbard and his enduring Contest on the occasion of the 35th Anniversary.”

In addition to celebrity and distinguished judge awards presenters, other VIPS in attendance at the event included: Elizabeth Fuller, Kary English, Martin Shoemaker, Jim Meskimen, Tamara Meskimen, Jennifer O’Dell, Phire Whitaker, Gino Montesinos, Daniel Kotto, Edwin Gagliano, Monica Wiela, Gene Rurka, Kelton Jones, Skip Harris and Jeff Rector. Some Renowned Former Writer and Illustrator of the Future winners were also in attendance, including: Dean Wesley Smith (1985 – Volume 1), Nini Kiriki Hoffman (1985 – Volume 1), David Farland (1987 – Volume 3), Sergei Poyarkov (1991 – Volume 7), Dr. Nnedi Okorafor (2002 – Volume 18), Brian C. Hailes (2002 – Volume 18), Darci Stone (2018 – Volume 34), Eric James Stone (2004 – Volume 20 and 2005 – Volume 21) and Eric Flint (1993 – Volume 9).

Event attendees also included 23 world-renowned writer and illustrator contest judges specializing in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy. The 15 Writer judges in attendance included: Kevin J. Anderson, Dr. Doug Beason, Dr. Gregory Benford, Orson Scott Card, David Farland, Eric Flint, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Todd McCaffrey, Rebecca Moesta, Larry Niven, Jody Lynn Nye, Dr. Nnedi Okorafor, Timothy Thomas “Tim” Powers, Dr. Robert J. Sawyer and Dean Wesley Smith. The eight illustrator judges included: Echo Chernik, Lazarus Chernik, Bob Eggleton, Larry Elmore, Dr. Laura Freas Beraha, Val Lakey Lindahn, Sergey Poyarkov and Rob Prior.

Following the 1982 release of his internationally acclaimed bestselling Science Fiction novel, “Battlefield Earth,” written in celebration of 50 years as a professional writer, L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future Contest (www.writersofthefuture.com) in 1983 to provide a means for aspiring writers of speculative fiction to get that much-needed break. Due to the success of the Writing Contest, the companion Illustrators of the Future Contest was created in 1988.

The annual Contests draw entrants from around the globe and are free to enter. Winners retain full rights to their work and each are given cash awards. Each year three winners are selected quarterly for both the Writers and the Illustrators Contests. Then a Grand Prize winner is selected for both the Writers and the Illustrators. Grand Prize Winners receive an additional $5,000. The Contest flies out all winners to Los Angeles for an expense-paid, weeklong workshop given by Contest judges and culminates in a Black-Tie Gala Awards event. The contests promote the arts welcoming diversity, ethnicity, creativity and equality, with no age limits.

In the 35 years of the Writers of the Future Contest, there have been 416 winners and 80 published finalists. The 416 past winners of the Writing Contest have published 1,150 novels and nearly 4,500 short stories. They have produced 32 New York Times bestsellers and their works have sold over 60 million copies.

In the 30 years of the Illustrators of the Future Contest, there have been 346 winners. The 346 past winners of the Illustrating Contest have produced over 6,000 illustrations, 360 comic books, graced 624 books and albums with their art and visually contributed to 68 television shows and 40 major movies.

The Writers of the Future Award is the genre’s most prestigious award of its kind and has now become the largest, most successful and demonstrably most influential vehicle for budding creative talent in the world of contemporary fiction. Since its inception, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contests have produced 35 anthology volumes and awarded upwards of $1 million in cash prizes and royalties. For more information please visit www.writersofthefuture.com and www.galaxypress.com

2019 Writer Winners Group Shot

Writers & Illustrators of the Future Workshop – Day 2

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Writer Workshop: Day 2, Story Ideas and Outlines

While Sunday was arrival day for the illustrators, it was the first full workshop day for our twelve writer winners. The day began at 9 am with a tour of Author Services, Inc. including the magnificent Writers of the Future library which features books, magazines, and graphic novels written or illustrated by contest winners past and present.

On their return to the workshop space, Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game) kicked off the day of writing tips with a history and overview of tense and point of view in fiction. The writers learned the nuances and limitations of everything from first person present to third person omniscient. Card even discussed second person future (which you will appreciate soon).

Tim Powers (On Stranger Tides) gave each writer the random items they’ll be using as story prompts when they begin their 24-hour stories on Day 2. The writers pondered their items, brainstorming what they might do with things like a blank 3×5 card, a tea bag or a tiny book of whale pictures.

David Farland (The Runelords) discussed story structure, teaching writers about the importance of try/fail cycles when writing short stories. Card supplemented the lesson with highlights from his popular MICE quotient theory (detailed in his book Characters & Viewpoint for those following along at home).

After their lunch break, the writers returned for talks on how to get the most out of writing workshops, different approaches to sensory details, and how to transport the reader into your story physically, emotionally and intellectually.

Our trio of famous authors wrapped up the day by talking about where story ideas come from and how to get more than a thousand story ideas in an hour by asking yourself just four questions.

Day 1 of the writer workshop ended with homework assignments designed to keep readers in suspense. Will the writers take the lessons to heart? Will they ever write in second person future POV? Will they ever be able to get the words “beaver water” out of their heads?

Tune in tomorrow to find out!

Reporting by Kary English, Writers of the Future Contest First Reader and winner from Volume 31.

Illustrators of the Future Art Workshop: Day 1, Arrival

Illustrators of the Future Contest winners arrived today from across the US including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Vermont, 3 from the Seattle area, 2 from California, as well as 2 from England. It turns out that Josh Pemberton, Allen Morris, and Christine Rhee were all introduced to the Contest by Volume 34 Illustrators of the Future winner, Bruce Brenneise. Looks like Bruce knows how to pick ’em! Thank you, Bruce!

Their art styles and aspirations range from sci-fi art to fantasy art, character design, concept art, and story illustration.

Upon arrival, the illustrator winners were whisked off to do video interviews and podcasts for social media promotion for themselves, the Contest, and the book. Sharing their sources of inspiration and their hopeful plans for the future. These talented artists are definitely people to watch for.

Gunhild Jacobs, Executive Director for Author Services, Inc.

Author Services, Inc. and Galaxy Press Present Annual Writers and Illustrators of the Future Gala

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Author Services, Inc. and Galaxy Press will present The 35th Annual Writers of the Future and the 30th Annual Illustrators of the Future L. Ron Hubbard Gala Achievement Awards celebrating the winners of the Contests, honoring 12 writers and 12 illustrators from around the world for their excellence in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy.

The Black Tie Event, with celebrity award presenters, will be held at the Taglyan Complex, 1201 Vine Street (at Lexington Avenue, the entrance for Valet Parking), Hollywood, CA 90038. Red Carpet Arrivals begin at 4:30 p.m. Emceed by Gunhild Jacobs, Executive Director of Author Services, Inc., the Invitation Only Event will be catered by Divine Catering. The Awards Banquet will start at 6:00 p.m. Members of the General Public can watch the Awards Show streaming live from 7:30–9:30 p.m. PST at www.writersofthefuture.com. A Book Signing and Reception with follow the Awards Show in the lobby of the Taglyan Complex.

Joni Labaqui, Director of the Contests for Author Services, Inc. said, “This year marks a historic milestone in our contests with simultaneous benchmark anniversaries, both the 35th Anniversary of our Writer’s Contest and the 30th Anniversary of our Illustrator’s Contest. On the evening April 5th Author Services, Inc. will present awards to 24 Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers and Illustrators of the Future that have been chosen as winners of the 2018 contests adjudicated by world renowned Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer and Illustrator Judges. Our theme for this year’s two-hour awards show is ‘Retro Robotics.'”

John Goodwin, President of Galaxy Press, said, “One Grand Prize Writer Winner and One Grand Prize Illustrator Winner will be selected from a field of 12 Quarterly Writer Winners and 12 Quarterly Illustrator Winners, respectively. Our contests promote the arts welcoming diversity, ethnicity, creativity and equality, with no age limits. The Awards Show and Banquet will be held in the Taglyan Complex’s Grand Ballroom, and will be followed by a Book Signing and Reception.”

Labaqui continued, “Our show will open with a Sci-Fi Stomp and Body Percussion Dance featuring a Robot from NASA’s Jet Propulsive Laboratory in Pasadena, CA and dancers from EM Cirque, a world renowned aerobatics and dance troupe.”

Goodwin added, “Bob Eggleton, a Founding Judge of the Illustrators of the Future Contest will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Ed Hulse, an award-winning author, journalist and historian, will serve as our Keynote Speaker. The Heinlein Society, named after the late Robert Anson Heinlein, an American Science Fiction author, aeronautical engineer and Naval Officer, often referred to as the ‘Dean of Science Fiction writers,’ will present Author Services, Inc. with a Special Recognition honoring the 35th Anniversary of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest.”

Awards Show Celebrity and VIP Guests and Presenters will include:

  • Sibongile Mlambo (“Dark/Web,” “MacGyver,” “Siren,” “Lost in Space,” “Teen Wolf,” “Black Sails”)
  • Lee Purcell (Primetime Emmy Award Nominee, “Secret Sins of the Father,” “Long Road Home,” “J.L. Family Ranch,” “Kids Vs Monsters,” “Valley Girl”)
  • Steven L. Sears (Co-Executive Producer, “Xena: Warrior Princess,” Executive Producer, “Sheena,” Producer, “Raven”)
  • Sean Cameron Michael (“The Last Victims,” “Black Sails,” “The Mummy,” “MacGyver”)
  • Hank Garrett (“Death Wish,” “The Amityville Horror,” “Serpico”)
  • Phil Proctor (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Assassin’s Creed,” “Flightplan,” “Dr. Doolittle 2”)
  • Judy Norton (“The Waltons,” “Stargate SG-1,” “Bluff,” “Nowhere To Hide”)
  • Jim Meskimen (“Parks and Recreation,” “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” “S.W.A.T.,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “NCIS”)
  • Taylor Meskimen (“Superstrata,” “The Hollywouldn’ts,” “Chastity Bites”)
  • Edwin Gagiano (“Snake Park,” “Proper Manors,” “Broken Darkness,” and “Villa Rosa”)
  • Kelton Jones (“Dry Blood,” “Townies,” “The Passion of the Christ”)
  • Daniel Kotto (“Forever,” “Blood Orange”)
  • Jesse Kove (“On Wings of Eagles,” “Show No Mercy,” “The Shadow”)
  • Gino Montesinos (“NCIS,” “Adopted,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”)
  • Jeffrey Patterson (“Another Day in Paradise,” “Finding Harmony”)
  • Autumn and Paige Patterson (Twin Sisters, “Another Day in Paradise,” “Hot Bath an’ a Stiff Drink”)
  • Brittany and Brianna Winner (Twin Sisters, national bestselling, multiple award-winning Science Fiction novelists, and Pinnacle award-winning teachers)
  • Ed Hulse (Keynote Speaker and award-winning journalist and historian who specializes in documenting American popular culture of the late 19th and 20th Centuries)
  • Bob Eggleton (Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Hugo Award and Chesley Award-winning Artist; Founding Judge of the Illustrator’s Contest)
  • Beatrice Kondo (Assistant Program Director for the Masters of Science in Biotechnology at Johns Hopkins University and on the Board of Directors of the Heinlein Society.)

Gunhild Jacobs, Executive Director for Author Services, Inc. will Emcee the event, and Joni Labaqui will present The Golden Pen Award and a $5,000 Grand Prize Check to the winner of the of the Writers of the Future Contest, and The Golden Quill Award and another $5,000 Grand Prize Check will be presented to the winner of the Illustrators Contest. John Goodwin will unveil the 35th edition of “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35,” with a cover painted by internationally renowned artist, Bob Eggleton.

This year’s live awards show will be simultaneously broadcast to a worldwide audience via the Internet. Streaming will be live beginning at 7:30 p.m. PST and continue to 9:30 p.m. from www.writersofthefuture.com. The airing time of the broadcast will vary depending on the time zone viewers are residing in. Directly following the awards show the winning authors and illustrators will sign books at a reception to be held in the well-appointed lobby of the Taglyan Complex. This year’s contest winners will also have the opportunity to attend workshops held here in Los Angeles one week prior to the awards show to network with the renowned writer and illustrator judges of this year’s competitions to gain valuable feedback to help them advance their careers in their chosen fields of interest.

This Black Tie Event is by Invitation Only. Members of the General Public can watch the awards show streaming live from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. PST on Friday, April 5, 2019 at www.writersofthefuture.com. To view a B-roll link of this year’s show announcement, please visit: www.writersofthefuture.com.

The 12 Writer Winners of the 35th Annual Writer’s Contest include:

  • Kyle Kirrin of Creede, CO (First Quarter Winner)
  • Preston Dennett of Reseda, CA (First Quarter Winner)
  • Kai Wolden of Eden Prairie, MN (First Quarter Winner)
  • David Cleden of Fleet, Hampshire, UK (Second Quarter Winner)
  • Rustin Lovewell of Gaithersburg, MD (Second Quarter Winner)
  • Carrie Callahan Bardstown, KY (Second Quarter Winner)
  • Elise Stephens of Seattle, WA (Third Quarter Winner)
  • Christopher Baker of Ramsbury, Wiltshire, UK (Third Quarter Winner)
  • Mica Scott Kole of Westland, MI (Third Quarter Winner)
  • Andrew Dykstal of Arlington, VA (Fourth Quarter Winner)
  • Wulf Moon of Sequim, WA (Fourth Quarter Winner)
  • John Haas Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Fourth Quarter Winner)

The 12 Illustrator Winners of the 30th Annual Illustrator’s Contest include:

  • Emerson Rabbitt of Minneapolis, MN (First Quarter Winner)
  • Vytautas V of Paris, France (First Quarter Winner)
  • Yinying Jiang of Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK (First Quarter Winner)
  • Alexander Gustafson of Essex Junction, VT (Second Quarter Winner)
  • Christine Rhee of San Francisco, CA (Second Quarter Winner)
  • Sam Kemp of Birmingham, West Midlands, England (Second Quarter Winner)
  • Allen Morris of Cleveland, MS (Third Quarter Winner)
  • Jennifer Ober of Atlanta, GA (Third Quarter Winner)
  • Josh Pemberton of Seattle, WA (Third Quarter Winner)
  • Qianjiao Ma of Dublin, CA (Fourth Quarter Winner)
  • Alice Wang of Bellevue, WA (Fourth Quarter Winner)
  • Aliya Chen of Fair Oaks, CA (Fourth Quarter Winner)

This year’s 23 Distinguished Writer Contest Judges include:

  • Kevin J. Anderson (An international bestselling author of more than 100 books, as well as a comic writer, anthology editor, record and film producer. Co-Author of the “Dune” prequels.)
  • Doug Beason (Has written 14 high-tech novels. He also served in the President’s Science Office in Washington, D.C.)
  • Gregory Benford (Has won four Hugo Awards and is an astrophysicist who is on the faculty of the Department of Physic and Astronomy at the University of California, Irvine.)
  • Orson Scott Card (New York Times bestselling author of several novels including “Enders Game ” which was made into a feature film in 2013.)
  • David Farland (Coordinating Judge for the Writers; Editor of “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Volume 35;” Grand Prize Winner of Writers of the Future Volume Three; a New York Times bestselling author as David Farland (his pen name for fantasy stories) and as David Wolverton (his real name that he uses for science fiction stories.)
  • Eric Flint (A former contest winner from 1993, Flint has written over 40 novels, both solo and in collaboration and is Founder and Editor of Jim Baen’s “Universe.”)
  • Brian Herbert (Co-Author of the “Dune” prequels.)
  • Nina Kiriki Hoffman (A 1985 contest winner, Hoffman is the winner of the Nebula and Bram Stoker)
  • Nancy Kress (Multiple award-winning author of science fiction and fantasy, two Hugo, six Nebula, one Campbell and one Sturgeon awards.)
  • Katherine Kurtz (Author of the “Deryni” series, “Templar” series and “Adept” series.)

This year’s 23 Distinguished Writer Contest Judges include:

  • Todd McCaffrey (Best known for continuing the “Dragonriders of Pern” series in collaboration with his mother Anne McCaffrey.)
  • Rebecca Moesta (Co-Author of The New York Times bestselling “Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights” series as well as the “Star Challengers” books.)
  • Larry Niven (Winner of every major Science Fiction award. The legendary creator of “Ringworld” and the “Known Space” series.)
  • Jody Lynn Nye (Authored or co-authored over 50 books and over 150 short stories and she has written everything from science fiction, fantasy, military to humor.)
  • Nnedi Okorafor (Hugo and Nebula Award Winner, “The Binti Trilogy,” Publisher’s Weekly Best Book for Fall 2013, “Kabu Kabu,” Amazon.com Best Book of the Year, “Akata Witch,” Comics: “Black Panther: Long Live The King” (Marvel), “Shuri” (Marvel), “Wakanda Forever” (Marvel)
  • Timothy Thomas “Tim” Powers (American Science Fiction and Fantasy author. He has won the World Fantasy Award twice for his critically acclaimed novels “Last Call” and “Declare.” His 1988 novel, “On Stranger Tides” served as the inspiration for the “Monkey Island” franchise of video games and was optioned for adaptation into the four “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.)
  • Mike Resnick (The genre’s all-time leading award-winner for short fiction, authoring 62 novels, over 250 short stories and editing more than 40 anthologies.)
  • Kristine Kathryn Rusch (New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and editor.)
  • Brandon Sanderson (Best known for the Cosmere universe, in which most of his fantasy novels are set. He is also known for finishing Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy series “The Wheel of Time.”)
  • Robert J. Sawyer (Dean of Canadian Science Fiction. Sawyer has won every major Science Fiction award. One of his novellas was the basis for the ABC-TV series, “Flash Forward.”)
  • Robert Silverberg (He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Hall of Fame, and Grand Master of Science Fiction.)
  • Dean Wesley Smith (He is known primarily for his “Star Trek” novels, film novelizations, and other novels of licensed properties such as “Smallville,” “Spider-Man,” “X-Men,” “Aliens,” “Roswell,” “Men in Black” and “Quantum Leap.”)
  • Sean Williams (Multiple New York Times bestselling author from Australia.)

This year’s 18 Distinguished Illustrator Judges include:

  • Echo Chernik (Illustrator Contest Coordinating Judge) (Award-Winning Illustrator for advertising, packaging and publishing, whose work has been featured in many commercial design magazine articles. Her artwork has also been displayed in many galleries.)
  • Lazarus Chernik (An experienced Creative Director, Brand Manager, and award-winning Designer.)
  • Ciruelo (Argentine Fantasy Artist known for the “Eragon Coloring Book.”)
  • Vincent Di Fate (American artist specializing in Science Fiction, Fantasy and realistic space art illustration.)
  • Diane Dillon (Two-time Caldecott Award-winning artist.)
  • Dave Dorman (A Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy illustrator best known for his “Star Wars” artwork.)
  • Bob Eggleton (This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award Winner. Founding Judge of the Illustrators of the Future Contest. Winner of seven Hugo Awards and 11 Chesley Awards. His art can be seen on the covers of magazines, professional publications and books in the world of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror around the world. He is also a conceptual illustrator for movies and thrill rides.)
  • Larry Elmore (Well known as a fantasy artist for “Dungeons & Dragons.” He worked on “Dragonlance” amongst dozens of magazines and book covers. Cover Designer of “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Volume 33.”)
  • Laura Freas Beraha (She was married to the famous artist, Frank Kelly Freas. She won a Chelsey Award for illustration.)
  • Val Lakey Lindahn (Illustrator Judge since the inception of the contest. Lindahn was nominated twice for the Hugo, Chesley, Frank R. Paul and Jack Gone Awards.)
  • Stephan Martiniere (Has received a Gold Award from Spectrum in 2004 and Thea Award in 2001 for his work on Paramount’s “Super Saturator” theme park ride. He was personally nominated for an Emmy Awardâ in 1994 for directorial work on Family Channel’s “Madeleine” series.)
  • Gary Meyer (Master of the College at the Pasadena ArtCenter College of Design.)
  • Cliff Nielson (Best known for his work on “Star Wars,” “The X-Files” and “Chronicles of Narnia.”)
  • Mike Perkins (Comic book artist best known for “Captain America,” “Ruse” and Stephen King‘s “The Stand.”)
  • Sergey Poyarkov (A 1991 contest winner from the Ukraine, who has now become a contest judge and has gone on to a successful career as a fine artist with works displayed in exhibitions across Russia, the United Kingdom, Europe and the USA.)
  • Rob Prior (Artist who paints with two hands, event paints two separate paintings at the same time. He has created comics, most notably “Spawn,” “Terminator,” “Deep Space 9” and “Heavy Metal.”)
  • Shaun Tan (Australian artist, writer and filmmaker. Won an Academy Award for “The Lost Thing” in 2011.)
  • Stephen Youll (Science Fiction and Fantasy artist)

About The Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:

Bob Eggleton was born in Concord, Massachusetts in 1960 and became interested in Science Fiction art at an early age. Today he is a successful Science Fiction, Fantasy and landscape artist.

Winner of seven Hugo Awards and eleven Chesley Awards, his art can be seen on the covers of numerous magazines, professional publications and books in the world of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror across the world including several volumes of his own work. He has also worked as a conceptual illustrator for movies and thrill rides.

Of late, Eggleton has focused more on private commissions and self-commissioned work. He is an elected Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists and is a Fellow of the New England Science Fiction Association.

He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 1988. Find out more at: www.bobeggleton.com.

About The Keynote Speaker:
Ed Hulse is an award-winning journalist and historian who specializes in documenting American popular culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His books include “Distressed Damsels and Masked Marauders,” “The Blood ‘N’ Thunder Guide to Pulp Fiction,” “The Films of Betty Grable and Frances Dee: A Film History.

As a journalist Ed Hulse covered the home video and consumer electronics industries for trade and consumer publications alike between 1980 and 2005. His columns, reviews and articles appeared in such outlets as Premiere Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Variety, Video Business, The New Yorker, The New York Times, and This Week In Consumer Electronics. Between 1986 and 1990 Hulse edited Video Review’s Previews, a nationally circulated magazine spotlighting current home video releases. During this same period, his entertainment-industry coverage was syndicated by the The Washington Post’s Writers Group. Between 2001 and 2007 he reviewed new releases, wrote feature articles and conducted celebrity interviews for the Video section of www.barnesandnoble.com.

As a film historian Hulse has written numerous books about vintage motion pictures and their stars. These include: The Films of Betty Grable, Zane Grey and the Movies, Frances Dee: A Film History, and Distressed Damsels and Masked Marauders. His most recent book, Wage Slaves in the Dream Factory: Low-Budget Filmmaking During Hollywood’s Golden Age, will be published in September 2019. Between 2002 and 2016 Hulse edited and published Blood ‘n’ Thunder, an award-winning journal devoted to the study of adventure, mystery and melodrama in pop-culture media of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 2018 Murania Press published the revised second edition of his Blood ‘n’ Thunder Guide to Pulp Fiction, which has been sold in 23 countries and is used as a text in nearly a dozen American universities.

About The Contests:
Following the 1982 release of his internationally acclaimed bestselling Science Fiction novel, “Battlefield Earth,” written in celebration of 50 years as a professional writer, L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future Contest (www.writersofthefuture.com) in 1983 to provide a means for aspiring writers of speculative fiction to get that much-needed break. Due to the success of the Writing Contest, the companion Illustrators of the Future Contest was created in 1988.

The annual Contests draw entrants from around the globe and are free to enter. Winners retain full rights to their work and each are given cash awards. Grand Prize Winners receive an additional $5,000. The Contest flies out all winners to Los Angeles for an expense-paid, weeklong workshop given by Contest judges and culminates in a Black Tie Gala Awards event.

In the 35 years of the Writers of the Future Contest, there have been 416 winners and 80 published finalists. The 416 past winners of the Writing Contest have published 1,150 novels and nearly 4,500 short stories. They have produced 32 New York Times bestsellers and their works have sold over 60 million copies.

In the 30 years of the Illustrators of the Future Contest, there have been 346 winners. The 346 past winners of the Illustrating Contest have produced over 6,000 illustrations, 360 comic books, graced 624 books and albums with their art and visually contributed to 68 television shows and 40 major movies.

The Writers of the Future Award is the genre’s most prestigious award of its kind and has now become the largest, most successful and demonstrably most influential vehicle for budding creative talent in the world of contemporary fiction. Since its inception, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contests have produced 35 anthology volumes and awarded upwards of $1 million in cash prizes and royalties. For more information please visit www.writersofthefuture.com and www.galaxypress.com.

 

 

"One of Our Robots Is Missing" painted by Bob Eggleton

How Bob Eggleton Created the Cover Art for Writers of the Future Volume 35

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The cover for L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35 is not one, but two paintings by world-renowned artist Bob Eggleton.

We found a piece of art that Bob had painted years ago which had never been on a book cover. The painting itself is a perfect example of the power of illustration and one we really wanted to use for the book cover. But, there wasn’t enough art to be able to wrap around a book.

Super 7 Robot by Bob Eggleton

Original artwork “Super 7 Robot” painted by Bob Eggleton.

WOTF 35 cover sketch

Working together with Bob, we sketched out how his art could be transformed into a cover for Writers of the Future.

Detail of sky and clouds

Based on this sketch, Bob painted a second piece of art to be combined with the original.

Detail of water and waves

Detail had to be given to match the waves and sky to the original art while expanding the dimension of the overall painting.

The two paintings are merged

The two paintings combined provided sufficient art to wrap around the entire Writers of the Future book.

"One of Our Robots Is Missing" painted by Bob Eggleton

Finally, we matched the colors to make it a seamless combining of the two images. The result is the painting “One of Our Robots Is Missing” by Bob Eggleton.

Bob said, “It was fun to revisit a painting I did 12 years ago and expand on it. It was a wonderful job melding two paintings together to make a wholly new one.”

And with this final art, we are able to reveal the cover for L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35.

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35

Bob Eggleton

Bob Eggleton was born in Concord, Massachusetts in 1960 and became interested in science fiction art at an early age. Today he is a successful science fiction, fantasy, and landscape artist.

Winner of seven Hugo Awards and eleven Chesley Awards, his art can be seen on the covers of numerous magazines, professional publications, and books in the world of science fiction, fantasy, and horror across the world including several volumes of his own work. He has also worked as a conceptual illustrator for movies and thrill rides.

Of late, Eggleton has focused more on private commissions and self-commissioned work. He is an elected Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists and is a Fellow of the New England Science Fiction Association.

He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 1988 when the Contest first started.

Another article you may be interested in: Sci-Fi Robots

Illustrators of the Future 4th Quarter Winners

Illustrators of the Future 4th Quarter Winners Announced for Volume 35

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This illustration contest list is the place to be!

 

And the winners are:

Aliya Chen from California
Qianjiao Ma from California
Alice Wang from Washington

 

Finalists:

Ivan Garcia from Mexico
Gillian Griffiths from Colorado
Ashly Lovett from Louisiana
Yo Mutsu from Japan
Richard Romare from the Philippines

Semi-Finalists:

Victoria Campbell from Minnesota
Allison Chen from California
Consuelo Higdon from California
Sang Eun Lee from California
Bojan Milojevic from Serbia
Crystal Modeste from Florida
Sarah Moore from Tennessee
Melissa Posner from New York
Aaron Radney from Missouri
April Robinson from Arkansas
Andy Rogers from Alaska
Michelle Vigeant from Massachusetts
Jabari Weathers from Maryland

Honorable Mentions:

Lorena Campes from Florida
Ben Coombs from Utah
Kayla Fox from Pennsylvania
Caroline Griffith from Florida
Ryan Hamm from California
Eliana Harrison from New Jersey
Doug Hoppes from North Carolina
Ravi Kumeriya from India
Phillip Mandipira from Zimbabwe
Rose Moran from the United Kingdom
Jason Notter from Alaska
Annabelle Pullen from Florida
Emily Schallock from Alabama
Illustrators of the Future 3rd Quarter Winners

Illustrators of the Future 3rd Quarter Winners Announced for Volume 35

/0 Comments/in /by

This illustration contest list is the place to be!

 

And the winners are:

Allen Morris from Washington
Jennifer Ober from New Mexico
Josh Pemberton from Washington

 

Finalists:

Nicole Annunziata from New York
Chase Henson from Utah
Linda Thai from California
Erika Torres from Georgia
Brandon Whelan from Kentucky

Semi-Finalists:

Adam Carsons from Colorado
Kristelle Dirks from Arizona
Bianca Dortch from California
Adam Mekies from Colorado
Evangelia Psoma from Greece
Daniel Santiago from Florida
Julia Talbot from Massachusetts
Joel Tokarczyk from Indiana
April Wei from California

Honorable Mentions:

Sean Bedrosian from Michigan
Anthony DiBattista from New York
Jackson Fojut from Colorado
Camila Frater from Canada
Mayralejandra Guevara from Tennessee
Alexandra May from California
Mary Margaret McKay from Massachusetts
Leah McKay from Texas
Andrea Palmer from Virginia
Chau Pham from Washington
Miriam Presas from California
Christina Rodriguez-Unalt from New Jersey
Nava Saad from New York
Erin Sheehan from Maine
Mariah Stewart from Missouri
David Unthank from Ohio
Cassandra Vincent from Florida