L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40, page 1
Discover the newest voices of SF & fantasy as chosen by your favorite authors.
Twelve captivating tales from the best new writers of the year accompanied by three more from bestselling authors you’ve read before.
When her owner goes missing, a digital housecat must become more than simulation to find her dearest companion through the virtual world.
—“The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast” by Sky McKinnon
No one came to his brother’s funeral. Not even the spirits. Étienne knew it was his fault.
—“Son, Spirit, Snake” by Jack Nash
Man overboard is a nightmare scenario for any sailor, but Lieutenant Susan Guidry is also running out of air—and the nearest help is light years away.
—“Nonzero” by Tom Vandermolen
Mac wanted to invent a cocktail to burn itself upon the pages of history—but this one had some unexpected side effects.
—“The Last Drop” by L. Ron Hubbard and L. Sprague de Camp
Dementia has landed Dan Kennedy in Graydon Manor, and what’s left of his life ahead seems dismal, but a pair of impossible visitors bring unexpected hope.
—“The Imagalisk” by Galen Westlake
When a teenage swamp witch fears her mama will be killed, she utilizes her wits and the magic of the bayou—no matter the cost to her own soul.
—“Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” by Stephannie Tallent
Our exodus family awoke on the new world—a paradise inexplicably teeming with Earth life, the Promise fulfilled. But 154 of us are missing.…
—“Five Days Until Sunset” by Lance Robinson
Spirits were supposed to lurk beneath the Lake of Death, hungry and patient and hostile to all life.
—“Shaman Dreams” by S.M. Stirling
A new app lets users see through the eyes of any human in history, but it’s not long before the secrets of the past catch up with the present.
—“The Wall Isn’t a Circle” by Rosalyn Robilliard
In the shadows of Teddy Roosevelt’s wendigo hunt, a Native American boy resolves to turn the tables on his captors, setting his sights on the ultimate prey—America’s Great Chief.
—“Da-ko-ta” by Amir Agoora
When squids from outer space take over, a punk-rock P.I. must crawl out of her own miserable existence to find her client’s daughter—and maybe a way out.
—“Squiddy” by John Eric Schleicher
Another outbreak? This time it’s a virus with an eighty percent infection rate that effects personality changes … permanently.
—“Halo” by Nancy Kress
Planet K2-18b is almost dead, humanity is enslaved, and it’s Rickard’s fault. Now in his twilight years, he’d give an arm and a leg for redemption. Literally.
—“Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber” by James Davies
What if magic could do the unthinkable, and undo Death itself? Would you use it no matter the cost? What would you sacrifice for love?
—“Summer of Thirty Years” by Lisa Silverthorne
Joe is a prospector tasked with exploring the cosmos on behalf of an all-powerful government. Breadna is a toaster. There have been weirder love stories, but that’s unlikely.
—“Butter Side Down” by Kal M
L. RON HUBBARD PRESENTS
Writers of the Future
ANTHOLOGIES
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“This panoramic collection offers something for everyone, with sci-fi and fantasy stories that are both inventive and creative. A solid addition to any SFF collection and a delight for genre fans.”
—Library Journal
“Always a glimpse of tomorrow’s stars …”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
“The collection contains something for every reader of speculative fiction.”
—Booklist
“No other source has brought so many bestselling authors of speculative novels than this series that goes back so many years ago.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Writers of the Future is always one of the best original anthologies of the year.”
—Tangent
“The Writers of the Future Award has also earned its place alongside the Hugo and Nebula Awards in the triad of speculative fiction’s most prestigious acknowledgments of literary excellence.”
—SFFAudio
“It really does help the best rise to the top.”
—Brandon Sanderson
Writers of the Future Contest judge
“The Writers of the Future Contest is a valuable outlet for writers early in their careers. Finalists and winners get a unique spotlight that says ‘this is the way to good writing.’”
—Jody Lynn Nye
Writers of the Future Contest Coordinating Judge
“The book you are holding in your hands is our first sight of the next generation of science fiction and fantasy writers.”
—Orson Scott Card
Writers of the Future Contest judge
“If you want a glimpse of the future—the future of science fiction—look at these first publications of tomorrow’s masters.”
—Kevin J. Anderson
Writers of the Future Contest judge
“The Contests are amazing competitions because really, you’ve nothing to lose and they provide good positive encouragement to anyone who wins. Judging the entries is always a lot of fun and inspiring. I wish I had something like this when I was getting started—very positive and cool.”
—Bob Eggleton
Illustrators of the Future Contest judge
“I really can’t say enough good things about Writers of the Future.…It’s fair to say that without Writers of the Future, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
—Patrick Rothfuss
Writers of the Future Contest winner 2002
“You have to ask yourself, ‘Do I really have what it takes, or am I just fooling myself?’ That pat on the back from Writers of the Future told me not to give up.…All in all, the Contest was a fine finishing step from amateur to pro, and I’m grateful to all those involved.”
—James Alan Gardner
Writers of the Future Contest winner 1990
L. Ron Hubbard PRESENTS
Writers of the Future
VOLUME 40
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L. Ron Hubbard PRESENTS
Writers of the Future
VOLUME 40
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The year’s twelve best tales from the Writers of the Future international writers’ program
Illustrated by winners in the Illustrators of the Future international illustrators’ program
Three short stories by L. Ron Hubbard / Nancy Kress / S.M. Stirling
With essays on writing and illustration by Gregory Benford / Bob Eggleton / L. Ron Hubbard / Dean Wesley Smith
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Edited by Jody Lynn Nye
Illustrations art directed by Echo Chernik
GALAXY PRESS, INC.
Thank you for purchasing L. Ron Hubbard Library Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40
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* * *
© 2024 Galaxy Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Any unauthorized copying, translation, duplication, importation or distribution, in whole or in part, by any means, including electronic copying, storage or transmission, is a violation of applicable laws.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
For information, contact Galaxy Press, Inc. at 7051 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 200, Los Angeles, California 90028.
“The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast” © 2024 Christopher Moran; “Son, Spirit, Snake” © 2024 Garret Nash; “Nonzero” © 2024 Tom Vandermolen; “On Writing and Science Fiction” © 1983, 2009 L. Ron Hubbard Library; “The Last Drop” © 2008 L. Ron Hubbard Library; “The Imagalisk” © 2024 Michael Kortes; “Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” © 2024 Stephannie Tallent; “Five Days Until Sunset” © 2024 Lance Robinson; “Shaman Dreams” © 2024 S.M. Stirling; “The Wall Isn’t a Circle” © 2024 Chloe and Lucy Murphy; “Da-ko-ta” © 2024 Amir Agoora; “Squiddy” © 2024 John Eric Schleicher; “Halo” © 2024 Nancy Kress; “Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber” © 2024 James Davies; “Summer of Thirty Years” © 2024 Lisa Silverthorne; “Butter Side Down” © 2024 Kalpana Mahendran.
Illustration for “The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast” © 2024 Carina Zhang; illustration for “Son, Spirit, Snake” © 2024 Pedro Nascimento; illustration for “Nonzero” © 2024 Jennifer Mellen; illustration for “The Last Drop” © 2024 Chris Arias; illustration for “The Imagalisk” © 2024 Arthur Haywood; illustration for “Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” © 2024 Ashley Cassaday; illustration for “Five Days Until Sunset” © 2024 Steven Bentley; illustration for “The Wall Isn’t a Circle” © 2024 Guelly Rivera; illustration for “Da-ko-ta” © 2024 Connor Chamberlain; illustration for “Squiddy” © 2024 Tyler Vail; illustration for “Halo” © 2024 Lucas Durham; illustration for “Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber” © 2024 May Zheng; illustration for “Summer of Thirty Years” © 2024 Peggy Hooper; illustration for “Butter Side Down” © 2024 Selena van den Nieuwendijk.
Cover artwork Starcatcher and illustration for “Shaman Dreams” © 2024 Dan dos Santos.
WRITERS OF THE FUTURE and ILLUSTRATORS OF THE FUTURE are trademarks owned by the L. Ron Hubbard Library and are used with permission.
EPUB ISBN 978-1-61986-771-0
Kindle ISBN 978-1-61986-772-7
Print ISBN 978-1-61986-774-1
This anthology contains works of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Opinions expressed by nonfiction essayists are their own.
To honor the international winners of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests, we have retained their native spelling styles—British, Canadian, and Malaysian.
Special acknowledgments go to these first readers and beta readers: Kary English, Joe Benet, Bret Booher, James Davies, Victoria Dixon, Andrew Ericsson, Wendy Fawcett, Cara Giles, Jane M. Kaufenberg, Michael Kortes, Chloe Murphy, Lucy Murphy, Leah Ning, John Eric Schleicher, Martin L. Shoemaker, Lisa Silverthorne, Eric James Stone, Don Sweeney, Stephannie Tallent, Mike Wyant, Jr.
CONTENTS
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Introduction by Jody Lynn Nye
The Illustrators of the Future Contest by Echo Chernik
List of Illustrations
The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast by Sky McKinnon
Illustrated by Carina Zhang
Son, Spirit, Snake by Jack Nash
Illustrated by Pedro N.
Nonzero by Tom Vandermolen
Illustrated by Jennifer Mellen
On Writing and Science Fiction by L. Ron Hubbard
The Last Drop by L. Ron Hubbard and L. Sprague de Camp
Illustrated by Chris Arias
The Imagalisk by Galen Westlake
Illustrated by Arthur Haywood
Life and Death and Love in the Bayou by Stephannie Tallent
Illustrated by Ashley Cassaday
Five Days Until Sunset by Lance Robinson
Illustrated by Steven Bentley
Forty Years of Writers of the Future by Gregory Benford
It Seemed Like Just Yesterday by Dean Wesley Smith
Shaman Dreams by S.M. Stirling
Inspired by Dan dos Santos’s Starcatcher
The Wall Isn’t a Circle by Rosalyn Robilliard
Illustrated by Guelly Rivera
Da-ko-ta by Amir Agoora
Illustrated by Connor Chamberlain
Squiddy by John Eric Schleicher
Illustrated by Tyler Vail
L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrators of the Future at Thirty-Five! by Bob Eggleton
Halo by Nancy Kress
Illustrated by Lucas Durham
Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber by James Davies
Illustrated by May Zheng
Summer of Thirty Years by Lisa Silverthorne
Illustrated by Gigi Hooper
Butter Side Down by Kal M
Illustrated by Selena Meraki
The Year in the Contests
Writers’ Contest Rules
Illustrators’ Contest Rules
Get Exclusive Content
Become the Next Writer of the Future
Introduction
by Jody Lynn Nye
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Jody Lynn Nye lists her main career activity as “spoiling cats.” When not engaged upon this worthy occupation, she writes fantasy and science fiction books and short stories.
Since 1987 she has published over fifty books and more than 180 short stories. Among her novels are her epic fantasy series, The Dreamland, five contemporary humorous fantasies in the Mythology 101 series, three medical science fiction novels in the Taylor’s Ark series, and Strong Arm Tactics, a humorous military science fiction novel. Jody also wrote The Dragonlover’s Guide to Pern, a nonfiction-style guide to Anne McCaffrey’s popular world. She also collaborated with Anne McCaffrey on four science fiction novels, including Crisis on Doona (a New York Times and USA Today bestseller). Jody coauthored the Visual Guide to Xanth with author Piers Anthony. She has edited two anthologies, Don’t Forget Your Spacesuit, Dear!, and Launch Pad, and written two short-story collections, A Circle of Celebrations, holiday SF/fantasy stories, and Cats Triumphant!, SF and fantasy feline tales. Nye wrote eight books with the late Robert Lynn Asprin, License Invoked, and seven set in Asprin’s Myth Adventures universe. Since Asprin’s passing, she has published two more Myth books and two in Asprin’s Dragons series. Her newest series is the Lord Thomas Kinago books, beginning with View from the Imperium (Baen Books), a humorous military SF novel.
Her newest books are Moon Tracks (Baen), YA science fiction with Dr. Travis S. Taylor; Rhythm of the Imperium, third in the series; and Once More, With Feeling (WordFire Press), a nonfiction book on revising manuscripts.
Over the last thirty or so years, Jody has taught in numerous writing workshops and participated on hundreds of panels at science fiction conventions. She runs the two-day writers’ workshop at Dragon Con. Jody is the Coordinating Judge of the Writers of the Future Contest. In June 2022, she received the Polaris Award from ConCarolina and Falstaff Books for mentorship and guidance of new talent.
Jody lives in the northwest suburbs of Atlanta, with her husband Bill Fawcett, and three feline overlords, Athena, Minx, and Marmalade.
For more information, go to https://jodynye.com/
Introduction
Once again, I am proud to present to you twelve brand-new stories that will delight you, expose you to new ideas, drag you through harrowing trials, make you think, cry, and laugh. The variety of stories, from time travel to dystopia to the memory of a child’s imagination, is like a library between two covers. You have a treat waiting for you.
Every year that I have been involved in the Writers of the Future Contest, I have been impressed by the talent of up-and-coming writers. They have a vision, they explore it through the eyes of well-drawn characters in a world made vivid by their words, and they bring the plot to a conclusion that satisfies the reader’s desire for adventure. It’s hard to choose the finalists because there are always more than the eight per quarter that I am allowed to select from the myriad we receive, and just as hard to pick the three winners from that group. These are the best of the best.
Another important facet is their perseverance. In some cases, the success of these twelve writers is the result of years of submitting to the Contest. When one story didn’t make the cut, they tried a fresh idea. In this year, each of them succeeded. I enjoyed each of these stories, and I am proud to have been a part of bringing the world’s attention to these new writers.
I know there are many hopeful writers who want to join the ranks of Contest winners, and I encourage you to keep trying. One thing that I have noticed over the last couple of years is that some writers keep sending me the same stories over and over again. Once in a very great while, a story will move up in rank, achieving notice as an honorable mention, to silver honorable mention, to semi-finalist, or even finalist. If a story that you send me has received the same ranking for three or more quarters, it is unlikely ever to be considered for a higher prize. I beseech you to put that story aside, sell it elsewhere, and send me something else. The Writers of the Future Contest wants to help you achieve a writing career, and a career is not made on a single story. It’s like trying keys in a lock. If one key doesn’t work, try others until one of them opens the door.
What am I looking for? I want a story with a beginning, middle, and end. I want your protagonist to grow in some fashion, whether or not s/he succeeds at the goal. Speculative fiction is about extrapolating on things that already exist. Show me new ideas. Don’t retread ground that has been trampled by thousands of others. Let me hear your voice. Tickle my imagination. Introduce me to new people, new cultures. I want excellent storytelling with great characters and imaginative world-building. You can enter once a quarter, with no entrance fee, with a story that can range in length from flash fiction (yes! we accept flash fiction) up to seventeen thousand words, in any subgenre of science fiction or fantasy, even light horror. Please read the guidelines carefully, and send me your stories!
