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Writers and Illustrators arriving at Author Services, Inc.

Writers & Illustrators of the Future Workshop – Day 1

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The 2018 Writers & Illustrators of the Future Workshops have officially begun. We thought you'd all like to meet (via video) this year's winners hailing from all parts of the globe.

The Magic Picture

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In this article originally written for and published in Writers of the Future Volume 5 in 1989, Hal Clement, member of Science Fiction’s First Fandom and Grand Master of Science Fiction, deals with how to effectively “challenge readers with the ‘what if?’ implications of a background significantly different from the familiar and everyday.”
Robert J. Sawyer speaking to writer winners

Eight Things New Writers Need to Know

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Here is the next in a series of articles addressing the barriers to achieving your writing goals as a new and aspiring writer from the science fiction bestselling author, Robert J. Sawyer.
Matt Dovey with a cuppa tea

Matt Dovey: Two Years Later

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From aspiring writer to writing contest winner to—let’s find out! It has been nearly two years since Matt Dovey was announced as the Golden Pen Award winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future writing contest. As a contest for aspiring writers, we thought we would find out how winning the writing contest has affected Matt.
WotF finalist Molly Elizabeth Atkins doing research at the library

“Search for Research” by L. Ron Hubbard

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Here is the first in a series of articles addressing the barriers to achieving your writing goals as requested by you, the aspiring writer.
paint brush and pallet

My 2018 Writing Goals. Is This You?

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At the end of 2017, a 5 question Writer Survey was done on the subject of writing goals for the new year. Responses came from nearly every state in the US and we’ve posted the tabulation below. Have a look and see how you fit in.
Jake Marley on stage with Dave Farland and Erika Christensen

Jake Marley: One Year Later

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It has been nearly a year since Jake Marley was announced as the Golden Pen Award winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future writing contest. As a contest for aspiring writers, we thought we would find out how winning the writing contest has affected Jake. So we asked him.
Writer judges Hal Clement, Robert Silverberg, Frederik Pohl and Jerry Pournelle

Why Is Writers of the Future the Top of the Top Writing Contests

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If you are an aspiring author or know someone who is, then this article is for you. Find out for yourself why Writers of the Future is the top writing contest in the world and why you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by checking it out.
International Space Station

Science fiction is the herald of possibility: How fantastic fiction has become science fact.

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Science fiction—earlier termed fantastic fiction and later speculative fiction for its probing, multi-sided search of the world of “What If?”—has anticipated major developments in science and technology for decades
Larry Niven at the Writers Workshop

Tell Me a Story by Larry Niven

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I can’t tell you how to write, not in a thousand words. I’ve been telling what I know as fast as I learned it for twenty-two years. My collaborators now know everything I do. I’ve spoken on panels and published articles on writing. Is there anything left to say?
ShaunTan. Photo by Stefan Tell.

Advice for a New Illustrator by Shaun Tan

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Award-winning illustrator and artist, Shaun Tan, gives sound advice to new illustrators with tips that are relatively universal, useful and encouraging.
Illustrators of the Future Contest

Illustrators of the Future 4th Quarter Winners Announced for Volume 34

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Here are the 4th Quarter 2018 Illustrators of the Future Contest winners for Volume 34. Congratulations to you all!
paint brush and pallet

Science Fiction & Fantasy Art: Three Keys

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Famous illustrator Paul Lehr gives practical advice and three important keys to help aspiring science fiction and fantasy artists.
Writers of the Future logo

Writers of the Future 4th Quarter Winners Announced for Volume 34

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The judging results are in! And here are the 4th Quarter 2017 Writers of the Future Contest winners.
paint brush and pallet

Analyzing What to Write

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When you decide to write a novel, screenplay, or any tale at all, there are a number of things you should look at. In this article, New York Times bestselling author David Farland covers the points to analyze before writing a story.
Defining yourself

Defining Yourself

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In this post New York Times bestselling author and Writers of the Future coordinating judge, David Farland, talks about defining yourself as an author and how that can help.
man writing

More than Fame or Fortune

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Writing tips from bestselling author, Dave Farland on what motivates a writer to write.
The Long Road

The Long Road

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New York Times bestselling author Dave Farland's last post was on “giving up.” He brought up dozens of books that got rejected over and over again, only to finally sell and either win major awards (like the Nobel Prize) or make millions of dollars.
Ciruelo, Illustrators of the Future Judge

Ciruelo’s “Dragon Caller” Provides Magical Cover for Writers of the Future Vol 34

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We are very excited to announce that world-renowned artist Ciruelo has provided the cover art for L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 34 releasing April 2018.
paint brush and pallet

Giving Up

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Sometimes it seems that your life has a theme. In the past couple of weeks I’ve heard from several authors the words “I’m thinking about giving up.” I worry about that. No one ever won a race by giving up.
paint brush and pallet

A Few Tips on the Craft of Illustration

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This article with advice to artists by H.R. Van Dongen was originally published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume X. It covers 5 vital points for any aspiring artist.