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More than Fame or Fortune

December 12, 2017

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

The Long Road

The Long Road

November 28, 2017

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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

November 16, 2017

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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.

Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle at a book signing

Giving Up

November 16, 2017

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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

November 13, 2017

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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.

Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle at a book signing

Lou J. Berger on Writers of the Future

November 9, 2017

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Lou J. Berger writes about his experience with the Writers of the Future Contest and his journey as a writer.

dart board

Precision

November 6, 2017

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Writers of the Future Coordinating Judge and bestselling author, Dave Farland discusses why some stories just aren’t publishable and it usually narrows down to a few common mistakes.

stack of blocks balanced

Questions of Balance

November 1, 2017

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Writers of the Future Coordinating Judge, David Farland, passes on his tips on writing stories that are well balanced.

superhero breaking through the page

Breaking into Comics

October 26, 2017

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Julius Schwartz had a long and distinguished career both in science fiction and in comics. And in this article he gives his tips for writers and illustrators who want to break into comics.

man looking at bulletin board

Avoid Hesitation

October 26, 2017

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When you sit down to write a story or the opening to a scene, you’re presented with a problem: how to begin? As a contest judge, I see too many tales that don’t work—right from the very first sentence.

Playing the odds

Writers of the Future: Playing the Odds

October 23, 2017

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A friend recently asked me about ways to improve your chances in the Writers of the Future contest. I thought it was a good question, and I thought my answers were a nice summary of lessons learned. So I decided to share them here as a simple set of “rules”

Edd Cartier in his studio

Notes to the New Artist by Edd Cartier

October 19, 2017

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Artist Edd Cartier, with over 50 years of experience in the field of illustration and commercial art, wrote this article with words of advice for new science fiction and fantasy illustrators.

Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle at a book signing

Spectacular Settings

October 18, 2017

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I mentioned last week that when I judge a story, one of the simple things I look at is your setting. There are so many aspects to setting, here's a look at just a few.

Illustration for “Everything You Have Seen” by Karsen Slater

Imagination

October 12, 2017

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New York Times bestselling author and Coordinating Judge for the Writers of the Future Dave Farland gives tips on writing, taking up the subject of imagination and originality.

Dr. Yoji Kondo talking to the writer winners at the Writers of the Future Workshop, 2006

On Writing Science Fiction by Dr. Yoji Kondo

October 10, 2017

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"On Writing Science Fiction" is an article by Dr. Yoji Kondo with tips on writing. It originally appeared in Writers of the Future Volume 14.

Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle at a book signing

Illustrators of the Future 3rd Quarter 2017 Winners Announced

October 4, 2017

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The judging is in on the 3rd Quarter of the Illustrators of the Future Contest and the winners have been announced.

Small kids handing soldier a ball

Character Traits

October 4, 2017

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New York Times bestselling author Dave Farland gives tips on characterization in story writing including common problems to avoid.

Salt Lake Comic Con 2017

Galaxy Press Rocked the Salt (Salt Lake City that is…)

September 28, 2017

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We attended the Salt Lake City Comic Con which took place at the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City with over 100,000 attendees over the 3-day event.

Thumbs up

A Guide to Critiquing a Story: Seven Vital Elements Every Story Must Have

September 27, 2017

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Frequently authors ask if I have a “form” that I used to help me critique a story. Given the large number of things that I look at in a story, any form that I had would simply be too long to be workable. Yet it makes sense to try to codify the critiquing process.

Vida Cruz, WotF 2nd Quarter 2017 winner

Meet the Winners – Vida Cruz – 2nd Q 2017

September 20, 2017

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When it comes to writing advice, many writers will tell you not to stop writing. I’m going to be contradictory for a bit and tell you that yes, you should stop—at the right time, for the right reasons.

Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle at a book signing

Building Plausible Futures by Jerry Pournelle

September 13, 2017

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This article by Dr. Jerry Pournelle was originally published in Writers of the Future Volume III. Timeless advice then and now.