2025 • Volume 41

The 41st Annual L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers & Illustrators of the Future Gala, held on April 10, 2025, in Hollywood, California, honored the brightest new voices in speculative fiction and art. This year’s celebration marked another milestone in the contest’s mission to discover and launch the careers of the next generation of science fiction and fantasy creators. To see the full list of winners click here.

Cover Art Meets Storytelling

The stunning cover artwork for Volume 41—Creature of the Storm by renowned artist and Illustrators of the Future Judge Craig Elliott—served as the creative spark for “Under False Colours,” a featured story written by Writers of the Future Judge Sean Williams. This collaboration between judges highlights the fusion of visual and literary imagination that defines the anthology.

A Multicast Audiobook Experience

The audiobook edition of Volume 41 brings the stories to life through a dynamic full-cast performance featuring acclaimed voice actors Jim Meskimen, Tamra Meskimen, Taylor Meskimen, and Kirby Heyborne. Available on major platforms including Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, and more.

Global Broadcast Reach

The 2025 awards show was broadcast live on the United Public Radio Network, reaching:

• Over 366,000 viewers via Roku and Amazon Firestick
• More than 1.7 million listeners through the live radio stream
• With global replays, the show has now been heard by over 7.1 million viewers across 154 countries

Get Volume 41 Now

Featuring 15 illustrated short stories by the year’s contest winners—hand-selected by some of the biggest names in the field—Writers of the Future Volume 41 is now available in print, ebook, and audiobook editions. Order your copy and discover the future of science fiction and fantasy.

Read the full workshop recap

Relive the excitement and inspiration of the week through our daily blog series, which includes behind-the-scenes coverage, key takeaways from panels and presentations, and exclusive photos from the workshop and gala.