@jason These guys are great!
‘Writing is like giving yourself homework, really hard homework, everyday for the rest of your life. You want glamour? Throw glitter at the computer screen.' - Ketrina Monroe
'The War Within' Deep Magic Volume 73 https://deepmagic.co
'Spirit Talk' in The Last Line Issue 7 Winter
'The Mystical Farrago' Writers of the Future, Volume 38
'The Dying Book' Misfits of Magic Anthology
'Whatever Lola Wants' Murderbirds Anthology
'Inspirational Theurgist' Of Wizards and Wolves Anthology for the David Farland memorial fund
'Beneath the Glass Dark' From the Depths Anthology
'A Life of Color' Metaphorosis magazine 8/1/2023
'A Murmuring Darkness' Strange Horizons 9/18/2023
'Out There With Them' Robotic Ambitions-Apex publishing
'The Skykeeper's Daughter' Dragon Gems Winter 2024 Anthology --this story was written in 24 hours at the WoTF workshop.
Temporary Tales of Magic and Hope -- A Short Story Collection of New and Previously Published works.
'A Widow's Word' Murderbugs Anthology
'Whitechapel' The Vampire Survival Guide Anthology
Coming Soon The Malice of Moons and Mages, Book 1 of The Broken Bonds of Magic Series
V37- R, HM, SHM, HM
V38- HM, SHM, Winner (3rd place)
174. Mike Jack Stoumbos from teacher to author and his anti-bullying story
Mike Jack Stoumbos is a teacher who wanted to be an author. This is his story on transitioning from a full-time teacher/part-time writer to a part-time teacher/full-time writer. Mike is a winner published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 38, with his anti-bullying story "The Squid is my Brother."
175. How James Rosone became an Amazon Top 100 Author
James Rosone is the Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of the Red Storm Series and World War III military thriller series. He's an Iraq War veteran who served 3.5 years in a combat zone as a military interrogator and contractor. You can write the best book in the world and no one reads it. Or you can write a garbage book and everyone reads it. It comes down to marketing. And how to do that is what we discuss.
176. Kevin J. Anderson co-authoring with Rush lead drummer Neil Peart
International bestselling author and Writers of the Future Contest Judge, Kevin J. Anderson never wanted to be anything but an author his entire life. We discuss the conclusion of the Clockwork Angels Trilogy, "Clockwork Destiny," which Kevin considers to be the best book he has ever written out of his 175 published books. We also discuss the importance of storytellers and the importance of transparency in storytelling, that you are so absorbed in the story that you can just enjoy and be involved in the story.
177. Martin Shoemaker on Kickstarter book publishing strategies
Martin L. Shoemaker, a winner in Writers of the Future Volume 31, announces a new book, Ulla, based on The War of the Worlds storyline, and the use of Kickstarter to help with the book's release.
@jason Thank you! That was a great podcast. John has a talent for asking the right questions.
As for the status of the campaign, I'm going to be open here because this is a forum for helping each other to learn...
It's Good News/Bad News.
The Good News is undeniably good. My goal was $500 (enough to cover my meager costs). I earned that in two hours. Over the last 12 days, I've earned $1,825 from 81 backers (and counting). By that measure, the campaign is undeniably a success.
The Bad News isn't really bad, but I'm not accomplishing my strategic goal, as suggested in the podcast. My primary goal is to reach new readers using Kickstarter as a platform. Well, of those 81 backers, 58 are friends. Nearly 72%. I am very grateful for those friends. But this tells me that even though I funded quickly--100% in 2 hours, 200% in a day--I failed to catch the attention of Kickstarter's promotion algorithm.
This is important. The strategy is based on leveraging Kickstarter's algorithm, and they may have changed the algorithm.
I'm in a Facebook group for experienced Kickstarter creators. Some of them are reporting that results that would have earned a Projects We Love tag back in February aren't earning one now.
The difference between then and now? One obvious answer: Brandon Sanderson.
I'm not blaming Brandon himself, but his success has indubitably drawn a lot of new publishing projects to the platform. So suppose that the algorithm is something simplistic like "Any project in the top 100 of its category is a Project We Love." Now imagine that the number of publishing projects grows by a factor if 10. The top 100 just got harder to reach.
We don't know this yet. There's no real data, just anecdotes. But it's clear that my strategy did not result in Kickstarter promoting my campaign, and did not result in a large number of stranger backers.
It did result in some promotion. At one point my campaign was #3 in Popular Fiction Projects. (Currently #9.) That ain't bad. But it's not as good as Projects We Love, by a long shot. Kickstarter pushes Projects We Love. Backers have to go looking for Popular Fiction.
I'm not disappointed. I'm grateful for the backers I have. But this was an experiment. And so far the experiment is producing results that fail to support the hypothesis.
And since we're learning together here, I felt I had to share with you.
http://nineandsixtyways.com/
Tools, Not Rules.
Martin L. Shoemaker
3rd Place Q1 V31
"Today I Am Paul", WSFA Small Press Award 2015, Nebula nomination 2015
Today I Am Carey from Baen
The Last Dance (#1 science fiction eBook on Amazon, October 2019) and The Last Campaign from 47North
178. Michael Talbot from Jamaica to Boston on being a pro artist
Growing up in Jamaica, Michael Talbot had always had a strong desire to inspire and speak to others through art. In 2012 he left his home country to live in the US and began pursuing his artistic dreams. He earned his BFA in illustration and graphic design with a minor in animation at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, and has since been working as a Boston-based freelance artist on a wide range of projects, exhibitions, and showcases. Michael believes that all art is interconnected in some facet; informing, complimenting and/or enhancing each other. And although his passion and interest for storytelling is forefront in his practice and craft, he tends to draw from his knowledge in as many areas of study as possible to help strengthen this process. Whenever possible, he uses his rich cultural background from his early life in Jamaica to infuse, improve, and “season” whatever project he tackles, often mixing both digital and traditional media.
@martin-l-shoemaker I’m glad you exceeded your initial Kickstarter funding goal, Martin. And exceeded nice push goals! It’s wonderful writers can find a way to produce their projects even when mainstream publishers say they don’t see a market for it. Kevin J. Anderson had similar issues with his Dan Shambles series, and he used Kickstarter to bypass the publishers that turned him down to publish it himself. This shift in publishing is actually making way for new ideas to be explored, without basing decisions solely on how profitable the idea may or may not be. Congratulations on getting the funding to bring your concept to life, and attracting new readers. It may not have been as many as you would have liked, but anytime you widen your base is a win in my book. Adding new readers to your base is not a singular effort, but a cumulative effort that only happens over time. You keep satisfying readers old and new, and the base grows. Good on ya, mate. ?
As to your algorithm theory, you might want to test it against DreamForge magazine’s Kickstarter, which overlapped yours. They did get that coveted “Project We Love” designation. As I recall, they did hit their initial funding goal in just a little over 24-hours, and it was several thousands of dollars. They didn’t publish their push goals in the initial Kickstarter, rather, they did a video and update stating them as each new goal was reached. The push goals involved noble efforts, like paying writers more permanently, and hiring artists to create original art for their covers. While I’m sure algorithms brought the project to their attention, I got the feeling people inside of Kickstarter chose DreamForge for the special promotion. I saw one of their people on Twitter post DreamForge’s “Project We Love” symbol, and she retweeted my posts and others about supporting DreamForge. When I scrolled through her tweets, the DreamForge project seemed consistent with her interests and other projects she tweeted about. I noted these projects definitely had a wider reach than backing a sole author.
Did the “Projects We Love” designation help? I’m sure it did, but you’d have to ask Scot Noel to quantify it. I did note the designation came later in the game, maybe halfway into the Kickstarter. By that time DF was well into achieving a two thousand dollar push goal on their own. After the special designation, they hit a $500 original art goal, but fell short of the next before the Kickstarter ended. No doubt some new consumers of DF were achieved through the designation, but it’s not like I saw remarkable pledge jumps after it occurred.
So how did DreamForge earn double in this year’s Kickstarter over last year’s? Well, last year was their first. In any venture, your first attempt usually yields weaker results than subsequent attempts. You work from that achieved base, put out consistent quality product, and when you offer your next, word of mouth grows through satisfied customers. Greater success results.
I think you’ll find this one of yours was a great start, and when you do a Kickstarter for the next, it will grow again…because of your original satisfied base. That’s how Brandon Sanderson did it. You build over time by keeping your base through providing the quality product they seek, and you add to your base by advertising new product to wider circles of potential consumers. If you get an algorithm bump, I believe it’s because you were doing all the good stuff over time that makes the magic happen. Not always, there’s exceptions to every rule, but this is a proven method of growing one’s brand.
I look forward to reading your new novel. And in seeing how your project using Kickstarter grows. This really is a new era in publishing, and I wish you much success with utilizing it.
All the beast!
Wulf Moon
Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!
@wulfmoon It's a novella. For contractual reasons, I cannot self-publish novels. My excellent agent handles those.
http://nineandsixtyways.com/
Tools, Not Rules.
Martin L. Shoemaker
3rd Place Q1 V31
"Today I Am Paul", WSFA Small Press Award 2015, Nebula nomination 2015
Today I Am Carey from Baen
The Last Dance (#1 science fiction eBook on Amazon, October 2019) and The Last Campaign from 47North
179. Meet 3 amazing winners from the United Kingdom
The UK is very important to Writers and Illustrators of the Future! Illustrator grand prize winner volume 37 Dan Watson, writer winner volume 36 J. L. George, and writer winner volume 38 Michael Panter were interviewed during the workshop week where we discussed their individual journeys to winner and what they plan to do in the future.
180. Nancy Cartwright, voice of Bart Simpson, provides 6 steps to survival
Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson, wrote and did her own voice-over for her book, I'm Still a 10-Year Old Boy and she is also an artist and sculptor. We discuss her growth and subsequent influence as an artist which includes my favorite chapter, "Six Salient Steps to Successful Survival," which is very applicable to the aspiring writer and artist … and we talk about all 6 steps!
I love the WotF Podcast—always on point with great guests and helpful info for aspiring writers. (Don’t miss the career advice from Nancy Cartwright in the latest—the voice of Bart Simpson!) If you’ve enjoyed the program, here’s a way you can let the world know! The People's Choice Podcast Awards. They’re listed in four categories by my count, and they are worthy. Support the organization that does so much to support you! Cheers!
https://www.podcastawards.com/
Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!
I found this one of the best WotF podcasts. Found him a really interesting speaker - and they have plenty of his books in my library. (Whereas I've had to buy one of Charles Gannon's. Flippin' podcasts are costing me money!)
RJ seems to have found a fan in John.
Here you go, thought I would add an updated link to this RJ Ellory podcast for others as now we nearly 80 episodes latter.
I love the WotF Podcast—always on point with great guests and helpful info for aspiring writers. (Don’t miss the career advice from Nancy Cartwright in the latest—the voice of Bart Simpson!) If you’ve enjoyed the program, here’s a way you can let the world know! The People's Choice Podcast Awards. They’re listed in four categories by my count, and they are worthy. Support the organization that does so much to support you! Cheers!
Thank you Moon!
Yes please all do vote if you enjoy these podcasts.
Here is the link to the Nancy Cartwright podcast:
https://writersofthefuture.com/podcast/#Podcast_180
181. Dean Wesley Smith discusses the brand new world of publishing
Dean Wesley Smith is one of the most prolific authors today, a master of selling the first draft of his stories. He was the first Writers of the Future winner to be awarded in the history of the Contest. In this podcast, he covers writing what you want to write, what you have fun with. He discusses what today are called "guidelines." In L. Ron Hubbard's day, these were called taboos, which he discusses in his how-to article called "Boos and Taboos." In addition to creating his own worlds, Dean has written Star Trek, Spider-Man, X-Men, Iron Man, and Men in Black novels and ghostwritten dozens of others.
182. Larry Elmore Dungeons & Dragons and Dragonlance artist
Larry Elmore become an Illustrators of the Future judge in 2012 and is routinely a highlight anytime he attends the annual workshop. Larry discusses how the original D&D art came to be and, following this, Dragonlance art. Larry talks about how he can just look at something, duplicate the shape, and draw it from memory.
183. Elizabeth Ticknor & Rebecca Treasure making their dreams happen
M. Elizabeth Ticknor and Rebecca E. Treasure discuss the importance of friendship in writing and making their dream of being authors happen. We discuss their journeys, overcoming self-doubt, and persevering to win the Contest.
@jason Thanks Jason! So exciting to have this out there - Liz and I had so much fun chatting about peer mentorship, cowriting, and WotF.
V34: R,HM,R
V35: HM,R,R,HM
V36: R,HM,HM,SHM
V37: HM,SF,SHM,SHM
V38: (P)F, SHM, F, F
V39: SHM, SHM, HM, SHM
Published Finalist Volume 38
Pro’d out Q4V39
www.rebeccaetreasure.com
Managing Editor, Apex Magazine
184. Craig Alanson turned the alien invasion trope on its head
Craig Alanson publishes 3 novels a year. He went from being a paid accountant writing code to a full-time author making 6 figures after only 6 months—as a self-published author! He created Expeditionary Force as a reaction to the “plucky band of soldiers with rifles defeat an alien invasion” trope. These stories are so serious, straight ahead, and unrealistic—how can human soldiers on the ground defeat an alien assault, when the aliens can nuke us from orbit? "I set out to write a military space opera that was a hell of a lot more fun. Enjoy."
185. Desmond Astaire is career military and Grand Prize writer winner
Desmond Astaire is the Gold Award winner for Writers of the Future Volume 38. He is career Air Force who also aspires to a career as an author.
186. Jody Lynn Nye, the roll of SF&F on the future of civilization
Jody Lynn Nye is a New York Times bestselling author and the Writers of the Future Coordinating judge and discusses her vision of the future of science fiction and fantasy and the role and value it can have in forming the future of civilization. She also gives what she is looking for in stories for the Contest.
John Goodwin's podcasts are so good. I listened to his interview with Jodi Lynn Nye and I must say it is very enlightening. Anyone wanting the inside scoop for what she is looking for in a story submission for WotF must watch this.
Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships
187. Scott Dickey, CEO of Podium Audio, on a new business model for audiobooks
Scott Dickey is the CEO of Podium Audio. Podium is probably the fastest growing audio publisher globally, mainly focusing on Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Romance. The company gained international notice for turning once unknown author Andy Weir’s e-book The Martian into one of the most successful audiobooks in the world. In this podcast, we discuss the Podium model and how authors can potentially take advantage of this to get their books made into audiobooks.
188. Em Dupre and Jim Zacarria: author and artist
Writers of the Future winner Em Dupre and Illustrators of the Future winner Jim Zacarria discuss working together for L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 38. We also discuss their journey to winning the Contests and what they plan for their future.
In the recent WotF podcast, Em shared that her winning story was a previous SHM with an additional scene that fixed an issue. However, my follow-up question did not get thru the telepathic time barrier, so John didn't ask.
What issue did your extra scene correct?
Does anyone (include you, Em, if you are lurking 
, congrats, btw) happen to know? Thanks for any insights.
HMx9
SHMx1 (Q2'22)
2xCritiquer for Published Winners (Oh yeah, it's now a thing)
@joe-benet HI this is Em. The issue that my extra scene corrected was the faceoff between Adrian and Raye. It seems obvious in hindsight, especially after all the movies I've watched and books that I've read, but originally I didn't have both characters coming clean about their intentions and actions toward each other. The difficulty was finding a way to make that scene happen without feeling contrived. The answer was if Raye did it once, she could do it again.
I can't wait to read your winning story next! ?
@joe-benet HI this is Em. The issue that my extra scene corrected was the faceoff between Adrian and Raye. It seems obvious in hindsight, especially after all the movies I've watched and books that I've read, but originally I didn't have both characters coming clean about their intentions and actions toward each other. The difficulty was finding a way to make that scene happen without feeling contrived. The answer was if Raye did it once, she could do it again.
I can't wait to read your winning story next! ?
Thanks for the insight, Em. This is definitely a next level up revision you did. Making intentions and actions of protag and antag in a faceoff must have been intense and hard to do. It makes your win even more impressive! I'll have to read your winning story with this in mind. Can't wait!
WOTF results:
Vol 42: Q1 SHM, Q2 pending, Q3 ?
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 3 RWCs, 8 HMs, 1 SHM
IOTF: 4 Rs, 3 HMs
Check out my new website: https://www.amyrwethingtonwriterofspeculativeworlds.com/
According to Winston Churchill, "success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm"
Somehow I lost my Guthington profile, but it's me. Amy Wethington = Guthington = Physa
189. Echo Chernik shares hard won advice to survive as an artist
Echo Chernik is one of the most diverse and successful artists you will ever meet. In this interview, she will discuss the business of illustration and art, including how to charge for one’s work. She attended Pratt Institute and has been a working artist all of her adult life and has built a very successful career, and wants to share her hard-won advice.
190. N. V. Haskell from occupational therapist to award winning author
N. V. Haskell is a winner published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 38 with her story, “The Mystical Farrago.” Nicole has been in healthcare for 30 years as an occupational therapist and loves people and has developed an understanding that translates into amazing character development in her award-winning storytelling. Learn more at www.nvhaskell.com/N.V.Haskell.
191. Ken Liu AMC Pantheon based on his stories in The Hidden Girl
Ken Liu is a multiple Hugo Award-winning American author of science fiction and fantasy. AMC’s Pantheon was created around the Singularity-based stories in The Hidden Girl, a collection of short stories by Ken. His story, “The Paper Menagerie,” is the first piece of fiction to win three literary genre awards: the Hugo, the Nebula, and the World Fantasy Award. He was a Writers of the Future Published finalist in 2003 with the story “Gossamer.” He also consults and speaks publicly on various subjects such as cryptocurrency, futurism, implications of new technologies, science fiction, virtual reality, and sustainable storytelling.
