L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast Hits #1 Fiction Writing Podcast in U.S.

The L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast took the #1 position as top fiction writing podcast in the U.S., as reported by Million Podcasts, a website tracking U.S. podcasts. The Podcast was created in 2019 to provide writing and illustration tips and advice from Contest judges, Contest winners, and industry professionals, helping writers and artists take the next step on their creative journey. It is based on the world-famous Writers of the Future Contest created in 1983 by L. Ron Hubbard.

The need to help aspiring writers and artists is very real. Over 4.1 million books with ISBN-registered titles were published in the U.S. alone in 2025, with 75% self-published (roughly 3.5 million). “I wanted to provide real-life examples of what other writers and artists, many of whom are extremely successful now, went through on their journeys to success,” stated John Goodwin, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast host. “I won’t interview an author without first reading one of their books, so I can better understand them. This makes each episode both entertaining and enlightening.” Among all the guests, there is at least one story that anyone can relate to and be inspired by.

The Podcast is grounded on the very principles that inspired L. Ron Hubbard to create the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests. “A culture is as rich and as capable of surviving as it has imaginative artists.”

Past guests have commented on the success of the podcast:

“The Writers of the Future podcast is the go-to place for expert advice on the writing of science fiction and fantasy.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of  The Oppenheimer Alternative.

“The Writers of the Future podcast isn’t just an interview—it’s an in-depth conversation, in which topics are freshly and thoroughly considered.” —Tim Powers, three-time World Fantasy Award winner and author of Anubis Gates.

“It celebrates the magic of storytelling while digging into the nuts and bolts of the craft.” —Neo Edmund, actor—Power Rangers, author of Tale of Red Riding.

“One of the most interesting ways to learn about what it means to be a writer, and how writers set about that sometimes challenging task.” —Nancy Kress, author of Beggars in Spain.

“A fantastic resource for readers and newer writers to learn about the craft and forthcoming books.” —Alex Shvartsman, author of Kakistocracy.

“Five stars and the rating is warranted and deserved!!” —Mickey Mikkelson, Publicist, Creative Edge.

In addition to Contest winners, guests of the Podcast have included such industry giants as Craig Alanson (Expeditionary Force series), Paige Allen (Director Ingram Spark), Kevin J. Anderson (Saga of Seven Suns), Bob Boze Bell (editor True West Magazine), Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game), Echo Chernik (Art Nouveau artist), Owen Cotter (SciFiction.com), Kellen Cuttsforth (Executive Director Western Writers of America), Tom Doherty (Publisher of Tor), Bob Eggleton (winner of 11 Chesley Awards), Larry Elmore (Dragonlance artist), Brian Herbert (Dune prequels), Hugh Howey (Silo), Brandon Mull (Fablehaven), Andrea Fleck-Nisbet (CEO Independent Book Publishers Assn), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Laurence O’Bryan (Founder International Dublin Writers Festival), Rob Prior (Spawn and Heavy Metal artist), A.G. Riddle (The Atlantis Gene),  Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn), Dean Wesley Smith (Seeders Universe), Toni Weisskopf (Publisher of Baen Books), and Tom Wood (Tom Wood Fantasy Art). For the full list of past guests, visit www.writersofthefuture.com/podcast.

“I remember when we first broke 500 listens with our weekly show. How excited we were,” stated Goodwin. “Today, the United Public Radio Network reports that the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast receives an average of 3.5 million global listens to the weekly radio broadcast.”

Writers of the Future won the eLit Gold Medal in the “Podcast – Interview/Author Hosted Format” category, and is a seven-time finalist in the People’s Choice Podcast Awards in four separate categories: Adam Curry People’s Choice, Arts, Education, and Storyteller-Drama.

The Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast is one of several tools available to aspiring writers and artists through the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests. For over four decades—and over 1,000 writers and artists—L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests have discovered and nurtured a steady stream of new talent who have changed the face of science fiction and fantasy. These Contests have provided “a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged,” as per the mission statement by L. Ron Hubbard in the first volume.

The Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast can be found at www.writersofthefuture.com/podcast and is also available on the following platforms: Apple Podcasts, Audible, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pocket Casts, Podbean, Podnews, SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube.