Writers & Illustrators of the Future Workshop Week
2026 – Day 4

How to Build a World (Magic Is Like the IRS): Writers’ Workshop Highlights

Contributed by Leah Ning

The writers’ workshop began with the writers receiving their checks for the publication of their stories, for some it was the first time they’d ever been paid for a piece of writing!

The writers entered today’s workshop with mingled exhaustion and relief, all having completed their 24-hour stories. Two of these stories will be workshopped by all of the winners as well as coordinating judge Jody Lynn Nye and judge Tim Powers tomorrow. Jody and Tim chose which stories in a “very scientific” way: by printing out all the manuscripts, throwing them down the stairs of Author Services, and seeing which ones flew farthest.

To support their day of hard work, the writers received tips for self-motivation, which included various useful methods of tricking yourself into doing the parts you’re dreading. They also learned about how to edit their manuscripts, when is the best time to edit, and how to know when to stop editing.

Jody and Tim also talked about worldbuilding. In particular, they talked magic and how to incorporate it into the world such that, as Tim put it, “the characters consider it the same way we consider the IRS.”

A Talk from Judge Mark Leslie Lefebvre

Judge Mark Leslie Lefebvre took the stage to speak to the writers about the business of writing and publishing on both the traditional and self-publishing tracks. He told them about the multitude of platforms they could use to self-publish their work and emphasized the importance of persistence in the industry.

Instruction with Judge Nina Kiriki Hoffman

Then, judge and past winner Nina Kiriki Hoffman taught the writers how to create stories with nothing but numbered lists and a d20 die. They spent time doing writing exercises based on the stories they rolled.

Guidance from John Goodwin on Acceptance Speeches

In the final session before dinner, Galaxy Press President John Goodwin advised the writer and illustrator winners on giving their acceptance speeches at Thursday’s Gala. Goodwin discussed speech etiquette, and how to be comfortable and natural in front of a grand audience.

L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition

After dinner, the writers went to the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibit, where they learned more about the life and writing of the man who originated the Writers of the Future contest. They were then sent back to the hotel to spend the night reading the two stories for workshopping tomorrow.

Wisdom from the Pros: Illustrator Workshop Highlights

Contributed by Martin L. Shoemaker

The Illustrators’ Workshop opened with Coordinating Judge Echo Chernik revisiting the topic of AI in the arts and addressing questions from the winners. She discussed ways to explain the ethical and quality issues in a meaningful way with customers and consumers.

A Visit from Irvin Rodriguez

The highlight of the morning was a workshop session from Irvin Rodriguez, a past grand prize winner from Volume 27. Originally from New York City, Irvin has since moved to Los Angeles, where he has worked in games, comic covers, book covers, and now focuses on independent work that gives him more creative freedom and control. He showed samples of his work, particularly for the Magic: The Gathering game (including Marvel, Star Wars, and The Lord of the Rings) and The Last of Us game. He also talked about working conventions to cultivate contacts and leads, and the importance of in-person time. He explained the benefits and approaches to working with reference models.

A Visit from Ciruelo Cabral

Next, the illustrators were treated to the first session from renowned dragon artist and Contest judge Ciruelo Cabral, the cover artist for L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42. Ciruelo hails from Barcelona, Spain, and he shared photos from the Barcelona sky and elsewhere that inspire his dragon work. He’s a traditional artist who works in oil on canvas, gouache, and inks, and he’s adding digital tools to his repertoire. He spoke of how watching your surroundings with an artist’s eye can reveal new works you can create. His most recent projects reflect this: painting on rocks, a technique he calls “petropictos.” Ciruelo spoke of studying the rocks until he could see figures emerging from within. This ties into his study of textures as underlying imagery. He finished with a discussion on doing art for yourself, not just for clients, in order to keep your passion and grow your skills. Ciruelo demonstrated this in his own life, beginning as a professional illustrator at age 18 and building for 25 years, following his dream of becoming a fantasy artist. Today, he focuses on exhibitions, conventions, and creating his own personal works.

Bea Jackson and “Art and Communication”

After lunch, past illustrator winner and Contest judge Bea Jackson introduced herself and discussed how lessons learned in the workshop then have fed into her career today. She explored the opportunities and pitfalls she faced as her career progressed. Her primary theme was emphasized in an essay from L. Ron Hubbard, “Art and Communication.” An artist can use their illustrations to communicate across languages and cultures. She also spoke of how the projects you accept shape the messages you communicate. As an introvert, she spoke about learning to put herself forward, connect with people, and build opportunities; and how to stand up for yourself and defend your principles and boundaries. She urged the artists to advocate for themselves and advised them that networking often brought more work than their portfolios alone would. She discussed ways to protect yourself in contracts and negotiations, including how to prevent your work from being used in AI training.

A Visit to Rob Prior’s Studio

For the next session, the Illustrator winners headed to the local studio of Contest judge Rob Prior so they could see the studio space of a working professional artist. Rob asked questions about their goals as artists and their past and future projects. He asked about their fears, even suggesting that AI art might be a fear. Then he delivered his primary message for the day: Art is about failure. Fail every day, because that means you’re trying. That’s how you grow. He stressed that leaving yourself an escape plan, an easy way out, means most people will take the easy way at the first resistance. Fully committing compels you to work your way through, and to become a greater artist.

Then the winners studied Rob’s tools and processes, examined his works in progress, talked to his apprentices and reviewed their progress and portfolios, and asked questions about establishing and running their own studios. After that, Rob led them through an exercise in gesture drawing: quick, simple strokes in short succession, without analysis paralysis yet building to something surprising and impressive. After the gesture drawing, Rob added a new factor to his message from failure to growth: tenacity. Everybody gets rejections, even talented people; but tenacious people move on to the next challenge and the next opportunity. Tenacity wins.
They finished with another exercise in spontaneous risk taking and discovery: Rob had started a piece earlier in the day; and each Illustrator got a chance to work with Rob on his painting. Without any verbal communication, they still collaborated to create a bigger piece that none of them could have foreseen. Illustrator winner Tracy Eire said it was an experience she will carry with her for the rest of her life.

Creating from Reference

The illustrators reconvened for some creative play as Contest staff unlocked the prop closet. Emerging with swords, pirate hats, and an assortment of costume pieces, they staged a lively mock sword fight to capture reference photos for the next day’s sketching assignment. Contest Judge Echo Chernik provided tips on developing a useful reference library.