Writers of the Future Podcast

This interview was recorded the morning following the Awards Gala for "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39." Dave Henrickson was the Golden Pen Award-winning author with his story "White Elephant," and Dao Vi was the Golden Brush Award-winner illustrator for his illustration of the story "The Last History." We discuss their trajectories to becoming the grand prize winners. View Dao Vi art at https://daovi1215.artstation.com/

I originally met Steve Pantazis in 2015 when he was published in Writers of the Future Volume 31 with his very clever story, “Switch.” I have been nagging him for about eight years now, asking for his novel. Well, he has not only provided that novel, he has done so in spades with a nine-book epic fantasy series entitled The Light of Darkness of which I read the first volume. We discuss his journey, starting 40 years ago, in creating this series. Up to the launch of this series, he has published short stories in Nature, Galaxy’s Edge, and Intergalactic Medicine Show.

Jim, Tamra, and Taylor Meskimen have recorded nearly 500 audiobooks, including "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39." They discuss what makes this audiobook such a great listen for all age groups - Boomers to Gen Z - and how it has stories that appeal to everyone. We discuss the importance of imagination and the value of audiobooks in contributing to developing imagination.

This week's guest is a longtime friend, Mark Leslie (Lefevbre) who I have had on as a guest a few times already discussing his Canadian Werewolf series, which I really enjoy! I've never discussed book ratings and what makes something children vs YA vs Christian vs all the other categories. How sex and violence are handled in the different categories. And what is the equivalent of a Motion Picture Rating System for books to let an audience know what they are getting? I've not addressed this in any of my past interviews. I will also do some research into different categories of romance vs erotica. Also what target audiences/ages would an author write for to reach the different audiences?

Brian Herbert, author of “Dreamer of Dune,” a book about his father Frank Herbert, discusses his relationship with his father, Frank’s growth from aspiring to international bestselling author, and Brian’s own journey as a bestselling author.

Actors Keli Daniels, Neil Angevine, Taylor Meskimen, Jim Meskimen, Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson), Noelle North, Tamra Meskimen, R.F. Daley perform L. Ron Hubbard's circus fantasy story "If I Were You" for the Contest judges, volume 39 writers and illustrator winners. Circus midget Little Tom Little learns from a book on black magic how to switch bodies. When he jumps into the body of the lion tamer, he finds himself caught in the center ring surrounded by dozens of savage cats and quickly realizes that his craving for height just may have led him to a gruesome death.

Susan Kroupa was initially published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 10 as a winner with the story “The Healer.” She has since gone on to write "The Doodlebugged Mysteries," featuring a Labradoodle as a principal character, as well as "Treetalker." Her fiction has also appeared in Realms of Fantasy, Bruce Coville's Shapeshifters, and a variety of anthologies. She has lived and taught on both the Hopi and Navajo reservations and written for The Arizona Republic and High Country News. Learn more about Susan at: susankroupa.com/

Daniel Yocom is a professional book reviewer. We met at the LTUE (Life, the Universe, and Everything) conference on a panel on getting reviews. Reviews are a very important part of the publishing process, but they aren't something an author should pay for! Daniel is also involved with the League of Utah Writers, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating community, and empowering the writing and publishing goals of members, whether they be novices or professional. Something very near and dear to my Writers of the Future heart! We will be discussing this along with the League of Writers Utah.

Brian C. Hailes was an Illustrators of the Future Winner in 2002, volume 18. He illustrated L. Ron Hubbard’s story, The Idealist, a few years ago. He is the creator of "Draw It With Me," and is also the award-winning writer/illustrator of the illustrated novels, "Blink," "Defender of Llyans," and "Avila," two graphic novels, "Dragon’s Gait" and "Devil’s Triangle," and the children's picture books "Skeleton Play" and "Don’t Go Near the Crocodile Ponds." We discuss his journey to becoming an artist. "Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality." – Brian C. Hailes Learn more at www.hailesart.com/

Dave Sheets is the CEO of Indie Author Book Services. He has been in the publishing industry for over 25 years, working in all facets of publishing, and has turned his experience and expertise into his company, Indie Book Services. In this podcast, we discuss each step of the book production cycle, from helping write the story (ghostwriting or co-writing) all the way through to printed books. Dave can be reached at dave@indieauthorbookservices.com and by phone at (719) 641-7862