Writers of the Future Podcast

If you enjoy military thrillers as well as science fiction, you will love Jeff Edwards. Jeff served over two decades in the US Navy where he was an Anti-Submarine Warfare Specialist and Chief Petty Officer. He specializes in writing about ordinary men and women working together to do extraordinary things which was something he experienced in his military career. In his own words, Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s the determination that some things are more important than fear. Listen to this week’s Writers and Illustrators of the Future podcast with special guest Jeff Edwards.

Douglas E. Richards is a multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of science-fiction thrillers that have sold over two million copies. I was initially introduced to him through his book “Seeker” which left a very refreshing view on the future of humanity. After reading Seeker, I asked him for a recommended next read and he suggested the newly released “Unidentified” a book that opens and closes with the author participating on a large podcast. He had me at the word "podcast"! He has gone from being a biotech executive and Director of biotechnology licensing with a BS in microbiology from the Ohio State University, and a master's degree in genetic engineering from the University of Wisconsin--where he engineered mutant viruses now named after him--and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Learn more at www.douglaserichards.com/

Tom Wood is a world-class fantasy art illustrator who is among the best-selling poster artists in the US and Canada. Art is hard work. If you want to be good at it, it’s an obsession. The “Tom Wood Fantasy Art” brand has sold millions of products since 2005. Tom’s creations of dragons and medieval, death-defying warriors have become iconic images of fantasy culture across America, Europe, and Asia. In addition as a commercial artist, Tom’s clients have included well-known companies: Warner Brothers, Disney, NBA, NFL, MLS, Reebok, Gatorade, and the NCAA as well as ICP (Insane Clown Posse) and The Gathering of the Juggalos. He became an Illustrators of the Future judge in 2021. His work can be found at www.meridiandesignworks.com/

Filipina – American author, artist, educator, and a new mother, Anj Dockrey, was recently published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 37 with her story, “Argentum.” She has been entering the Writers of the Future Contest for nearly two decades and now having won has a wonderful story of persistence and dedication to finally achieving her goal that I wanted to share with you.

Kary English was published in WOTF 31 and has since become the First Reader for Writers of the Future. The goal of this podcast is to cut down on Contest rejects so we discuss the do's, don'ts, and WTF for submitting to the Writers of the Future Contest.

A.G. Riddle has become a household sensation within our offices with his Origin Mystery Series series. Writing under a pseudonym, Gerry, along with his wife and partner Anne, are better known in the publishing world as AG Riddle. He released his first novel, The Atlantis Gene, in March of 2013. It became the first book in The Origin Mystery Trilogy. He also released his fourth novel, Departure, which follows the survivors of a flight that takes off in the present and crash-lands in a changed world. Riddle was born and raised in a small town in North Carolina and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. No matter where he is, he tries to set aside time every day to write and answer e-mails. Learn more at www.AGRiddle.com

Brittany "Bea" Jackson discusses her career from aspiring artist, to winning the Illustrators of the Future Golden Brush Award, to multiple NYT bestselling children's books, and now Illustrators of the Future Judge.

Meet Jenna Moreci, bestselling author, and YouTube influencer. We discuss three important tips to reach GenZ and Millennials whether you are an author or marketer and you will soon realize why Jenna's YouTube platform is so popular! Learn more at www.jennamoreci.com/ and www.youtube.com/channel/UCS_fcv9kBpDN4WWrfcbCrgw

Dean Wesley Smith was the first writer to be awarded by Writers of the Future in volume 1. He has been a Contest judge and is one of the most prolific writers alive today. We discuss how he emulated L. Ron Hubbard's speed and ability to cross genres. In celebration of his 70th birthday, Dean is publishing 70 novels in one year!

Two of our most recent Gold Award winners, writer winner Barbara Lund with her story “Sixers” in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 37, and illustrator winner Anh Le with his illustration of “Stolen Sky” in Volume 36, discuss their career, the workshop week, what it was like to win the grand prize, and their plans for the future.