Writers of the Future Podcast

Michael Michera, from Warsaw, Poland, was Illustrators of the Future Golden Brush Award winner for volume 33. He worked three weeks on the art he submitted to win. That is his work ethic: it requires hard work to be in the right place at the right time. And he has several examples to prove how this works. Since winning the Contest, he has been extremely busy to the point of not looking for new work as it comes to him. Here are some of tips: 1. Believe in yourself. 2. Artists are frequently shy, but you should endeavor to be everywhere. Post your art every place where it can be found. 3. In addition, have a good website. 4. Put ONLY your best work in your portfolio. 5. Be honest about deadlines with your clients. www.artstation.com/michera

Multiple World Fantasy Award-winner Tim Powers discusses suspense in storytelling. How do Ian Flemming, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly do it? They don't tell you. Luckily Hubbard did. It's a whole article. You know suspense when you read it. But with this article it helps crystalize with the examples and descriptions, you can see where you fall short and are so half-way to doing it." The essay is available in the free L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Online Workshop. www.writersofthefuture.com/writing-workshop

Dustin Panzino won Illustrators of the Future in 2011 when he was 19. Two judges in particular, Cliff Nielsen and Steven Hickman, made an impression on him to move beyond being a gallery artist with his oil paintings. He now survives well through his art as a full time profession. He transitioned from being a traditional oil painter to many other styles, including digital. When the shut down occurred, it took a few weeks to adjust his attitude, which has a lot to do with being successful during the current times. He also discusses the importance of setting goals as an artist and then moving forward and how social media has helped to keep him visible and selling. He discusses the importance of a portfolio for the type of art you want to pursue. He can be found on Instagram: inkwell_illustrations Twitter: @inkwell_ILLust Facebook: @inkwell_illustrations

Corry Lee graduated with a PhD in Physics from Harvard, but had wanted to be a writer since a young girl. She was published in Writers of the Future Volume 28 with her story, "Shut Down." Writing short fiction has improved her craft of writing overall. Now, as a PhD physicist, award winning science teacher, data geek, mom, and with the support of her husband, she has now released her first fantasy novel, "Weave the Lightning" (Solaris Books) www.corrylee.com

Our first-ever illustrator winner from Iran, Mason Matak, talks about the importance of art in Iran and the challenges he has in practicing art as a profession. He has a message for his fellow countrymen who pursue art. But his message is actually for anyone who loves creating art. You can find Mason at: Facebook: mohamadhossein.matak Instagram: @mason_matak

Multiple World Fantasy Award-Winning Author ("Last Call" and "Declare") and author of "On Stranger Tides," Tim Powers has been a Writers of the Future judge for over 30 years. In this interview, he discusses the craft of writing fantasy, both World Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy. www.TheWorksofTimPowers.com

David Farland discusses L. Ron Hubbard's writing essay, "Manuscript Factory" and how it was an eye-opener for him. His instructors in college had been hobby-writers and didn't write to make a living. He used this advice to help build his very successful career as a writer with his own manuscript factory. You can read this and several other essays, along with 13 videos featuring David Farland, Orson Scott Card, and Tim Powers in "L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Online Workshop" available for free here: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writing-workshop/

Multiple NYT bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson has been a Writers of the Future Judge since 1996 and now teaches a Masters Program at Western Colorado University. In this interview, we talk about publishing in today's world from writing, to the need for agents, to self-promotion, and what the future holds. Oh yeah, we also talk about Writers of the Future and its impact on science fiction & fantasy.

Mike Wood won Writers of the Future in 2009 and was published in volume 25 which provided him his first trip to the US. Now having completed a career he has set a new direction, that of an author.

David D'Amico was a Writers of the Future winner in volume 27. He has retired his job to embrace his lifelong dream of being a published author. This is his journey. Learn more about David at dadamico.com