Writers of the Future Podcast

Many aspiring writers give up before ever realizing their dream of being a published author. Martin Shoemaker did. Then he gave up on giving up and made it. This is his story. It could be yours too! This is his journey to becoming a Writer of the Future.

Wulf Moon talks about the importance of establishing your brand, including social media, selling your books at every opportunity, being positive and making friends. He gives several examples of how to do this. He is the author of "Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" published in "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35." He also encourages you to join the Writers of the Future Forum which he credits as being a major assist to winning the Contest.

Rob Prior discusses his art, becoming an artist, how to make it, his studying under Frank Frazetta, why Illustrators of the Future is important. He gives his perspective on diversifying one's talent across several forms of art. And he gives his tips for the aspiring artist.

Illustrators of the Future winner Daniel Reneau (2013) is a pop-culture concept designer for KidRobot. He says that as a winner, the Illustrator Workshop gave him perspective on how to approach art and direct his focus. He discusses hurdles he has had to overcome but ultimately how he is living his dream. Daniel can be reached at danielbdemented.carbonmade.com

DawnRay Ammon and Jenna Eatough wanted a convention that provided the opportunity to take intensive classes and workshops in writing and art for speculative fields from creative professionals. And so they created Fyrecon, offering over 180 workshops and classes by published authors and artists. Learn more at Fyrecon.com or on Facebook @Fyrecon.

Bob Defendi (Writers of the Future winner volume 19) talks about the adage that "it takes 10 years to become an overnight success" and the value of having your own ready-made audience.

Initially an Illustrators of the Future winner in 1993, (Writers of the Future Volume 9), Brian Lee Durfee illustrated for Dungeons & Dragons and "Magic The Gathering." With partial loss of vision in one eye, Brian switched gears and is now a successful published novelist of epic fantasy. Brian talks about how he made the transition.

Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury was a published finalist in Writers of the Future vol 9 back in 1993 who has since gone on to run Orson Scott Card's "Writer's Workshop" and "Forum" at HatRack.com. She explains Orson Scott Card's 3 rules for storytelling: 1. Faith - Oh, yeah?; 2. Hope - So what?; and, Clarity - Huh?

Writers of the Future winners Eric James Stone and Darci Stone provide their advice to aspiring writers and how Writers of the Future brings fresh perspective and new ideas to science fiction—which is one of the hottest tips to winning the Contest.

Preston Dennett tells his amazing story of entering Writers of the Future 47 times since 1986 before finally winning. His is a story of trying, giving up and then giving it another shot. Writers of the Future books and the Forum where he learned about himself in the "Topanga Canyon" story.