Writers of the Future Volume 31

Written by L. Ron Hubbard, Kevin A. Anderson, Orson Scott Card and 15 more

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Kevin R. Free, Richard Poe and Brian Hutchison

The future is here.the future is now! Orson Scott Card, Kevin J. Anderson and Larry Niven have seen the future. Now, you can, too. A constellation of the brightest lights in the Science Fiction and Fantasy firmament have judged these authors to be the best, the brightest, the truest emerging stars in the field. From Alien Invasion to Alternate History, from Cyberpunk to Comic Fantasy to Post-Apocalyptic Worlds, these are the winning writers who have mastered every version and vision of sci-fi and fantasy. Don't be left behind. Get a read on what's next. "The Writers of the Future contest looks for people with the best imaginations who can see through the possibilities of the strangest and best ideas and tell stories that intrigue us and involve us." -ORSON SCOTT CARD Celebrate the 31st anniversary of the Writers of the Future contest and the 26th anniversary of the Illustrators of the Future contest

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781501986819

L. Ron Hubbard

With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most enduring and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard. Then too, of course, there is all L. Ron Hubbard represents as the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology and thus the only major religion born in the 20th century.

Reviews for Writers of the Future Volume 31

[diana_long_thomas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book received from NetGalley.

I have read some of the older books in this series, but this is the first one in many years that I have picked up. I liked all of the stories but two of the stories I absolutely loved. Those were "Switch" by Steve Pantazis and "Stars that Make the Dark Heaven Light" by Sharon Joss. Each of those stories had me hooked from the first sentence. "Switch" had a cop drama mystery feel and I've been slightly hooked on those lately. "Stars that Make the Dark Heaven Light" made me think of parts of the Pern novels by Anne McCaffrey and the Darkangel series by Meredith Ann Pierce. I know a certain famous author that's mentioned in this book in the series is not the best person, and many people have issues with him and his work, but I did my best to ignore his issues and give the new authors the chance they deserved. There are a few authors in this book that I'm hoping get more of their work published because I really enjoyed reading their stories.

[greymith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book of short stories and found all but three of the stories entertaining. The last few times I attempted to read this style of book, I have been disappointed since there were only one or two good stories. Now many years later, I won this book in a giveaway and was pleasantly surprised as one enjoyable story followed another. I also liked the artwork that was included. Not only did were the stories selected by experienced writers from submissions, so were the art pieces used to showcase each story. I also found the essays provided by experienced writers insightful.

From the writers of the future website:

You are invited . . .
To a future where a cop’s performance depends upon the quality of his illegal brain-enhancing drugs.

To the home of Jack, who is troubled by a misbehaving pet Death God name Zu’ar.

To the planet Hesperidee, where one girl is on the brink of becoming something other than human.

To hop between doomed planets . . . and celebrate each one’s apocalypse.

There is a world where . . .
Mankind’s sins must be forgiven, lest it be doomed.

The spirit in Abe’s magical book makes big promises, but will only deliver at a tremendous cost.

The mobsters in Vinh Quang hope to purchase freedom for entire families—if they can just avoid the cops.

One young man’s hallucination might be a ghost—or the key to survival.

Meet the neighbors . . .
A girl named Elizabeth is haunted by ghostly echoes from her past.

A person whose genetic upgrades let him speak only in five-word sentences.

The kids at Kessington House—a dorm for the psychomorphically unstable.

A writer gets to see what he could have created, if he’d only found the courage.

You think you have problems?
In the seaside resort of Summerland, a young artist struggles to complete a mural, and mend broken spirits.

Daniel’s neighbors want your life—but only because they need it to get your soul.

Sam is trapped on a refinery in space and his fusion reactor is about to blow—and that’s just the first of his problems.

It seems that our sun has just exploded.

The year’s thirteen best tales from the Writers of the Future international writers’ program

Illustrated by winners in the Illustrators of the Future international illustrators’ program

[bearlyr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Most of the stories are quite interesting, they capture and hold your attention. While all were Sci-Fi and Fantasy, the stories are very diverse. I was really looking forward to Orson Scott Cards contribution, but it turned out to be an instructional piece on writing. This anthology takes you all over the universe, as well as across the county.

[libstaff2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good collection of new (and some not so new) Sci-fi/fantasy writers and artists. Like previous volumes, this one includes some pretty awesome speculative fiction. My favorite short stories were A Revolutionary's Guide to Practical Conjuration, Planar Ghosts, and Kevin Anderson and wife's Rough Draft. But the illustrators are spectacular. I love Daniel Tyka's artwork and I also enjoyed the illustrations of Greg Opalinski, Michelle Lockamy, and Bernardo Mota. Gorgeous and thought-provoking. I'll be looking for more in the future.

LT Member Giveaway

[ariatracker · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Writers of the Future Volume 31, edited by David Farland, contains 16 short fiction stories and essays on writing. Thirteen new writers, selected as the best from the Writers of the Future International writers’ program, do not disappoint with their offerings. Superbly written, various themes on dystopic futures with gods looking for work to magical books trying to talk the user out of using it are sprinkled throughout. There’s something here for everyone. Recommended for those who like thinking outside the box.

[harleyqgrayson02 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of this book through librarything.com members giveaway for a honest review. I have never really read sci-fic books. This book was good. It had some stories that I like and some I didn't. It was an easy read sometimes. I still liked the book.

[bookaddict3000 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was absolutely amazing! At first, I was bit sceptical of this book. I questioned the seriousness of the competition and the quality of the short stories within it. The scepticism was completely unnecessary. Every single story and illustration was absolutely fantastical! I was gasping with shock in some moments and literally laughing out loud at others. I even wanted to cry with happiness at certain moments. This book is, and will always be, worth reading. If you haven't read this, then this is a MUST read and MUST have if you're a collector (this book will most definitely enrich your collection). I'm most thankful that I won this book in a giveaway with LibraryThing. It truly is an exceptional book.

[hjstorm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was impressed with the variety of authors and stories and also the inclusion of artwork!

[darthdeverell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future, Volume 31 contains fourteen short stories by non-professional writers, two pieces from L. Ron Hubbard, two essays from Bob Eggleton, an essay from Orson Scott Card, a short story by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, and sixteen works of art to accompany the stories.
My favorite stories from this volume are “Switch” by Steve Pantazis, “Stars That Make Dark Heaven Light” by Sharon Joss, “Twelve Minutes to Vinh Quang” by Tim Napper, “Rough Draft” by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta, “Between Screens” by Zach Chapman, “Inconstant Moon” by Larry Niven, and “Poseidon’s Eyes” by Kary English. Both “Switch” and “Twelve Minutes to Vinh Quang” are excellent works of cyberpunk, with the former following a character ostensibly on the side of law and order and the latter about someone acting to circumvent the law, but both feature a great deal of world-building and depth of character. “Stars That Make Dark Heaven Light” and “Between Screens” are both high-concept science fiction set in deep space that take the reader along for an emotional journey, one uplifting and the other like a punch to the gut, but both satisfying. “Inconstant Moon” is an excellent story with an emotional resonance akin to the film Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. In “Rough Draft,” Anderson and Moesta use fiction to encourage budding writers not to give up on their dreams. Finally, “Poseidon’s Eyes” concludes the volume with a quiet story about a small town and the spirits that shape the inhabitants’ lives.
All of these early authors are already masters of their craft and can only go on to bigger things from here. My only objection to the volume is its association with L. Ron Hubbard and his mixed legacy as a person, but that does not detract from the work presented here. This book offers a pleasant glimpse into the future of the genre, both in prose and art, and I look forward to encountering more from these authors.

[unagog-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say. L. Ron Hubbard has put together another winner. The stories in this book are just a joy to read, and the talent of the authors comes through. The futuristic, sci-fi stories keep you so interested that you can't put the book down. You just want to keep reading and reading.

[tpmcnulty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was privileged to receive an advanced reading copy of WOTF 31, the annual anthology for the best literary contest in the country. These anthologies are a joy to read each year, and each year I find myself marveling over the wonderful stories, re-reading various passages and generally feeling grateful to see there are so many diverse and talented writers out there.

The first story, Switch by Steve Pantazis, is a fascinating, cautionary tale where the future includes Mindnet, or “Internet of the Mind” made possible by a temporal lobe implant that connects people to banks, retailers, social networks and everything else. Enter into this world a new drug called “Switch” and a cop investigating a homicide, and you’ll discover firsthand why The Writers of the Future contest is acclaimed for discovering new talent. Author Pantazis has written a first-rate science fiction thriller.

The God Whisperer by Daniel J. Davis is a satirical and humorous play on those misbehaving pets we all have. In this case, Jack is troubled by Zu’ar, a pint sized war god. He calls in a “God Whisperer” to straighten things out. The God Whisperer is a fun, short tale. Next was Stars That Make Dark Heaven Light by Sharon Joss. This outstanding tale is about Ettie on Hesperide with cartilage instead of bones which necessitates that she spends at least six hours of day in sunlight. When she learns that lapid, the small alien insect sized creature she is raising, can communicate with her the results will leave you flipping the pages. Another great science fiction tale and typical of the high quality this anthology offers.

In A Revolutionary’s Guide to Practical Conjuration by Auston Habershaw we meet Abe who negotiates possession of a sorcery book from a black marketer, he gets more than he bargained for. A gritty but fun tale. Twelve Minutes to Vinh Quang by Tim Napper a taut, short thriller wherein a smuggler is nearly caught by the sloppy handiwork of an associate. Another hardboiled story that immediately held my attention. In Planar Ghosts by Krystal Claxton you will ask yourself is the ghost real? In this futuristic tale Pup travels with Ghost who is “see-through in places and seems to glow without casting any light or shadow. She is a faint purple, like butterflybush blossoms, and her long hair floats about her as though she is always being caught in the beginning of a breeze.” (p. 195) A great story, and one of the several stand-out tales included here.

Between Screens by Zach Chapman is a tight and compelling piece about some students and the world they live in, while Unrefined by Martin L. Shoemaker is a traditional tale that tackles the idea of responsibility in leadership. Both Between Screens and Unrefined are a study in contrasts. Their uniqueness and differences in their approach to storytelling are yet another reason why I enjoy this anthology every year. Half Past by Samantha Murray is stylistically far removed from the hardcore science fiction that precedes it. This refreshing, magical tale is beautifully written and thought-provoking, which the best stories always are. Then we have Purposes Made for Alien Minds by Scott R. Parkin, another edgy sci-fi story that is the hallmark of the WOTF series. That brings us to The Graver by Amy M. Hughes, an emotionally charged fantasy that holds its own against so many stalwart tales; and then Wisteria Melancholy by Michael T. Banker, a finely wrought exploration of human nature.

Poseidon’s Eyes by Kary English is the final story, and another great one. The WOTF anthologies are now published in trade paperback with color plates of the award winning illustrations. The illustrations will leave you breathless. This year the winning illustrators are Alex Brock, Amit Dutta, Megan Kelchner, Tung Chi Lee, Shuangjian Liu, Michelle Lockamy, Bernardo Mota, Megen Nelson, Greg Opalinski, Taylor Payton, Quinlan Septer, Emily Siu, Trevor Smith, Daniel Tyka and Choong Yoon. Included are several stories by such veteran writers as L. Ron Hubbard, Larry Niven, Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta. Add to this mix of great stories some insightful essays on the creative process by Hubbard, Orson Scott Card and Bob Eggleton and WOTF 31 will keep you reading late into the night. This year the book was edited by David Farland.