Writers of the Future Volume 29

By L. Ron Hubbard, Dave Farland, Larry Elmore and 26 more

Turn the page…open your eyes...and look into the future
They unleash the power of dreams and unlock the secrets of the universe.
They bend time, twist perception, and put a new spin on the laws of physics.
They show us who we are, what we may become, and how far we can go.
They are the Writers of the Future.
Experience their vision.

Edited by David Farland
Featuring Nnedi Okorafor & Larry Elmore
Along with 25 award-winning authors & illustrators
Never before published Science Fiction/Fantasy selected by a panel of the biggest-name authors and artists in the field. They will be the stars of tomorrow.

“Keep the Writers of the Future going. It’s what keeps sci-fi alive.”—ORSON SCOTT CARD
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Galaxy Press
• Release date: Apr 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9781619862029

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 acclaimed 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.

Reviews for Writers of the Future Volume 29

[lavender1111 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I won this book through Library Thing Early Reviewers. I enjoyed all the stories. Thank you.

[ivory1357 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. It was a quick easy book to read. Enjoyable.

[turtlesleap · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have read other collections of Writers of the Future and hoped that this collection would live up to the reputation Mr. Hubbard has established for anthologizing excellent and promising work. I was not disappointed. As a rule, in a work like this, there will be a few stories that the reader views as "clinkers" from his/her particular viewpoint. Interestingly, while there were some stories that I liked better than others, there were none that I didn't like. Favorites were War Hero, Vestigial Girl and Dreameater. Altogether, an excellent collection. Recommended.

[bruce_deming_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This anthology rocked! What fun! Sci Fi... Fantasy... scarey stuff...magic magic magic. So much writing was so smooth and polished to me that I am surprised it is a first publication. The competition must be stiff and the judges eyes fine to create such a wonderful collection.

I highly recommend this volume!

[elric17_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As always one looks forward to seeing what the next generation of authors are going to publish. I have to say after reading the stories herein, that despite rumours to the contrary, the future of science fiction looks bright. As there are 13 stories, I shan't review them all but say that as a whole a diverse and enjoyable mix, and my personal favorite is Cop for a day, which is a cautionary tale of accepting too much government aid and the loss of individual rights.

[juliebooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The stories this year are all very original and creative. As there are 13, it is difficult to write a summary that encompasses them all.In one story for instance, although the hero dies, he does not really die. In fact the twists and turns of this one will leave you wondering what it would take to make this really happen - brilliant.In another, the author takes you on several suspenseful intergalactic adventures to far off planets, and while you are the edge hoping the protagonist makes it; in each harrowing mission, the author reflects on real emotions and situations that strike home.While another explores the depths of insanity and far one will go to protect those he cares about. While in another, the author unravels the mystery of the time in a intricate story, where you feel the balance of the universe and its dependance on time.What a great find. Bravo to the judges selecting this year's winning stories. It is a truly entertaining mix!

[tpmcnulty · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yes, you can judge a book by its cover. Writers of the Future Volume XXIX features a breathtaking cover by Stephen Youll titled “Retro City.” Take a good look. There’s a little bit of Flash Gordon and old fashioned pulp. The adventurer poised on some futuristic/retro rooftop is holding a ray gun and sporting an aviation helmet. The jetpack on his back says it all. Now look at the detail of the cityscape. I want to be there, and so do you! Such magnificent covers are not unusual for the Writers of the Future, now entering its 30th year. Previous artists such as Frank Frazetta have offered eye-splitting covers for several of these anthologies. Best of all, this contest works in tandem with the Illustrators of the Future contest and the stories are illustrated with work by the winning contestants. The winners for this 29th volume are John Eno, Joshua Meehan, Luis Menacho, Olivia Xu, Daniel Reneau, Jackie Albano, Aldo Katayanagi, Sida Chen, Karsen Slater, James J. Eads, Lucas Durham and Tiffany England. All of their wonderful illustrations had another depth of quality to this book. As expected, the stories are all top-flight entertainments. “War Hero” by Brian Trent kicks the anthology into high gear with this outstanding tale about vengeance and warfare. A few slight-of-hand plot twists and really solid writing make “War Hero” a splendid piece of science fiction writing. Next up is “Planetary Scouts” by Stephen Sottong, a hard-hitting sci-fi tale that had me mesmerized from the first paragraph. Two scouts are sent to distant planets to report on the possibility of discovering intelligent life, and quite often surviving the expeditions can be hair-raising if not fatal. Tina Gower’s “Twelve Seconds” is the third straight science fiction story and equally as good as the others. Except “Twelve Seconds” is also a nifty mystery tale. An autistic man named Howard works at processing memory siphons in order to help solve homicides. But Howard uncovers a series of deaths that require additional investigation. With three superb stories opening this anthology I wondered if the quality would hold up as I delved deeper. I needn’t have pondered such a foolish thought. The next three tales were equally as mesmerizing. Christopher Reynaga’s “The Grand Complication” turned out to be a favorite; a beautifully written tale where time is out of place and needs to be fixed. “Cop for a Day” by Chrome Oxide is a futuristic story where Mark Rollins is called upon to work a day for Amalgamated Security; and “Gonna Reach Out and Grab Ya” by Eric Cline put me at the halfway mark in this outstanding collection. Cline’s story is a riveting page turner that will change the way you think about autopsies.That brings us to “Vestigial Girl” by Alex Wilson which puts a unique and fresh spin on childhood. You should read this one slowly, and savor every word. “Holy Days” by Kodiak Julian tackles life and death so brilliantly that I read the story twice. This is another perfect story in what is obviously now a perfect anthology. “The Ghost Wife of Arlington” by Marilyn Guttridge had me intrigued just from the title. The story matches that title perfectly; a love story with a delicious gothic twist and one that you will remember long after setting the book down.The last four tales round out this 29th volume with acute craftsmanship. “Everything You Have Seen” by Alisa Alering brilliantly offers a discovery of new worlds amidst the destruction of war; “Scavengers” by Shannon Peavey is a remarkable fantasy about deception and truth; “Dreameater” by Andrea Stewart is a chilling gem about a daughter who fears she may be too much like her lethal mother. The final story, “Master Belladino’s Mask” by Marina J. Lostetter, magically explores a healer’s gift in the form of a mask that holds his consciousness. This great tale concludes the 29th volume of Writers of the Future. The journey is worth your time.

[sunmtn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This exciting anthology is a collection of science fiction stories by talented, new writers and illustrators who were selected from The Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests. These original stories and illustrations are a fine example of what readers can anticipate in the future of the science fiction genre. This stories in this collection are imaginative, and some provide glimpses into an advanced future world and its repercussions on the existence of our society and our humanity. At times, some of the stores made me cringe, thinking…this could really happen. Here are some of the stories that lingered in my mind after reading this latest volume of works. The beautiful illustrations that accompany the stories helped me to really grasp the visions of a different type of world. Two stories that deal with future worlds and government greed and corruption are “Planetary Scouts” and “Cop for a Day.” Aiden, a seasoned scout breaks in Lester, his new partner in “Planetary Scouts.” Numerous planets exist, and humans want to venture beyond Earth and explore possible places for settlement and expansion. As a result, scouts are sent out to foreign planets to observe and provide feedback on whether the planet is suitable for habitation. The story is filled with action and suspense as Aiden and Lester struggle to survive in unchartered terrain. The sacrifices made by scouts provide an alarming look at the potential for devastation as a consequence of someone’s territorial greed. “Cop for a Day” describes a world where government controls and restrains capitalism. Citizens are forced to rely on government aid and intervention that is meager and sub-standard. The protagonist, Mark, a convicted felon gets a probationary job that requires him to roam the streets and enforce “asset forfeiture.” While on the job, he partners with a highly intelligent car and by the end of his first day on the job, Mark has the potential to change his current situation. The story made me think hard about governmental control and human rights. The concept of death is presented from different angles in some of the stories. Imagine a world where death no longer is exists. “The War Hero” depicts the notion of body regeneration with minds even swapping bodies as needed or desired in order to facilitate covert operations. On a different, note, consider the possibility of the dying able to communicate the final twelve seconds of their lives to officials. “Twelve Seconds” reflects the point-of-view of Howard, a man with autism who also suffers from PTSD. He works in the homicide department viewing the last seconds of murdered victims. Precision is a must for Howard, who becomes suspicious of those whose deaths do not meet the 12 second standard showing their last memories before death. This was one of my favorite stories showing Howard’s perseverance in solving the mystery behind these particular deaths. Although the story involves tragic events, the ending left me hopeful about Howard’s future. If Death were a live entity, what would he or she be like? “The Ghost Wife of Arlington” is a paranormal romance that personifies Death, an immortal who has taken a “shade,” a mortal woman who is known as the “Ghost Wife.” She walks down “Bone Rattler Street” leaving various gifts for the ghosts who reside there in the city of Arlington. I enjoyed analyzing this story, looking at the overt and subtle symbolism found throughout that strengthens and unifies the plot. A final favorite of mine is “Dreameater,” a disturbing and suspenseful tale of a prostitute mother who craves men’s dreams to the point she eats their brains. This zombiesh tale is told from her young daughter’s point-of-view as she gradually learns the truth about her mother and the genetic impact on her future. Expository essays that offer tips and advice for aspiring writers are also included in this anthology. One of my favorites is the essay, “The Manuscript Factory” by L. Ron Hubbard where he describes the economics of writing and offers advice on how authors can examine their creative writing from a business perspective. “The Sport of Writing” shows that writing and sports have many similarities, an unusual comparison that I hadn’t considered. The captivating tales in this anthology are insightful, stimulating, thought-provoking and a thoroughly enjoyable read!I received a copy of this book from Galaxy Press in exchange for an honest review.