L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future, Volume 40

by Jody Lynn Nye (Editor), Echo Chernik (Contributor), Sky McKinnon (Contributor)

Spine-tingling

Breathtaking

Mind-blowing

Experience these powerful new voices—vivid, visceral, and visionary—as they explore uncharted worlds and reveal unlimited possibilities.

Open the Writers of the Future and be carried away by stories—and illustrations—that will make you think, make you laugh, and make you see the world in ways you never imagined.

Twelve captivating tales from the best new writers of the year as selected by Writers of the Future Contest judges accompanied by three more from L. Ron Hubbard, Nancy Kress, S.M. Stirling. Each is accompanied by a full-color illustration.

Plus Bonus Art and Writing Tips from Gregory Benford, Bob Eggleton, L. Ron Hubbard, Dean Wesley Smith

“When her owner goes missing, a digital housecat must become more than simulation to find her dearest companion through the virtual world.—“The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast” by Sky McKinnon, art by Carina Zhang

No one came to his brother’s funeral. Not even the spirits. Étienne knew it was his fault.—“Son, Spirit, Snake” by Jack Nash, art by Pedro N.

Man overboard is a nightmare scenario for any sailor, but Lieutenant Susan Guidry is also running out of air—and the nearest help is light years away.—“Nonzero” by Tom Vandermolen, art by Jennifer Mellen

Mac wanted to invent a cocktail to burn itself upon the pages of history—but this one had some unexpected side effects.—“The Last Drop” by L. Ron Hubbard and L. Sprague de Camp, art by Chris Arias

Dementia has landed Dan Kennedy in Graydon Manor, and what’s left of his life ahead seems dismal, but a pair of impossible visitors bring unexpected hope.—“The Imagalisk” by Galen Westlake, art by Arthur Haywood

When a teenage swamp witch fears her mama will be killed, she utilizes her wits and the magic of the bayou—no matter the cost to her own soul.—“Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” by Stephannie Tallent, art by Ashley Cassaday

Our exodus family awoke on the new world—a paradise inexplicably teeming with Earth life, the Promise fulfilled. But 154 of us are missing.…—“Five Days Until Sunset” by Lance Robinson, art by Steve Bentley

Spirits were supposed to lurk beneath the Lake of Death, hungry and patient and hostile to all life.—“Shaman Dreams” by S.M. Stirling, art by Dan dos Santos

A new app lets users see through the eyes of any human in history, but it’s not long before the secrets of the past catch up with the present.—“The Wall Isn’t a Circle” by Rosalyn Robilliard, art by Guelly Rivera

In the shadows of Teddy Roosevelt’s wendigo hunt, a Native American boy resolves to turn the tables on his captors, setting his sights on the ultimate prey—America’s Great Chief.—“Da-ko-ta” by Amir Agoora, art by Connor Chamberlain

When squids from outer space take over, a punk-rock P.I. must crawl out of her own miserable existence to find her client’s daughter—and maybe a way out.—“Squiddy” by John Eric Schleicher, art by Tyler Vail

Another outbreak? This time it’s a virus with an eighty percent infection rate that affects personality changes … permanently.—“Halo” by Nancy Kress, art by Lucas Durham

Planet K2-18b is almost dead, humanity is enslaved, and it’s Rickard’s fault.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction

471 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Jody Lynn Nye lists her main career activity as ‘spoiling cats.’ When not engaged upon this worthy occupation, she writes fantasy and science fiction books and short stories.

Before breaking away from gainful employment to write full time, Jody worked as a file clerk, book-keeper at a small publishing house, freelance journalist and photographer, accounting assistant and costume maker.

For four years, she was on the technical operations staff of a local Chicago television station, WFBN (WGBO), serving the last year as Technical Operations Manager. During her time at WFBN, she was part of the engineering team that built the station, acted as Technical Director during live sports broadcasts, and worked to produce in-house spots and public service announcements.

Over the last twenty-five or so years, Jody has taught in numerous writing workshops and participated on hundreds of panels covering the subjects of writing and being published at science-fiction conventions. She has also spoken in schools and libraries around the north and northwest suburbs. In 2007 she taught fantasy writing at Columbia College Chicago. She also runs the two-day writers workshop at DragonCon, and is a judge for the Writers of the Future contest, the largest speculative fiction contest in the world.

Jody lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, with her husband Bill Fawcett, a writer, game designer, military historian and book packager, and three feline overlords, Athena, Minx, and Marmalade.

Reviews

[Empress of Bookingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

“That's what I think is the real beauty of this Contest -that it nurtures hope, inspires creativity, and supports the next generation of Dreamers and Creators, in a world which discourages thinking beyond the demands of our own everyday lives.”

Jody Lynn Nye

~

It feels so powerful seeing others dreams fulfilled on paper. It's infectious even. This anthology sparks hope, ignites if not reignites faith and hope in dreams and the wonders in between...

Every year, since I knew of it's existence, picking up a copy of Writers of The Future, getting lost in the myriad of worlds and ideas leaves me hungry for more and yet in a state of satiety. And every time I think I've tasted all the ways stories can be packed, delivered and had the picked pieces for the anthology test my literary buds leaving me with a new, full and a brimming appreciative heart. The stories keep raising the bar and the illustrations, uh la la, the illustrations tell stories of their own.

The audiobook was an awesome treat that I felt I was watching movies.

When one story drops you in an airship ready to crash and burn and only hope and can save, another story drops you right in the consciousness of an AI cat frantically searching for it's beloved creator cum owner. Another author's writing style will succinctly wrap around your mind in vividness and make stir your emotions the other will have you slow down and think long strings of 'what if's...'. A little taste of either makes this anthology wholesome and worth anyone's time.

For sure there will be stories that will walk with me for their mark was to deep to erase. Stories such as "The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast" by Sky McKinnon where a digital housecat goes looking for her missing owner becoming more than simulation to find her dearest companion through the virtual world. Sky's narration was so immersive and beautiful I kept wishing the story was longer. Could AI ever reach this level of power she left me wondering.

Stories that touched on grief, loss, redemption, breaking traditions, forgiveness and the power of a community case and point “Son, Spirit, Snake" by Jack Nash, will leave you reevaluating the traditions you have that hold you back and the kind of community you keep around.

"The Imagalisk" by Galen Westlake was like an ode to imagination, it's power and a reminder to never stop dreaming no matter what. It also spoke of old age and the loss growing older brings along. It was intense and yet fun. This will forever have my heart.

When a teenage swamp witch fears her mama will be killed, she utilizes her wits and the magic of the bayou, no matter the cost to her own soul. Stephannie Tallent put me in trance by the way she wield her magic and brought to themes so heavy and things so intangible that every word made me hold my breath. Her story "Life and Death and Love in the Bayou" had a heart of it's own.

What of "The Wall Isn't a Circle" by Rosalyn Robilliard, art by Guelly Rivera where a new app lets users see through the eyes of any human in history ? How much can the ones, zeros and the in between connect is further? What of the dangers the internet would bring?

"Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber" by James Davies spoke of death and yet hope resuscitating life into the remaining humans on planet K2-18b where humanity is enslaved. Because of one man, Rickard. Now in his twilight years, he'd give an arm and a leg for redemption. Literally.

The first story made me thirst for more but the last story made me every hungrier: What if magic could undo the unthinkable, and undo Death itself? Would you use it no matter the cost? What would you sacrifice for love? "Summer of Thirty Years" by Lisa Silverthorne touches on love and the sacrifices we'd make to have it and keep it. Lisa delves deeper on the consequences of our actions through the life of characters that felt like friends.

Sigh! Honestly Every story had something amazing to give making me love this volume more than the last one. It's keeps on getting better and better.

Read it!

[Books_the_Magical_Fruit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this is very long. It took me a while to get through all of the stories, so I’ve been plugging away at it. First off, kudos to all of the extremely talented illustrators who had thirty days to come up with a suitable work of art to accompany each story.

My hat’s off to all the writers as well! There are some gems in here, and I definitely have a favorite: “Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber” by James Davies. That one will make you cry. What would you sacrifice to right a very, very large wrong?


My honorable mentions:

”The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast” by Sky McKinnon, which is much more than a cat desperately searching for its beloved owner.

“The Imagalisk” by Galen Westlake, wherein a man in a nursing home is warned that he might have some ‘visitors’ in his room.

“Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” by Stephannie Tallent, because sometimes teens have to protect their parents, by whatever means necessary.

“Five Days Until Sunset” by Lance Robinson, where voyagers finally arrive at a new planet…but something is off. Also, where are all the other crewmembers?

“The Wall Isn’t a Circle” by Rosalyn Robilliard. Whose eyes would you look through, of anyone in history, if technology allowed it?

“Da-ko-ta” by Amir Agoora. In which Teddy Roosevelt hunts for a wendigo with the help of a justifiably angry Native American child.

“Halo” by Nancy Kress. A very intriguing story about an outbreak that is mishandled.

“Summer of Thirty Years” by Lisa Silverthorne. This one is my second favorite. Magic always comes with a price.

“Butter Side Down” by Kal M. I mean, I can’t not mention a love story featuring a toaster and a human!

This is already out, peeps! Grab a copy today!

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ebook! All opinions are mine alone.

[Beary Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
I am always such a huge fan of these stories. Since I don’t read much science fiction I never know where to start so these volumes make it so simple for me! They are definitely beginner friendly and even better if you already love science fiction. The artwork is so well done and I knew I had to share some. With all anthologies you will pick and choose which stories you liked the best. But overall, I thought they were all well written, engaging, and I can see how they were chosen as best of the year. Overall, well done and I’d recommend especially the audiobook!

[CiCi | bookameme · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully imaginative and darkly chilling anthology on audiobook that’s guaranteed to capture your imagination.

Available on Spotify

✨Important Note: I’m extra and have notions of fancy. So while I was enjoying this audiobook I was also stuck in the ICU. My prime form of entertainment was chronologizing my thoughts while listening and surfing the web, annnd playing with HTML tags because I’m a nerd and find weird things interesting. (As in the tags. This book is cool. I’m not the only one that says so either.)


The Edge of Where My Light is Cast
Sky McKinnon
TikTok Review
This story was beautifully written and eloquently crafted. It took less than 40 minutes to listen to it, but it took me on a wild ride through the data stream. By the end of it I was in love with a cat, a computer virus, and the potential for misunderstood code.
✨side note✨If you know anything about code you know that’s ridiculous. Also, I’m a dog person. So how dare this writer turn me into a cat person.

Son, Spirit, Snake
Jack Nash
This one was like a speculative attempt to explain the wild fantasy that was mixed with native folklore. While themes were family, corruption, conspiracies, and greed.

Nonzero
Tom Vandermolen
A look at AI, mortality, and the will to survive questioning not only what we’ll do but what we find worth living for. Dark and morose, ngl.
Appendix:A art

The Last Drop
L Ron Hubbard
The style reminds me of a 1920-ish comedy show. The events are explained in a pointed and exaggerated way and the narrator uses an accent that I often associate with The Big Easy.

The Imagalisk
Galen Westlake
This is incredible it starts off heartbreaking and creepy then dives into nostalgia before catapulting into a wild adventure. And the best part is that the MC is a determined seasoned citizen in a home for patients with altimeters. He’s recapturing parts of his life and imagination with magic and he’s not the only one.
Galen Westlake the speculative fiction writer


Life and Death and Love in the Bayou
Stephannie Tallent
I’m obsessed with this tale of a witch in the bayou. The accent was fun to listen to so it was easy to lose myself into the story of love, loss, magic, the swamp, and depths of revenge.


Five Days Until Sunset
Lance Robinson
Other Related Works
This was Interstellar in 20 minutes with higher stakes and the audacity to ask if humans deserve to survive.

Shaman Dreams

An interesting look at early people where science and magic are often one and the same.

Final spoken review on instagram, aka the day I went hard on Goodreads

Appendix:A This is one of the winning images from the contest. Cool, right!?!

[♡Heather✩Brown♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨B O O K • T O U R✨

Writers of the Future: 15 illustrated short stories, plus art and writing tips, volume 40: the best new sf & fantasy short stories of the year.

#ad I received this gifted PR box - many thanks to @galaxy_press #partner

If you love science-fiction or fantasy then you might know about this contest, or you might not, but this book is a collection of the winners with short stories and illustrations that will leave you in awe.

Both, the physical book and the audiobook, bring their own magic to this book which is why I highly suggest that you buy them both. While the physical book offers you visuals, the audiobook brings these stories alive. They are both equally deserving of praise.

I enjoyed this one a lot, I would listen to the audio while following along to the text. I found this to be the best experience for me. I had the best of both worlds coming together and it was nothing short of magic.

You’ll love every story but you’ll also get tips for writing within the science-fiction and fantasy realm - which offers some great advice. Each story is special and unique I really loved them all. If you’re a writer or an illustrator you can enter this contest too. With so many winners yearly, you could be one of them. They have a new contest every quarter.

These stories remind us of what it means to be human. They’ll have you all in your feels. From laughing, to crying, to seeing the magic of writing and the characters that’ll live on in your heart forever.

You can see a small glimpse of this book in my stories (for 24 hrs) then in my “Book Tours” highlight after.

You can check them out at writersofthefuture.com



#WritersoftheFuture #WOTF40 #sci-fi #fantasy bookrecommendations #bookstagram #readmorebooks #alwaysreading #bookhoarder #bookstack #reads #book #bookworms #bookrecommendation #bookaesthetic #bookshelves #readabook #readmore #books #bookworm #galaxypress

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year’s twelve best tales from the Writers of the Future International Writer’s Programme has become my annual read ;
This # 40 is a cornucopia of prose with outstanding tales and frankly, I would pre-order these publications without any hesitation; I have read previous editions.
In addition to the twelve best stories selected, there are also some truly stunning illustrations and interviews that are included in this issue.

Stories I really liked and thought stood out from the rest are:

“Non-Zero”, in which a young woman has dreamed of travelling to the stars since she was a child. In the hope that one day her SOS will be picked up, these her last thoughts
I liked “Life and Death” and “Love in the Bayou”, seen through the eyes of a young girl who is completely fed up with the violence against her mother and against women in general and takes her revenge in a terrible way
As a sci-fi fan, I found “Five Days Until Sunset” really sublime. At first I thought it was similar to the film Passengers - where a group of colonists are unexpectedly awakened from their cryo-sleep. The planet forces the group of survivors to take drastic measures, and the confusion is compounded when they realise they've been on the planet for 240 years - why weren't they woken up sooner? They’d better start walking…. ,
“The Wall isn't a Circle”: Ever wanted to see inside Nero's head or dine on the Titanic before it sank? Read and experience…
To Squid or not to Squid is the question, and how do non-squiters resist the temptation? And alternate take on Alien where pulsing squids gives you a better high than any other drugs…,
The opening line of “Halo” - ‘It’a universal truth that… doesn’t feature a galactic Mr. Darcy, but instead brings about biting, and bleeding…
“Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbon Fiber” - another stellar sci-fi story. On a salt-ridden planet, a mushroom cave seems to be the basis for terraforming, but what price did Kaybee's inhabitants pay first?
“Summer of Thirty Years”- A couple live above ground one summer a year for 30 years, like a modern-day Persephone set, but at what cost? wonderful, and deeply emotional love story about atonement, and the power of forgiveness.

I did not find the other stories, e.g. about a potion that created giant growths, or about meeting 'invisible friends', and some Native American stories, to be powerful enough. But tastes differ and I think there is something for everyone in this fabulous collection of stories.

Highly recommended, 5+ stars, eagerly looking forward to next year’s publication!

[Taylor Hathcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always struggle with the best way to do the reviews on anthologies. Overall, I really enjoyed this collection of stories. I think they were all so amazing and a lot of them I found either hard to put down or wishing I had more. I think a wide variety of ideas are explored in the stories, some of which seem light-years away from relevance, some that are eerily realistic, some that spark some really good questions about human nature, and then some that are just incredibly fun. I really loved the last two stories in this anthology the most. They were so vastly different but also not really. So here are my thoughts on each story: The Edge of Where My Light is Cast used technology as a way to explore love and loss. In this one we have an AI that is a cat made to replace Ary's cat Tabitha. Ary has programmed the AI to follow the same routines as her former cat did, but then one day Ary doesn't come home. I think this one was a really cute way to explore bonds that are formed and how sometimes the things we create can take on a life of their own as our program goes on the hunt for Ary. I will admit that it took me a bit to get into this one and it's probably my least favorite story of the lot.

Son, Spirit, Snake is a narrative about average people struggling to navigate a changing lifestyle where belief and the duties of tradition reign supreme. I enjoyed this story and the focus it had on the way the communities focus on gold was damaging the land and the spirits these people believed in. The story is told in such a beautiful and heartbreaking way. It really sucks you in and I honestly wish that I could have gotten a little bit more about the spirits in this one. They were fascinating. I loved the way we slowly see the people set aside some reliance on tradition to help each other. Nonzero left me traumatized. I mean in this one our main character is reliving important moments from her childhood where the stars called to her... while she is stuck in space with limited oxygen... alone. I mean that is probably the most terrifying scenario and for that reason I was like no thanks on this story.

The Last Drop this story was very whimsical and a tad ridiculous but in like a good way. We have a bartender who creates a cocktail with the ability to make things grow in size and some friends who find the antidote. It is literally a story of the most insane hijinx that really does make you laugh. The Imagalisk was another whimsical story that I enjoyed. We have a retirement home where some of the guests have imaginary friends from their childhoods who have suddenly come to life and can interact in the world. It's an adorable story, with a fun little quest. It was one of the ones I enjoyed a lot and think I would have loved to see a bit more on. Life and Death and Love in the Bayou was a very different tone compared to the other two. It covers some serious and heavy topics. Our narrator is a young girl who also happens to have some magic which she uses to help her mother out of an abusive relationship. I honestly wish this one had been a whole book because I still had so many questions at the end of the story. It was really a great premise and I wanted to know it all.

Five Days Until Sunset might have been one of my least favorite stories to be honest. We have a group who has been awakened from hyper sleep and learns that things did not go according to plan. The group spends much of the time refusing to let go of the hopes they had despite the warnings from those who came before them. I just struggled to get into this story and felt lost much of the time while reading. Shaman Dreams was another of the stories that I was pretty sure would have been more enjoyable if it was a little longer. It was a really cool premise and the ending was rather intense I just think it needed a little bit more to be truly appreciated. The Wall Isn't a Circle was INSANE! I adored this one. It consists of a program that allows people to drop into the consciousness of others and see things through their eyes. I loved that it quickly became this like conspiracy type story with a hidden agenda. It was phenomenal and had me hooked to the very end. I honestly was sad when this one ended because I needed more.

Da-ko-ta is about a young Native American boy who has been taken from his missionary school to assist Teddy Roosevelt in his hunt for a wendigo. Our main character is consumed with rage and the need for vengeance and spends most of the story plotting the best way to get it, while also angry at himself for wanting Roosevelt's attention and praise. I think this was a good one, but it threw in some elements it didn't really explain that sometimes made it difficult to follow. Squiddy was another one of those I just couldn't get into and struggled to follow. It was not really one for me and I don't really know what to say about it since I'm honestly still a bit confused about it. Halo follows a disgraced virologist sent to examine an outbreak that doesn't seem to have caused much harm to people. It turns out the virus causes people to become incredibly content and docile. I think the premise on this one was really cool, but most of it went over my head.

Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber felt a bit dark. We have a society where resources are limited and to get them people are required to sacrifice body parts. It was an interesting story but again one of those that I was mostly confused when reading. I do think it would make a great premise for a new scifi movie though. Summer of Thirty Years was a beautifully written story about grief, love and friendship. We have magic that allows loved ones to be brought back from the dead and the story is just phenomenal. It's full of love, sadness, enjoying the time you have and sacrifice for those you love. I adored this story and it made me cry. It was hands down my absolute favorite story. Butter Side Down was my second favorite because it was just this ridiculously funny concept. We have Joe a human who had developed a bond with this AI that was living in his toaster. It's a beautiful look at the need for compaionship and understanding. It's whimsical and fun. I really loved the way it was told and it was the perfect ending to the book.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year’s collection, Writers of the Future 39, had a specfic feel for me. There are definitely elements of speculative fiction in this year’s collection, but for me the focus was on friendships and loyalty, across all different worlds and times. The Edge of Where My Light is Cast, by Sky McKinnon, tells the story of a virtual-reality cat searching for her missing person. If your own kitty friend waits at the door for you or screams piteously if you take too long in the shower, you’ll be touched by this one.

Ok, so I almost skipped Five Days Until Sunset, by Lance Robinson, because I picked up religious overtones at the start. I usually deeply dislike fantasy that invents a new belief system, for the usual reasons, and faith in scifi can be iffy too, but here we have a solid specfic future, in which faith is used to highlight a moving story about how humans cope with change.

Settlers awaken from deep sleep on seed ships to colonize a new planet, but find that nothing is as as they expected. Earlier arrivals have left messages and released Earth animals and seeds, but there’s no sign of the other expected human colonists. I enjoyed this story a lot because the characters didn’t find themselves in a completely harsh, unlivable hellscape, but it was crucially different than their expectations, and they were all facing a shared and unexpected setback. The would-be colonists must defeat infighting, disappointment and misinformation, not murderous aliens or acid oceans or whatevs, which helped make a great story of cooperation and risk, set in with a wild space landscape. The hard scifi explanations for conditions in a distant galaxy, combined with the relatable anxieties and disappointed expectations made a compelling story. Possibly my favorite from this year’s Writers of the Future collection.

Butter Side Down, by Kal M, was also an amazing story. It’s told as investigative transcripts, which isn’t always my style. I’ve almost never read an epistolary novel without secretly wishing I was just reading the story… But I was pulled in by this intriguing account of a lone human member of a spaceship crew on trial for maybe saving a murderous AI. I mean, it becomes pretty clear that Joe did rescue a planet-destroyer, but wasn’t just a dumb human doing silly reckless human things? Doesn’t he have a pattern of dramatic rescues of crew acquaintances? It’s a really wonderful short story of reckless compassion and optimism.

Another surprising friendship can be found in The Imagalisk, by Galen Westlake. An old man, facing dementia and confusion, moves into a care home full of others with memory problems. Here, he re-meets his childhood imaginary friends, and discovers that almost all the residents have invisible childhood companions returned to them for the last season of their lives. A greedy staff member wants to find and sell off the source of this special power, and the seniors try to hold off their mental confusion and physical weakness long enough fight for their friends. Another moving story of unusual friendships in this year’s Writers of the Future.

[Emma]

This was my first time reading one of the annual Writers of the Future volumes. Volume 40 has fifteen stories and each one has an incredible illustration to accompany it.

Having not reviewed a collection before I am not sure the best way to do it, but I'll start by saying that overall I thoroughly enjoyed it! There is such a wide variety of settings and topics in the stories, so even if one may not be for you, another may be exactly what you are looking for. I'll touch on a few of my favourite themes and stories below.

Technology is a recurring theme through a lot of the stories, and the first story, 'The Edge of Where My Light is Cast' really tugged on my heart, exploring love and loss through an AI cat. If you have ever had a heart-pet, this story will ruin you. I was a mess at the heartbreakingly beautiful conclusion of this sweet tale.

On the other side of AI, 'The Wall Isn't a Circle' was genuinely unsettling. What starts out as fun time travel, ends with people being able to drop into a 'livestream' of other's consciousness and see what they are doing at any time. This is one of the ones where I would have quite happily (while chewing my nails down with anxiety), read more!

Another theme that popped up a few times was nature and the impact of humans upon it. 'Son, Spirit, Snake' looks at tradition and community, and how destructive consumerism damages not only the land but the spirits of the earth too. The atmosphere the writing evoked was really strong, and my heart went out to our main character.

'Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber' also touched on our destruction of planets and resources. People struggle to live on a world salted by billionaires who hoard all the resources for themselves, sacrificing their own flesh in order for the survival of their families.

A couple of stories I didn't connect as deeply with, but still enjoyed were 'The Imagalisk' (your imaginary friends come back to you in old age, yes, even if said friend was a giant panther with shoulder cannons!), and 'Butter Side Down' which might have the funniest opener I have read in a while. A sentient toaster called Breadna, heck yes?

The other stories were all great in their own rights, though for the sake of honesty, my least favourites were 'Squiddy' and 'The Last Drop'.

All in all, a great collection of stories that I am sure has something for all tastes! I had a great time reading, and was constantly amazed at the beautiful illustrations too.
Thank you so much to Galaxy Press for providing a copy through bookinfluencers in exchange for a review.

[jazmin ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

WRITERS OF THE FUTURE: VOL 40 🌌

✨ SUMMARY: This 40th anniversary edition of the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, the bestselling and most widely influential anthology of its kind, brings you 12 strikingly original stories and illustrations—by the best new creative talent in speculative fiction, all winners of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests. The collection is rounded out with 3 bonus stories plus 4 articles providing art and writing tips from bestselling authors and internationally renowned artists.

THE STORIES 🌌

“The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast” by Sky McKinnon, illustrated by Carina Zhang: When her owner goes missing, a digital housecat must become more than simulation to find her dearest companion through the virtual world.

“Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” by Stephannie Tallent illustrated by Ashley Cassaday: When a teenage swamp witch fears her mama will be killed, she utilizes her wits and the magic of the bayou—no matter the cost to her own soul.

“Five Days Until Sunset” by Lance Robinson, illustrated by Steven Bentley: Our exodus family awoke on the new world—a paradise inexplicably teeming with Earth life, the Promise fulfilled. But 154 of us are missing.…

“Da-ko-ta” by Amir Agoora, illustrated by Connor Chamberlain: In the shadows of Teddy Roosevelt’s wendigo hunt, a Native American boy resolves to turn the tables on his captors, setting his sights on the ultimate prey—America’s Great Chief.

“Butter Side Down” by Kal M, illustrated by Selena Meraki: Joe is a prospector tasked with exploring the cosmos on behalf of an all-powerful government. Breadna is a toaster. There have been weirder love
stories, but that’s unlikely.

… And more!

✨ THOUGHTS: an absolutely must read for fans of science fiction and fantasy stories! although all of these stories were amazing, i LOVED Summer of Thirty Years! plus the illustrations really add to the reading experience!

[Sachin Karnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: “Writers of the Future Volume 40”

As a longtime enthusiast of science fiction and fantasy, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of storytelling. The Writers of the Future series remains a beacon for emerging voices, and I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on this milestone volume.
Over forty years ago, L. Ron Hubbard initiated the Writers of the Future contest—a venture aimed at “paying it forward” to aspiring science fiction writers. Now, in its 40th volume, this anthology continues to showcase fresh voices and imaginative tales. Let’s dive into the captivating stories and discover the rising stars of speculative fiction.

Illustrations and Non-Fiction Pieces
• The volume features fifteen color illustrations, each capturing a moment from these enchanting stories.
• Essays on writing and illustration by Gregory Benford, Bob Eggleton, L. Ron Hubbard, and Dean Wesley Smith provide valuable insights for aspiring creators.

The following stories published here are real gems-
“The Last Drop” by L. Ron Hubbard and L. Sprague de Camp, illustrated by Chris Arias
“Halo” by Nancy Kress, illustrated by Lucas Durham
“Shaman Dreams” by S. M. Stirling, inspired by Dan dos Santos’s Starcatcher

Legacy and Celebration
• The Writers of the Future contest has nurtured hundreds of writers and illustrators, propelling them toward successful careers.
• The 40th volume celebrates this legacy, honouring winners from many countries.
• At the gala event, held in USA, the creative spirit thrives, bridging generations and genres.

In summary, “Writers of the Future Volume 40” invites readers to explore uncharted realms, discover hidden talents, and embrace the magic of storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned sci-fi enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this anthology promises wonder and inspiration

[Ainun Zahra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartiest gratitude to @galaxy_press and @bookinfluencerscom for giving me the honour to read and review the latest addition of Writers of the Future series. The stories are incredibly well written - perfectly combining fantasy with the futuristic vibe of scientific fiction while the illustrations have a dreamlike quality to them - capturing the heart and emotions of the plots.

🖇️ Overall Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ / 5.

☄️ The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
( Come on, I'm a cat mama. Of course, I'm obsessed with this story)
☄️ Son, Spirit, Snake : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (the illustration is *gorgeous*)
☄️ Nonzero : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
☄️ The Last Drop : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
☄️ Butter Side Down : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
☄️ The Imagalisk : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
☄️ Life and Death and Love in the Bayou : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☄️ The Wall Isn't a Circle : ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
☄️ Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☄️ Five Days Until Sunset : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
☄️ Da-ko-ta : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☄️ Halo : ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
☄️ Summer of Thirty Years : ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

As someone who really enjoyed volume 39, I was super stoked to grab this book. I read it slowly - savouring the stories bit by bit. To say that my expectations were well met would be an understatement. Thank you so much!

[Razzle Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but definitely not this. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed almost all of the stories included in this volume. It’s clear that the stories selected were the best of the best. They all had very clear plots that were well developed and made sense (even though they were short). I also really enjoyed the artwork included at the beginning of each story.

I definitely enjoyed this one. I may actually check out the previous volumes now as well.

[Kara (Books.and.salt) · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the second year running, I'm absolutely floored by the talent showcased in Writers of the Future! Each of these twelve stories is so unique, and it's mind-boggling how the artists created such breathtaking illustrations in just 30 days.

I am hard pressed to pick a favorite, especially when so many of these stories had me reaching for the tissues. Y’all know I’m a sucker for stories told through the eyes of animals, so ”The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast” by Sky McKinnon is high on my list with its bittersweet kitty lead. I also really loved Butter Side Down by Kal M, because what could be more romantic than a love affair between a human and a toaster? I smell love in the air!!!!! Or maybe that’s burnt toast.

The illustration that goes with Nancy Kress’ “Halo” by Lucas Durham (check it out on the second slide) is like a dream—a bit eerie but absolutely stunning. I’d jump at the chance to hang that beauty on my wall!

A huge thank you to the Galaxy Press for my gifted copy! If you’re looking to check out some new scifi authors, these anthologies are THE place to start!

[Spiri Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing edition! My favorite this year is the edge of where my light is cast and summer of thirty years! Always such beautiful artwork to accompany the short stories

[Lisa Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This incredible collection of science fiction and fantasy stories celebrates the talents of both authors and illustrators. I listened to the audiobook and followed along with a physical copy and I loved the combination to best absorb the unique creativity shown by these contest winners.

There are twelve original stories and illustrations and while I found something to enjoy in all of them I definitely had a few favorites that I will go back and reread to catch anything I may have missed the first time around. I would definitely recommend reading The Edge Of Where My Light Is Cast, Nonzero, and Life And Death And Love In The Bayou.

The bonus stories and tips from other authors and artists were also fascinating and anyone with any interest in writing in these genres would benefit by their expertise. I was truly amazed at the imaginative range of this anthology and I'm very glad I didn't have to judge them and could just enjoy and savor these fantastic masterpieces.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Fedythereader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for sharing a copy of this book with me on Bookinfluencers.com !!!

“I am light, and brilliance, and all doors will open before me”

This anthology surprised me in the best possible way!! A series of short stories to fill your days and read before bed. All sci-fi that readers can appreciate and love and follow with their whole hearts. I love the way every single story was written. How unique they were but also how unite they were in their genre. And the illustrations were absolute perfection!! Each and every single one of them, vivid and splendid and wonderfully representing the story they were designed for.
It has been a while since I found myself reading a science fiction book that felt this gripping, entertaining, magical interesting but also emotional. It was so diverse in its narrative and characters from the strangest creature to the most complex and magical AI system, it hooked me for real from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down!! Such a brilliant idea for an anthology !!
And it was also the best one to read to get out of a reading slump!! So glad I got to read it !!

“I almost never seem to dream anymore, but tonight, I think I will dream of superhero cards and Chinese checkers”

“The secret ingredient alchemists had overlooked all those millennia ago was obvious, now. Life”

[Evan Ladouceur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the long line of Writers of the Future anthologies, this volume offers a selection of fantasy and sf tales that struck me as generally journeyman efforts. Which, given this is a contest for new writers, makes sense. Still, I felt that prior volumes have brought some more polished work. The contest has an excellent track record of producing fine writers and future winners of major awards, so I do not disparage its propensity for picking winners; I will follow this crew of writers in the future. I was entertained by Butter Side Down, appreciated Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber, and was impressed by Son, Spirit, Snake. Worth picking up.

[Alwaysreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

12 wonderful sci-fi and fantasy stories from up and coming writers. I loved being a part of the worlds they create.

Each story is supported by a beautiful illustration, which aids your imagination.

My personal favourite is ‘the edge of where my light is cast’ by Sky McKinnon. A beautiful tale of a cat and a caretaker, who care and love for each other dearly.

‘’no matter where we wander, we will always be connected. She could not create me without imbuing her own love and being into me’’

If you are a fan of sci-fi and fantasy, then I recommend picking this up!!

[Rob Bleckly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my ARC (Advance Reading Copy) which came with a note saying "... and sharing an honest review." Really? The reviews I seen thus far look like paid advertisements. The reason I have an ARC is I regularly submit to L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future contest; I just haven't been judged as worthy as those appearing below - yet. My apologies to Juliet of Galaxy Press for not getting this done sooner.

So, let's be honest. I've been reading these annual volumes since issue four, they have got bigger, and better produced with full glossy illustrations and more diverse stories. Theres the rub. It makes Volume 40 a very mixed bag overall. A story for most reader’s taste and equally a story not to every reader’s taste. I’ll ignore the interview, the self-congratulatory reminisces, the blatant promo’s and concentrate on the 12 contest stories.

I did and will read the others and that's where Vol 40 loses its first star, half just for the obligatory L. Ron Hubbard story (with L. Sprague de Camp) – Some stories that worked in the pulp era doesn't cut it today. This one should have remained pulped. The interview with L Ron was more enlightening.

The stories: reviews subject to change without notice.

The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast by Sky McKinnon 2. SECOND QUARTER
Oh no, not another talking cat. Somebody could probably do a PhD thesis on “Sentient Cats In Speculative Fiction.” That said, I grew to like the story. The virtual cat, a creation of love, tells the story. At heart its mystery story as the cat pads through the virtual world of code, “Signals bouncing between ports” in search of ‘her’ missing creator. The writing is good and I found the end thought-provoking ****

Son, Spirit, Snake by Jack Nash 1. FOURTH QUARTER
A hard read at the beginning. It gets better as you get into to the strange culture, then it just gets weird and it made me wonder if the retelling of a cultural myth is SF. It's both fantasy and horror which in the broad context would make it SF. None of characters, though well-drawn, are unlikeable, which makes hard to feel for the plight. Considering the capricious gods, they worship it's not surprising. In the end, I guess I didn't get the point. ***

“Nonzero” Tom Vandermolen 2. FOURTH QUARTER
At last, something more science fictional. It's in space for start. The story's a classic case of be careful what you wish for. Susan always dreamt of going to space and her dream came true, tragically as it turns out. A beautifully written believable dilemma. *****

“The Imagalisk” Galen Westlake 2. FIRST QUARTER
Back to fantasy. Contemporary, urban, geriatric, comic, fantasy where your imaginary friends are real and some are dangerous. Like a giant panther with shoulder cannons. An enjoyable romp. ****

“Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” Stephannie Tallent 1. FIRST QUARTER
But wait there's more - fantasy again with a smattering of horror (and like a later story, the horror of what some humans can do to others. The spirit world helps Delphine get revenge for her mama. It's an easy read. The detailed characters, and their beliefs, helps bring the bayou to life but is it SF or simply a contemporary story with a witchcraft twist? ****

“Five Days Until Sunset” Lance Robinson 1. THIRD QUARTER
Now we're talking. I can't help but like this story, Our hero wakes from cryo and something is wrong The planetary day (& night) is seven years long. How the story evolves and the characters react to their discoveries I found thoroughly engaging. *****

“The Wall Isn’t a Circle” Rosalyn Robilliard 1. SECOND QUARTER
I really liked this story's opening, great ideas for time travel searches: 'Henry VIII doing poo' (very English), and app names: MindWeb, @EdPlays, and DocNav. Good characters and clever plotting but … when Macy went mind crawling through Adriana and Joe memories, albeit interesting idea it lost impetus. I kept thinking get on with the story. ****

“Da-ko-ta” Amir Agoora 3. FOURTH QUARTER
There's a lot to like in this story a demon possessed native American interacting with President Roosevelt to hunt a Wendigo. (very American this time) The language use, for the three main characters: the native boy, the white president, and the black servant, is excellent. Ends with plot twist. ****

“Squiddy” John Eric Schleicher 3. FIRST QUARTER
An unrelenting horror story, true horror not splatter punk. An addict in a decaying, parasitic-alien, invaded earth, goes in search of girl for a client and meets with violence, from his fellow humans, the aliens are innocent. ****

“Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber” James Davies 3. SECOND QUARTER
By far the best to date, that it only came third in its quarter amply demonstrates how good and bad stories are a matter of taste. For me it was brilliant in conception and near flawless in execution, (It wasn’t clear how he started the fabricator with him in the input). It overcomes a common colony world problem, that the advance science that got them is absent. I had an emotional reaction to "Rickie" in the finale. *****


“Summer of Thirty Years” Lisa Silverthorne 3. THIRD QUARTER
The opening, of people rising from their coffins, could easily mislead you to think this was a vampire story; far from it. More a story of love and sacrifice, well executed with nicely drawn characters but ultimately tragic. ****

“Butter Side Down” Kal M 2. THIRD QUARTER
Nothing short of brilliant. I absolutely loved this story for its wry humour. An average Joe falling in love with an AI super weapon, disguised a toaster, comic SF at its best. From the choice of names Joe, and Breadna, to the presentation through recorded logs and interviews, to the gradually blossoming romance everything works towards a satisfying and uplifting conclusion. *****

In conclusion, if you exclude the introduction, the percentage of stories has dropped from 42% in Vol4, to 33% by vol40 (contest info is now 5 big articles). "What's wrong that?" you ask. Nothing if you're a writer, but I would think an avid reader buying this expensive anthology (pages=cost) might feel a tad peeved at all the non-stories. (Aside: My library has a whole bookcase of SF anthologies which after the introductions contain only stories.)

Overall, if volume 40 contained nothing but the twelve contest winning stories and the three bonus stories, I could rate it four and a half stars. (I averaged my individual ratings to get 3.7 stars which rounds to 4.) Sadly, this volume presents as all previous volumes have, like a pulp magazine, mixing stories with feature articles, albeit with better paper and glossy colour illustrations. To make future volumes proper anthologies all the extraneous information should go on the website, with just a link from the book for those interested. And readers get a thinner value-for-money collection of stories from future writers.

[H. Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writers of the Future Volume 40 is an annual science fiction and fantasy anthology of new fiction and was a solid 4 star read!

I'm a sucker for a good anthology and when you add beautiful artwork to ago along with each story, it's a winner for me.

I was really impressed by the 39th volume and had very high expectations for this volume. I wasn't disappointed - this edition was just as imaginative and engaging as the last with, dare I say it, even more stunning illustrations. I won't go into any specific details of individual stories as they are short stories and I think detailing synopses would be giving too much away due to the nature of short stories but I will say that each story, for the most part, held their own amongst the others. Each narrative was unique and captivating from the first few sentences. Of course, there was the odd outlier which didn't specifically catch my attention and is why this was a 4 star read for me and not a 5 but that is the nature of an anthology. Anthologies provide snippets of so many different styles and stories and abilities that there is definitely something for everybody, and even if you don't fall in love with every single story, there will be something in there that catches your attention and draws you into an incredibly exciting world.

The illustrations to go along with each story were my favourite element of the anthology. It really brought the narratives to life and was always such a surprise - you never knew what the artists would choose to depict or in what art style, every story had something different.

Three absolute standout stories for me where 'Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbon Fiber by James Davies, 'Life and Death and Love in the Bayou' by Stephannie Tallen and 'Summer of Thirty Years' by Lisa Silverthorne. The stories and the accompanying artworks were just really powerful and engaging reads.

And something that I find really cool about these anthologies is the dedicated app LRH Novels that you can read them on!

***

This book was provided to the reviewer in exchange for a review and promotional content, however, all opinions are true and unbiased.

I've added some key details below!

About the book

The L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40 has released. This is an annual science fiction and fantasy anthology of new fiction.

Each year, the anthology includes includes 12 stories of science fiction and fantasy selected as the best of the year by bestselling authors Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Larry Niven, Kevin J. Anderson, Robert J. Sawyer and others. Each story is illustrated in full color by a winner of the Illustrators of the Future contest. The anthology also features the cover story from S.M. Stirling, a science fiction story from Nancy Kress and a humorous science fiction story from L. Ron Hubbard and L. Sprague de Camp. Additionally, there are 3 articles of writing and artist advice for those aspiring to make a path for themself.

About the contest

The stories and artists are selected through an anonymous judging process. These international contests are free to enter and are judged based on quality alone. There are no restrictions on age, race, gender, or creed. This is a completely level playing field for aspiring artists (Professionals are disqualified.)

The contests have been running for over 40 years. So we have over 900 winners. Here are a few that people may recognize:

- Patrick Rothfuss: The Name of the Wind

- David Farland: The Runelords series

- Eric Flint: 1632 series

- Ken Liu: The Dandelion Dynasty

- Nnedi Okorafor: Who Fears Death, Binti

- Diana Rowland: Kara Gillian series and White Trash Zombie series

- Brian Trent: Black Tide Rising series

Illustrator winners

Shaun Tan https://www.instagram.com/shauncytan/...

Brittany Jackson https://www.instagram.com/bea.gifted/

Omar Rayyan https://www.instagram.com/omarrayyana...

Irvin Rodriguez https://www.instagram.com/irvinrodrig...

Michael Michera https://www.instagram.com/michera.mac...

Eldar Zakirov https://www.instagram.com/eldarzakiro...

For more information on the book: https://galaxypress.com/new-release/w...

For more information the contests: https://writersofthefuture.com

[Book_withquotes · Rating 4 out of 5]

“L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40” is a stunning anthology that showcases the incredible talent of new and emerging writers in the realm of speculative fiction. This collection features twelve of the best stories selected by a panel of esteemed judges, accompanied by truly breathtaking illustrations created within a tight thirty-day timeframe. The stories in this volume span a wide variety of ideas, from those that feel light-years away from our current reality to others that are eerily realistic. Each story delves into thought-provoking questions about human nature while maintaining an element of fun and excitement.

The diversity in narrative and characters—from strange creatures to complex AI systems—ensures that there is something for every reader to enjoy. Particularly noteworthy are the last two stories, which, despite their vast differences, share a common thread of captivating storytelling. The anthology’s ability to surprise and engage the reader is one of its greatest strengths. It’s a perfect read for anyone looking to escape into a world of gripping, entertaining, and emotionally resonant science fiction. The illustrations in this collection are nothing short of perfection, vividly representing the stories they accompany. They add an extra layer of depth and enjoyment, enhancing the reader’s overall experience.

What sets this anthology apart is its focus on new authors, providing a platform for the next generation of major speculative fiction writers. The contest’s winners demonstrate a high level of craft, and their stories are thoughtfully arranged to create a cohesive and compelling arc throughout the book. “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40” is an excellent read for fans of speculative fiction and a valuable resource for aspiring writers looking to improve their craft. The anthology is not only a collection of stand-alone marvels but also a testament to the vibrant future of the genre. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to explore the imaginative and diverse worlds of speculative fiction.

[Kriti Dalmia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writers of the Future Volume 40 presented by L. Ron Hubbard

This anthology is a treasure trove of 12 imaginative tales and stunning illustrations that will captivate any science fiction and fantasy enthusiast. Edited by the talented Jody Lynn Nye, this anthology showcases the best new voices in speculative fiction, alongside contributions from established authors like L. Ron Hubbard, Nancy Kress, and S.M. Stirling.

From digital housecats navigating virtual worlds to teenage swamp witches using bayou magic, each story is unique and thought-provoking. This has stunning illustrations. The artwork, directed by Echo Chernik, complements the stories beautifully, adding an extra layer of depth and immersion. The volume includes insightful writing tips from industry veterans like Gregory Benford and Dean Wesley Smith, making it a valuable resource for aspiring writers.

📖 Favorite Stories:
- "The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast" by Sky McKinnon: A digital housecat's journey to find its missing owner in a virtual world is both heartwarming and thrilling.
- "Life and Death and Love in the Bayou" by Stephannie Tallent: A teenage witch's struggle to save her mother using bayou magic is a poignant tale of love and sacrifice.
- "Da-ko-ta" by Amir Agoora: Set against the backdrop of Teddy Roosevelt's wendigo hunt, this story of a Native American boy's quest for revenge is gripping and powerful.

These were favourite but I liked all of them, they were brilliant, beautifully done, captivating and awesome. I loved the art piece for each of them. Everyone will find some story they like because of the varied nature.

Writers of the Future Volume 40 is not just a collection of stories; it's a celebration of creativity and the boundless possibilities of the human imagination. Whether you're a long-time fan of the series or a newcomer, this volume is sure to leave you inspired and eager for more.

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

L Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Vol. 40, another anthology of twelve brilliant science-fiction and fantasy stories selected as the best of the year. Each story is illustrated in full color by a winner of the Illustrators of the Future contest. Along with this, there are 3 articles of writing and artist advice for the aspirants. And this time we get three more stories from the previous winners.

The stories are undoubtedly the best. These are captivating, imaginative, brilliantly written in the least of words, have marvelous world-building and immaculate descriptions. I was immediately immersed into the stories from the very first one, in which a digital housecat tries to find her missing owner through the virtual world. This time I listened to the audiobook, which has been perfectly narrated and with such beauty that I could imagine the scenes happening right in front of me.

The book is a must-have and must-read for every science-fiction or fantasy enthusiast. I'm glad that I could finish off the book so effortlessly, thanks to the perfect audiobook. The unrelated stories are each a piece of perfection. The brilliant artworks are also truly wonderful and worth being looked at with awe. The immaculate and vivid writing is phenomenally addictive and intriguing to the core. I'd suggest buying both the physical copy as well as the audiobook, for a surreal experience.

[Book Night Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm absolutely in love with this book.

It's great in its selection of stories, the pictures, and characters and it was definitely a memorable experience.

One of my favourite stories in this book was "The Imagalisk". The story is set in a nursing home, where the new resident, Dan Kennedy meets twins who seems to know who he is and what he used to be as a child. The story follows Dan Kennedy's realisation of who these siblings were and why they were in a nursing home.

Another one of my favourite story was "Son, Spirit, Snake". It followed the story of Etienne, who belonged to snake clan and worshipped spirits. But an incident caused him and his family to be abandoned by the spirits and the villagers. This was an interesting story that was full of suspense and anticipation of what will happen next.

The best thing about this book was its uniqueness. Each story was different from the other in the subject matter and its presentation and this made it really interesting to read each story in this book.

While "Halo" dealt with the story of a virus; "Five Days Until Sunset" talked about a group reaching a new planet; and "The Last Drop" was about a man who drank a cocktail that made him gigantic. As you can see, each of these are distinct from each other.

This is one of the best books to read for sci-fi and fantasy readers. It's also great for those who are beginners in these genres.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a beautifully written and illustrated anthology that covers all things science fiction and fantasy. I was slightly intimidated by its size and having so many different authors but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy this book was to read. There are so many talented authors and illustrators within these pages, it is truly such a special and unique thing to read. All these stories were amazing but two really stood out to me;

Butter Side Down, a human man falls in the love with a toaster ai that was possibly built to destroy whole galaxies - told through a series of excerpt logs

Five Days Until Sunset, the last of humanity is unexpectedly woken from their cryo-sleep, they later realise that they weren’t the first to wake up and that maybe this planet isn’t the paradise they’ve always dreamed of.


Before each story there was an introduction to the author and what inspired the story but also an introduction to the illustrator which I found so interesting to read. I’ll definitely be checking out some of the authors other works. There’s also a few chapters dedicated to interviews with fancy writers and insight into how the competition to have your story in this anthology works. After rating this book so highly, Im really looking forward to what next year’s anthology has in store.

[Avinash Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writers of the Future Contest is a breathtaking anthology that brings together the imaginative prowess of twelve diverse authors, each presenting a unique tale set in the realms of science fiction and fantasy. This collection is a treasure trove for fans of the genres, offering a mix of fresh perspectives and timeless themes.

The anthology opens with " The Edge of Where My Light is Cast ," a story that delves into the isolation of space travel and the human psyche. The author's vivid descriptions and poignant exploration of loneliness set a high bar for the rest of the collection.

The author's ability to craft a complex, thought-provoking narrative in a short format is truly commendable. While each story stands strong on its own, the anthology's true strength lies in its ability to present a cohesive experience despite the varying tones and styles. The illustrations are like cherry on cake.

It's a must-read for anyone looking to explore new worlds and ideas through the lens of speculative fiction.

Overall, Writers of the Future Contest is an amazing anthology that showcases the best of science fiction and fantasy. Highly recommended read for enthusiasts of the genres.

[Tannisa Mahanty · Rating 4 out of 5]

✔️Reluctant Hero
✔️Reimagined History
✔️ Found Family
✔️Alien Encounters
✔️Redemption

𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: - "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40" is your next must-read if you want to dive into a treasure trove of fresh science fiction and fantasy. Packed with 15 standout stories from new authors, this anthology isn’t just a collection—it’s a showcase of the genre’s brightest up-and-coming talents, complete with striking artwork and savvy writing advice.

Highlights include Lisa Silverthorne's "The Summer of Thirty Years," a heartwarming tale of enduring love and friendship on the Oregon coast, and Lance Robinson's "Five Days Until Sunset," a hard science fiction thrill ride about survival and tough decisions on a colonization mission. And don’t miss Galen Westlake’s inventive "The Imagalisk," Tom Vandermolen’s gripping "Nonzero," and Amir Agoora’s "Da-ko-ta," which takes a wild spin by casting Teddy Roosevelt as the villain.

Sure, a few stories might drag their feet a bit or get lost in details, but the anthology's variety makes up for it. "Writers of the Future Volume 40" is a celebration of inventive storytelling and a solid pick for anyone eager to explore the next wave of genre talent.

[Tiff Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I had the pleasure of reading volume 39 of L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers Of The Future and I loved so many of the short stories in it, so when I was sent Volume 40 I couldn’t wait to dive in. Like last year this volume has 12 original stories that were selected by the contest judges.
Each of the stories is unique and the talent that has been discovered is evident in these tales. A few of my favorites are Son, Spirit, Snake; The Edge Of Where My Light Is Cast; The Imagalisk; and Life And Death And Love In The Bayou.
The Imagalisk was especially interesting as it dealt with an elderly man who is placed in a long-term facility where for some mysterious reason is a place where you are reunited with your childhood imaginary friends called Ifs. Working long-term care I can envision my residents and what their Ifs could be.
Life and Death in the Bayou is a tale of a girl who does what she has to do to save her mother from an abusive partner.
I can go on and on about each story but I don’t want to give too much away. You just need to get your hands on a copy and give it a read. Also, don’t mind the chew marks. My goat got a bit hungry 😉

[Darren Lipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening story, “The Edge of Where My Light Is Cast,” by Sky McKinnon, is a touching tale about an AI cat and her journey to find her missing owner. It’s full of brisk imagery, sharp sensory details, and compelling settings.

“Son, Spirit, Snake” by Jack Nash started a bit slow for my tastes, but as the world came into view, I fell more and more deeply into the story. Set in a world in which spirits walk freely, it follows a young boy after the death of his brother. It’s a story of grief and life after death, but it’s also a story of the struggle to live. With mild themes of anti-capitalism and workers’ rights rounding out the emotional trajectory, the story feels both classic and modern, with contemporary depths at its core. Highly enjoyable and well worth the time it takes to read.

Next was Tom Vandermolen’s story “Nonzero.” This short but provocative story explores what would happen to a person lost in space. It’s engaging, poignant, and left me wanting more.

These first three stories are followed by an article, “On Writing and Science Fiction,” and a short story, “The Last Drop,” by L. Ron Hubbard, the latter also co-authored by L. Sprague de Camp. The article is excerpted from an interview and provides insight into Hubbard’s thoughts on the genre and his writing habits. The story is a fun and comedic romp, and I enjoyed reading it.

“The Imagalisk” by Galen Westlake centers on a cast of older characters in an assisted-living facility. The writing flows smoothly and held my attention the entire time. I can’t go into the plot much without spoiling it, but this was another touching story, facing themes such as aging, family relationships, and staying young at heart.

Next was “Life and Death and Love in the Bayou” by Stephanie Tallent. Character-driven and rich with sensory detail, this story immediately transported me to the bayou, and I could see and smell the setting with excruciating detail.

Lance Robinson’s “Five Days Until Sunset” followed, a story as much about an idea as about the characters that bring it to life. While at times the writing veers into the expository, it’s an enjoyable read and the characters bring the explorations to life in a way that reminds me of the greats of classic science fiction.

After a couple essays reflecting on the contest’s 40 years, there’s a story by S.M. Stirling called “Shaman Dreams,” inspired by Dan Dos Santos’s amazing cover art, “Starcatcher.” The story, for me, pales in comparison to the artwork; it feels more like an overly-detailed slice of life vignette than a story, light on character and lighter on plot. The descriptions are vivid and the setting comes to life, but the story itself felt lacking to me, not to my usual tastes.

“The Wall Isn’t a Circle” by Rosalyn Robilliard is one of the longest stories in the anthology; over ten percent of the entire book, it’s nothing short of a novelette. And yet, it’s obvious why this story was a winner: it’s captivating and easy to get lost in, in more ways than one. It’s a cyberpunk romp through multiple layers of consciousness and computers; it’s a modern “Neuromancer” rife with the contemporary implications of social media, cyber exploitation, and corporate greed, all smoothed over with questions around personal identity and sisterly love. It’s an exceptional story and I loved every moment reading it.

“Da-ko-ta” by Amir Agoora is a historical fantasy that explores a diverse range of issues. The story is imaginative and well-written, and I liked how Agoora slowly built tension throughout the story. While not my personal favorite so far, there’s no arguing it’s a good story.

The next story, “Squiddy,” was written by John Eric Schleicher. In a word, this story is gritty. It’s as engaging as can be and hooked me from the start, rich with character, voice, and dark realism. While the story leaves a lot of unanswered questions, it feels complete and ends on a hopeful note. This is definitely one of my favorites in the anthology.

After a delightful essay about the artist contest by Bob Eggleton, readers are presented with “Halo” by Nancy Kress. This story, which can’t be better described ad anything but an epidemiological procedural, is engaging and thought-provoking. The writing flows smoothly and could just as easily be a novel than a short story. I could easily say this is one of the best stories in the anthology, but given the contest-winning stories are by authors just at the start of their careers makes this feel like an unfair assessment.

The next contest-winning story is “Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber” by James Davies, which has got to have one of the best titles in the entire collection. The story considers what would happen if transmutation were possible—and the fuel source was living matter. It explores ideas of capitalism gone wrong, death and rebirth, and how small acts can have big consequences. While at times the story seemed to progress slowly, the world building was exceptional and the pacing steady enough that I couldn’t put the story down.

The penultimate story was “Summer of Thirty Years” by Lisa Silverthorne. This heartfelt story about death and dying and grief is as intimate as they come, full of rich sensory details celebrating the richness of life. If you’re prone to tears, best to bring tissues when you read this one.

Finally was Kal M’s story “Butter Side Down,” the other of the two longest stories in the anthology. An exploration of human nature, friendship, and the purpose of humanity, this epistolary tale has a more humorous bent than others in the anthology. It wasn’t my particular brand of humor, but I enjoyed the storytelling very much and liked how it slowly built from one scene to the next. There were a few parts that were hard to read given the nature of the epistolary format, but these instances aside, it was a great story.

Overall, this anthology was an adventure, full of amazing stories from writers who no doubt will become household names in the future. If you’re a fan of science fiction and fantasy, this book is a must-read.