L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 37

by L. Ron Hubbard, Orson Scott Card, Jody Lynn Nye

The Sci-Fi and Fantasy of Tomorrow Selected by Masters of Today
26 Award-winning Authors and Illustrators
Get ready to get carried away … to places no one has ever gone before.

Turn the page … from dark fantasy to dystopian nightmare, from magical realism to military science, from paranormal urban fantasy to post-apocalyptic power trips … and beyond.

Take flight on a starship powered by a godlike being, willing to go to any length to know what it is to be human. Delve into the psyche of a scientist who must choose between ambition and compassion while compelled to participate in a secret and sadistic government project. Get lost in the chilling Museum of Modern Warfare, where one woman is about to discover life-changing secrets. Experience the stories that challenge our sense of self—and our sense of the world. And that’s just the beginning of your journey.…

Discover the mesmerizing power of these new stories, thought-provoking new ideas, brilliant new horizons, and astounding new writers and illustrators—the chosen ones, selected by today’s bestselling science fiction and fantasy authors and artists.

___________________________

3 Bonus Short Stories by
L. Ron Hubbard • Jody Lynn Nye • Kristine Kathryn Rusch

“The Dangerous Dimension” by L. Ron Hubbard: Meek Dr. Henry Mudge has a dramatic personality change after discovering a mathematical equation that transports him to any place in the universe he can think of.…

“The Phoenixes’ War” by Jody Lynn Nye: When a lover’s gift to her king turns out to be a perilous trap, the Phoenixes and their priestess face a test that will decide the fate of two realms.…

“Museum of Modern Warfare” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch: When an ambassador is asked to inspect the controversial Museum of Modern Warfare, she discovers life-changing secrets.…

___________________________

Art and Writing Tips by
L. Ron Hubbard • Orson Scott Card • Craig Elliott

“Magic Out of a Hat” by L. Ron Hubbard: From a challenge to write a story inspired by a completely uninspiring wastebasket, Ron provides timeless insight on generating a solid story idea and also reveals a bit of the effusive spirit that he brought to the magic of writing.

“On Magic Out of a Hat” by Orson Scott Card: Card discusses and expands upon Hubbard’s article breaking down the techniques Ron used to create a story from a simple object. Card also explores the history of memorable speculative fiction and what makes it great.

“The Rewards of Imagination” by Craig Elliott: In addition to his fine-art work, Craig has had a hand in designing many of today’s most popular animated films. Here Craig expounds on the value and need for creative artists and their impact on our society.

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

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

L. Ron Hubbard is universally acclaimed as the single most influential author and humanitarian of this modern age. His definitive works on the mind and spirit—comprising over 350 million copies in circulation and more than 40 international bestsellers—have resulted in a legacy benefiting millions and a movement spanning all cultures.

Reviews

[Lou Sytsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few guaranteed quality creative products in life but the annual volume of The Writer of Future is one of them. The life blood of this series is hungry new writers of Speculative Fiction looking to crack the published market. I've been a regular reader of this series for longer than I can remember and received an ARC of this volume for review.

Each year - for 37 years now - WOTF has showcased speculative fiction short stories from the SF, fantasy, and horror genres. Generally the stories are upbeat ones even if the setting is the most dire or apocalyptic.

This year's collection has a good mix of genres with standouts for me being:
1) The Tiger & The Waif - about a lost girl and a AI in the body of a cat
2) Sixers - a story that 'shines' about gifted people finding new family amidst the setting of a destructive war
3) The Widow's Might - a fun steam punk cozy
4) How To Steal the Plot Armor - a fun romp that pokes fun at fantasy/mentor conventions
5) Soul Paper - touching tale of a girl and her grandpa and their shared talent of soul sharing
6) Skin of My Mother - creepy but effective tale of a bond between a mother and daughter

Plus eight more tales from new writers that include a unique take on time travelling, a demon hunter, and a Star Trek type of story that would feel right at home on your TV screen.

The book also includes stories or articles from pros such as L. Ron Hubbard, Kristin Kathryn Rusch, Orson Scott Card, Jody Lynn Nye, and Craig Elliot.

Want a chance to see the launch for future speculative fiction stars?

This series is your best bet to do so.

[Theresa]

"The Tiger and the Waif
By John Campbell
An interesting change to most apocalypse stories. An android cat saves a young girl in the aftermath of events that takes his memories, and her world. A great story of perception, responsibility, and compassion"

"Sixers"
By Barbara Lund
A twist on human greed and freedom. The invention of new warfare devastated the world. A mother attempts to check on her son. After loosing her entire family she may have found a new family that needs her even more. A story of loss and found of devastation and redemption."

"The Enfield report
BY Christopher Bowthrope

The brutal nature of war makes the evilest of men. The mad scientist hired by the government to do the experiments we don't feel anyone less could do. How would you rectify your participation even if it was innocent and unknowing. A dark look at human nature."

"The widow's might
Elizabeth Chaysworth
The down trodden have a new group of crime fighting individuals. The widows have a new order for the next more balanced world. Can they avenge a lost tabby, or a broken tea pot."

magic out of a hat
L ron Hubbard
A twist of fate a lost empire for the want of a message. Missed by those whom know not its reason. A great story pulled out of a contest of making a story from items in a hotel room."

On "magic out of a hat " by orson scott card
The remarkable impression of Hubbard's influence on writers and readers in the future. The stories remarkable change to the processes of writing.

The dangerous dimension by L. Ron Hubbard

How to steal the plot armor by luke wildman

the redemption of brother adalum by K.D. Julicher

The argentum by Anj Dockrey

The Phoenixes war by Jody Lynn Nye

soul paper by trent Walters

The skin of mother by Erik Lynd

Death of a Time traveler by Sara fox

The Battle of Donasi by Elaine Midcoh

The rewards of imagination by Craig Elliot

the museum of Modern WarFare by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

A demon hunter's guide to Passover Seder by Ryan Cole

Hemingway by Emma Washburn

half breed by Brittany Rainsdon

[Tim Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writers of the Future Volume 37 packs 12 winners, 2 finalists, and stories and essays by seasoned professionals that are all enjoyable.
I daren’t tell my talkative Siamese that there are magazines that say ‘no cat stories’. With The Tiger and the Waif, Volume 37 opens with a ‘feloid’ story that successfully mixes humour and cuteness with enough tech detail to convince and provide a warming tale. Andre Mata’s picture is my favourite.
Sixers moves emerging psychic abilities into a scifi war zone. The reader feels the dangers and emotions of the protagonist who adopts a new family.
My favourite story, The Enfield Report, is proper page-turner. What a great idea to have the military employ a despicable psychopath to ‘explore’ a captured alien while the doctor forced to be his assistant struggles with her ethics. A gripping read.
Set in Victorian Connecticut, The Widow’s Might has rich descriptions and exquisite details that pulled me into every scene. Conveyor belts leading to stamping machines and favourite teapots tell you that this is a fun adventure of a story – the type of which my Siamese cat approves (you’ve got to read the story to get that comment!) Elizabeth has a lovely writing style.
I’ve read Magic Out of a Hat before and maybe a piece on it. However, Orson Scott Card’s notes on the story are interesting, educational and well worth studying by any aspiring writer.
I enjoyed L Ron Hubbard’s fun story, Dangerous Dimensions but I’m particularly glad the editor included Mr Hubbard’s philosophical enquiry and response to letters – it’s educational, interesting and indicative of a sharp mind.
How to Steal the Plot Armour cleverly and humorously picks at fantasy tropes in a tale with twists, turns and a great, unexpected end. Shame there couldn’t be more first places.
I’ve read a bear-spirt story by KD Julicher before. For me, ‘The Redemption of Brother Adam’ is a stronger story for the inner struggle of the main character.
The Argentum is a mystery presented in a scifi mining setting with more than enough events and geological snippets to convince me. It’s an engaging tale that’s easy to read with interesting thoughts on the energy of life, and on being human.
The Phoenixes’ War was my least favourite story by some distance. Since it’s written by a bestselling author, this is clearly a matter of taste. Oh well, can’t like everything.
Soul Paper is a charming, gentle, bitter-sweet story written with feeling. It reads like one that I might find in a literary magazine. It pulls me into a family and invites me to consider what makes a soul. Have I already nominated my favourite story?
The Skin of My Mother is dark, foreboding, intriguing and mysterious. ‘Her whole face writhed with wrinkles’ is just one of a number of great lines. Some family responsibilities can’t be escaped. I loved this story. It’s another that I would have had in 1st place.
Death of a Time Traveller reads like a short story sequel to Time-Traveller’s Wife. It’s just as nicely written and the puzzle it poses is the sort that my wife and I will debate whenever we watch something involving time travel. Presenting it in 2nd person didn’t add anything for me and I know will annoy some readers. Nevertheless, this has plenty of emotional pulls.
History suggests that various empires on Earth gave little consideration to the people of conquered lands. The Battle of Donesi shows what might happen when there’s a lack of understanding between interplanetary cultures but gives hope that mankind can learn from history.
I can see why The Museum of Modern Warfare is so popular and I have favourited Rusch’s site to read more of hers.
A Demon Hunter’s Guide to Passover Seder is a well-told story that’s introduced me to loads of Jewish words, ceremonies and traditions. Scary stuff this religion! Great art.
I loved Hemingway – another story with a literary feel. As a girl grows up so the sea level rises and maybe it drowns her imagination. Darn it, have I already nominated my favourite story?
Half-Breed is a very imaginative story about prejudice and sacrifice with a great ending. I look forward to reading more from Brittany – in V38.

[Roberta Crisp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writers of the Future
L. Ron Hubbard

Writers of the Future is a fine concoction of original stories and artwork that will leave you begging for more. Each story is unique and delve into fictional fantasies. The wonderful descriptive detail imprints a picture in your mind that does not disappear instantly as the stories end. More writings from these excellent writers will be refreshing for the fantasy world. I really can’t say I have a favorite story because they are all so unique and wonderful in their own way. So, I’m going to give you a little synopsis of each story and try not to give away any spoilers.

The first story is The Tiger and the Waif which tells about a young girl and an android cat. The world they live in is falling apart and the child lost her mother. Would the cat be able to assist her?

The second story is called Sixers. This story tells a tale of an old lady and three boys. The sixers means that they have a sixth sense and can they predict what will happen next?

Number three is The Enfield Report and talks about an insane doctor who wants to kill an alien creature called a Nossian. He is afraid that the aliens will kill everyone on the planet.

The next story is called The Widow’s Might. It tells how people in her town are sick of the mob controlling their city and want to do something about it but are afraid of what might happen.

Magic Out of a Hat is a tale about a Russian hat. The hat was determined to control what happened in history in Russia everywhere it went.

The sixth story The Dangerous Dimension talks about positive and negative dimensions and especially the negative fourth dimension. What will it allow to happen?

Next, we have How to Steal the Plot Armor. The kingdom has a cursed corner stone to protect the king. A knight and a mage want to bring the castle down by destroying the stone and restoring harmony in the kingdom.

The Redemption of Brother Adalum is the eighth story. It spins a tale about a monk that has a sorted past. He tries to keep the bear inside him and under control so he will not destroy everyone and everything.

I always like a good love story with fantasy involved and The Argentum gives me what I desire from the love of Argent and Merope and of course a magic orb.

The Phoenixes’ War, number ten, weaves a tale about a king that was madly in love with a demi-goddess and wanted to marry her. He disappears on a magical horse that she had given him as a present and no one knows where he went.
What is a soul a child wants to know? Soul Paper takes the child to visit her grandfather in the insane asylum and he tries to explain to her what a soul is. But still, everyone keeps telling her she is too young to understand what a soul is even after she approaches the preacher in her church.

In this eerie story and number twelve, The Skin of my Mother, shows a young woman going home to kill her mother who tormented her all her life.

“Time is but a loop,” in The Death of a Time Traveler. The father they knew all their life would die as a time traveler. I guess I never thought about a time traveler dying before.

If you enjoy a space battle, this story is for you. The Battle of Danasi will satisfy this craving as the crew
tries to survive the battle.

The Rewards of Imagination, number fifteen, shares why artists can see what the ordinary person cannot see. Creativity Is part of their life’s balance.

A war has occurred between aliens and humans. After the war ended, the aliens constructed a museum about the war. An officer is allowed to visit the museum because there had been a lot of complaints about what the aliens put in The Museum of Modern Warfare.

In story number seventeen, demons are all around us in A Demon Hunter’s Guide to Passover Seder. Demon hunters inherit the ability to see demons and they protect us from them when we do things to attract the monsters. Most of us do not have the ability to see demons or know what to do to get rid of them.
The tale, Hemmingway, is a touching story and very reminiscent of the way that Hemmingway wrote and stories that he told.

There are fictional creatures called Dryads that live among us and control nature. A girl is half-human and half-Dryad in Half-Breed which is our final story. She is bullied and teased unmercifully at school, and she must decide if she wants to be a human or a Dryad with magical powers.

This edition of Writers of the Future will not disappoint you in any way with the fine selection of stories and fabulous art that depicts pictures from each tale.

[Leo Aguerrebere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this anthology. I would recommend it to anyone. The quality is more consistent than in other anthologies that I have read/watched. If you submitted a story and got a rejection know that there is no shame in losing against these guys.
But since this is an anthology I´ll review each one separately.


The tiger and the waif is a very good opening story. How can you not warm up to a story where the main character is a robotic pet cat?. 9/10
Sixers is a good Mad Max meets Scanners kind of tale. 8/10
The Enfield report kind of reminded me of a story in volume 25 (Gone Black) presenting a somewhat similar scenario. Though it was different enough to make it a good story in it's own right. 8/10.
The widow's might was a good story. Seemed like a setup for a larger story. Morrigan makes for an intriguing character. The plot is pretty straight forward. 7/10
If you want to be writer, Magic out of a hat (both essays) are a must read.
The dangerous dimension by L. Ron Hubbard himself is a lot of fun. You know enough about the protagonist to care about his plight. 9/10.
How to steal the plot armor is perfect. With a Merlin kind of protagonist that just wants to be left alone, as opposed to mentoring and guiding "heroes". It takes every traditional fantasy/adventure story and gives it a fun twist. The story is full of surprises and characters that will stay with you long after you read it. One of my favourite short stories (and I don't mean just from this anthology) Definitely 10/10.
The redemption of father Adalum is a very well written tale. You feel the protagonist's inner struggle and his world feels real and lived in. You kind of know early on where the story is going though. 8/10.
The Argentum is a touching love story that deals with what it means to be human. It deals with universal subjects like love, family and mortality. 8/10.
The Phoenixes' war is a very well written story. It has a strong beginning but I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous stories. 7/10.
Soul Paper...well I guess this story was not for me. The protagonist and her grandpa were likeable enough. It may be that is not my kind of story. 6/10.
The skin of my mother is a creepy little story. Very well written and with a wonderful unexpected ending. 9/10.
Death of a time traveller is a story about life, death and grief. It is a situation we could all relate to, except for the time travel. Touching and intelligent. 9/10.
(Elaine Midcoh: I am curios about that celebration.)
The battle of Donasi is another perfect story. Full of suspense, action and enough world building. I would totally read more stories set in this universe. If you like Star Trek but done right, you are going to love this one 10/10.
The rewards of imagination, while written by a visual artist, actually applies to all forms of art. There were moments when I felt the author was talking to me specifically. I enjoyed reading it.
The museum of modern warfare is not about the battle itself. It's about the aftermath. The survivors dealing with their experiences. And how different cultures deal with death differently. I don't know what kind of experience the writer has or what kind of research she did but I found it all believable. A very human story, even if some characters are not human. Definitely worth a 10/10.
The Demon's Hunter guide to Passover Seder is a nice little horror story based on Jewish religion. The protagonist is taking up a responsibility he feels he is not fully prepared for. And then there is the protagonist's teenage brother and his girlfriend. Is it weird their reactions to rituals to keep the demons of the story away reminded me of the Covid 19 pandemic?. How some people (mostly teenagers and at least a couple of presidents) didn't take precaution measures seriously and even mocked them ("gripezinha", or" is not real") and wanted to rebel against them?. Some out of frustration. Some out of ignorance. You can really feel the protagonist's frustration. Maybe I'm over thinking it. Anyway, the story deserves a 9/10.
Hemingway seems to have been written with a younger audience in mind. It is a relatively short story with two likeable characters. 7/10.
Half-breed ends the anthology on a very high note. Tolerance. Understanding. Finding your place in the world. Empathy. It has it all. A relatable protagonist. A rich mythology. This story will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Definitely 10/10.

[Norabele · Rating 4 out of 5]

authors from around the globe; out-of-this-world writing

From a steampunk Victorian tea shop owner, a sentient AI kitten, and a sixth-senser, to a virologist balancing upon the razor’s edge between science, ambition and ethics, fourteen talented emerging authors present world views, or out-of-this-world views to pique the interest and stretch the realms of the possible. Paired with three stories from established authors including L. Ron Hubbard himself, the Writers of the Future Volume 37 whisks us from magical kingdoms and paranormal lands to humble households where to identity is more than skin deep. With illustrations created for the tales they grace, essays on writing and illustration, and one ekphrastic story based upon “Phoenix Passage,” the cover illustration, this anthology is a wonderful collection of short stories and visual highlights.

As expected, the stories range from sci-fi to genre-blending fiction. The Tiger and the Waif, by John M. Campbell (illustration by André Mata), presents a somewhat dystopian future of loss and want following a catastrophic earthquake – lightened by the presence of one small toy kitten, powered by sunlight, and programmed with AI based upon paradigms enabling it to learn, adapt, and choose.

Among the more paranormal selections, Half-Breed (author Brittnay Rainsdon, illustrator Daniel Britton) follows a teen who must decide whether she will remain on a pre-determined path between the ancient and the new, between humans and dryads – or grapple with growing tensions head-on, and branch off in a new direction. In How to Steal the Plot Armor (author Luke Wildman, illustrator Dan Watson), a wizard tires of leading yet another “chosen one” to self-realization and fulfillment, calling in the chits he’d amassed through the years to arrive at a catharsis of his own. And The Redemption of Brother Adalum (author K.D. Julicher, illustrator Isabel Gibney) follows a man keeping his inner warrior-bear spirit at bay until he passes from the relative safety of monastic penance to a crucible of true testing.

Spicing the gumbo of emerging writers, The Dangerous Dimension by L. Ron Hubbard (illustrator Anh Le) depicts the personality changes experienced by a mild-mannered professor who postulates, and solves, a mathematical equation enabling immediate transposition to any conceivable time or place. Among the sci-fi compositions of emerging authors, The Argentum (author Anj Dockrey, illustrator Rupam Grimoeuvre) presents the intersection of a god-like entity and one particular voyager among the miner/colonists arriving from Earth who introduces the temptation to learn what it is like to be human. The Enfield Report (author Christopher Bowthorpe, illustrator Stephen Spinas) explores the Occam’s Razor upon which a scientist’s decisions to succumb or thrive are hewn. A grandmotherly woman at sixes and sevens with her son, carrying a special pass defining her as “not special,” helps a trio of orphans to cross a war-torn city – learning, along the way, that neither the orphans, nor her own son, are what they seem, in Sixers (author Barbara Lund, illustrator Will Knight).

With art as varied in style and tone as the writing, the illustrations of the WOTF anthology provide a glimpse at the possibilities of genre illustration. The Illustrators of the Future Contest winners come from many nations, many backgrounds, many styles. As illustrator and Essayist Echo Chernic states, “[w]hen the entrants are narrowed down to a few pieces – some really good portraits and drawings versus one that tells a story – I’ll go with the piece that tells the story.” Inspired by the stories presented here in Volume 37, by observation, imagination and emotion, the illustrators in the anthology weave bridges of line, space and color between the text and each reader’s own imaginative realizations. These are illustrations for people who want to read challenging stories, explore new vistas, and possibly meet fellow-travelers along the way, in the pages of the Writers of the Future series of anthologies.

[Jason Bleckly · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this is an anthology it's fruitless to rate the total book, so I'll put down a few words about each story.
The Tiger and the Waif by John M Campbell
Crap. Skip it. God knows how it got 1st place in the 4th quarter. Pretentious writing to cover a puerile story.
Sixers by Barbara Lund. Psychic powers in a war zone. Quite well written and characterized. The fight scene is a little mechanical and Grandma turning into Rambo isn't credible. The conclusion isn't really linked to the story resulting in an unsatisfying ending.
The Enfield Report by Christopher Bowthorpe. A story advocating vivisection and torture where the protagonist reconciles her personal gain from it by saying 'It's complicated'. The story is well written. The scene setting is good. The action is good. The dialogue is good. Even the villain is a nicely drawn Hannibal Lector. The protagonists motivations, behaviour, and concluding rationalistions aren't credible leaving the whole story feeling like gratuitous violence.
The Widow's Might by Elizabeth Chatsworth. An almost comicbook style steampunk adventure. There's a few small annoying technical problems. Gin does not explode like gunpowder. But my biggest criticism is the lifelessness of the characters. They all behave and sound the same. I felt nothing from any of them.
Couple of essays and short story on writing I'm not going to review, but are worth a read, by L Ron and OS Card.
How to Steal the Plot Armor by Dan Watson. This is the first really good story in the anthology. A fantasy with a twist. It's not comic fantasy in the traditional sense, it puts a sarcastic twist to fantasy quest stories. The main character is very well drawn, the others less so. Particularly the princess who is very much a cardboard cutout.
The Redemption of Brother Adalum by K. D. Julicher. Not an original plot, but what it lacks there it more than makes up for in craftsmanship. A superb balance of characterization, setting, introspection, action. It is easy and enjoyable to read. My one criticism is the overuse of titles like archemandrite and satrap. They are used correctly, but in a short story giving minor characters both names and titles made it a little confusing as to who was which.
The Argentum by Anj Dockrey. Crap. Skip it. A shallow romance with an AI filled with dialogue as wooden as a 2x4. There's a glimmer of interest towards the end with the AI in search of souls, but it's glossed over. Nothing can save the atrocious writing. I should have followed my gut and stopped reading after the 2nd page. It's as bad as the first story.
The Phoenixes' War filler story by Jody Lynn Nye to make the anthology the right length. An elegant high fantasy tale of rescuing a kidnapped king. The quality is what you would expect from a seasoned author.
Soul Paper by Trent Walters. Good plotting. Well drawn characters. Great scene setting. I disliked it. It's proselytising badly disguised as fiction with a nonsensical fantastical element tacked on to the end. If he climbs down from the pulpit could write something enjoyable to read.
The Skin of My Mother by Erik Lynd - A very short story. Too short to really car about any of the characters.There is a nice twist in the end, but the story is too long for the simplistic tale. Too much time is spent on scenery. It's not badly written though. The whole thing is just a bit meh.
Death of a Time Traveler by Sara Fox - Gets novelty points for 2nd person POV which is rarely seen outside of Choose Your Own Adventure books as it's not an enjoyable reading experience. Story relies too heavily on The Time Traveler's Wife concept. It's saving grace is it's brevity. You'll miss nothing by skipping it.
The Battle of Donasi by Elaine Midcoh - We come in peace, shoot to kill. So Star Trek it borders on a law suit. That said, it was an enjoyable read, until the end. The action from the human side was good and inevitable, the alien reaction was dumb. And then it ended. It would have been better to finish the story a paragraph or two earlier and leave the alien reaction untold an up to the reader. Then it would be a first rate story.
The Rewards of Imagination essay by Craig Elliott - essay on art, if that's your thing.
The Museum of Modern Warfare filler story by Kristine Kathryn Rusch to make the anthology the right length - A visit to a war memorial where certain key concepts were lost in translation. The caliber of story telling you'd expect from a multi-award winning author.
A Demon Hunter's Guide to Passover Seder by Ryan Cole - Specialist terms used without context or explanation making a significant amount of the story indecipherable to someone not versed in the particular religious dogma the story relies on. Not badly written, just meaningless.
Hemingway by Emma Washburn - It's aiming to be some sort of childlike fairytale parable, but comes across as childish copycat relying on references to other fiction to make it's point. It contains nothing original to itself. At least it's very short.
Half-Breed by Brittany Rainsdon - This was only a finalist, yet one of the best stories in the anthology. An urban fantasy coming of age with race relations thrown in. Slightly repetitive on the not being accepted theme, but not enough to seriously detract from the story.

[Rebecca Treasure · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Farland and Galaxy Press deliver another excellent anthology full of new authors and established storytellers, as well as beautiful artwork and interesting essays on writing. The Tiger and the Waif opens the anthology with a touching story about an AI kitty- a unique take on the familiar robot-with-feelings theme. Sixers, the Volume 37 Golden Pen Award Winner, draws the reader into a dystopia where the world is dark but people still have kindness and courage. The Enfield Report, a scifi horror, is a chilling take on what an alien species might be like, and what is alien in humanity. The Widow's Might is a delightful romp, clever and funny - a breath of fresh air! The standard Hubbard inclusions - Magic Out of a Hat provide an insight into Hubbard's writing style as well as valuable tips for writers. Card's commentary on Magic Out of a Hat is similarly insightful. The Dangerous Dimension, also by Hubbard, opens with a strange philosophical treatise that frankly felt out of place to this reader, but the story itself is delightful (minus the dated ending, poor Lizzie deserves better!). How to Steal the Plot Armor is an absolutely hilarious, delightful, downright FUN story that will delight writers and many readers. Some of the in-jokes might be too much for a few readers, but overall it is another light-hearted and fun story in an often serious series of anthologies. The Redemption of Brother Adalum is a wondrous secondary world fantasy, rich and imaginative with deep heart. The Argentum, one of the slower pieces in the volume, will appeal to scifi romance fans. The Phoenixes' War continues in Nye's world from Volume 36, reflecting the cover art of artist Echo Chernik, and delivers an exciting adventure. Soul Paper is a more literary offering than is typical for the Writers of the Future collections, a beautifully written story. The Skin of My Mother is a surprising story, extremely compelling. Death of a Time Traveler is a convoluted, emotional tale about what time travel would do to family. The Battle of Donasi is firmly in the tradition of Ender's Game and delivers on that promise with a twist that sent shivers down my spine. The Rewards of Imagination is a lovely essay from one of the illustrator judges, and The Museum of Modern Warfare a fun offering from former F&SF editor Kristine Kathryn Rusch. A Demon Hunter's Guide to Passover Seder is fun, tense, and exciting. Hemingway is another unusually literary offering from this series, but beautiful and poignant. Half-Breed is an incredible story about identity and self and family and prejudice. Half-Breed also pairs with an incredible piece of artwork, one of many, but a personal favorite of the anthology. Overall, Volume 37 shines as a superb collection of storytelling and art.

[Scott M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow.
If you're into Science Fiction or Fantasy, you need to take a look at this. I've read a number of the Writers of the Future anthologies before, and they just keep getting better each year. I have my preferences between the individual stories, sure. But each is well written, descriptive and engaging. You get twelve winning stories (plus a few bonus ones from judges and finalists in the contest) that will keep you interested as you go. I planned to casually peruse the pages over the course of a week or two-I finished it in a few days.
My personal favorite is 'How to Steal the Plot Armor' by Luke Wildman. It's a very clever take on hero quests and what everyone thinks about them. Intriguing perspective and humorous. A sure winner. I also really enjoyed 'The Redemption of Brother' Adulan by K.D. Julicher, where a monk has cause to question his vows. The Battle of Donasi by Elaine Midcoh is fantastic, where a captain 'wins' a war at great cost. Half-Breed by Brittany Rainsdon also had me turning pages, where a (strangely enough) half-breed dryad is forced to choose between her two worlds. These four stories are riveting-the book is worth buying just for them.
The judges for the contest obviously know what they're doing. An impressive collection of stories. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Grant Bremner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to receive a review copy of Writers of the Future 37 from Galaxy Press and delighted that I did. What a book! What a superb collection of science fiction genre short stories it contains. From the very first story to the last I was enthralled, excited, had a good laugh plus being on tenterhooks as I eagerly turned each page. I have been reading these collections now for some many years and in my opinion edition number 37 is definitely the best yet. The depth of talent from the writers and illustrators throughout is, quite frankly, amazing. There is powerful prose within these pages of speculative fiction that will without a doubt stimulate your mind. The judges have done an excellent job in the selection of the fourteen winning entries along with an illustration of each story contained with this marvellous book. The inclusion of Dangerous Dimension first published in 1938 by L Ron Hubbard was a masterstroke, such a thought provoking story that will make you sit up and more, but enough, I don’t want to spoil it for the readers. In conclusion, if you enjoy speculative fiction then this collection of impressive short stories is definitely a must read.

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. It was great how varied these stories were. I just loved the story about the grandma who helped out some kids across a border. Also, the story after this about the testing facility. Them among others were definitely 5 star stories in my eyes. This book was extremely difficult to put down. So I just read it all in one evening using my text to speech function. That is why I didn't get the names of my favourite stories. I especially loved the section on L Ron Hubbard and his ease of writing novels and helping other writers. It definitely made for a very fascinating reading. I loved how this book is based on a competition where the winners get published in this book. It great how, along with their story, there is a bio about the author and illustrator. Including previous works, where they were published, and what awards they won. I really recommend this book if you like sci-fi short stories. What's best is that a lot of these authors are independently published, just like this book.
So much praise goes out to the authors and publishing team for creating such an interesting book that showcases just how diverse the sci-fi genre is. As there is certainly something for everyone in this book. I can't wait to read further volumes of this book.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was such a remarkable collection of sci-fi and fantasy stories. The collection boasted such a wide-range of sub-genres within these two genres that readers of all walks of life will instantly be enthralled. From tales of steampunk and fantasy to space-faring galactic escapades and even spine-chilling horror, each story was perfectly brought to life using imagery and atmosphere to highlight each story's unique perspective.

The compelling storytelling and unique character development within each story were perfectly balanced. The world-building and captivating illustrations were the best representation of the immense thought and attention each author paid to their unique world, and the heart that went into capturing the tension and relatable character growth made this collection a whirlwind of emotions and storytelling.

The Verdict

Iconic, creative, and entertaining, “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 37” is a must-read sci-fi and fantasy storytelling collection. The wealth of stories and characters that captured singularly unique voices and tones in the author’s writing styles made this collection inviting and entertaining.

[Melina Lobo · Rating 4 out of 5]

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Vol. 37: A fantastic collection of science fiction and fantasy stories featuring the works of 26 award-winning authors and illustrators. This is the third volume I’ve read in this series, and, as always, it’s full of exciting adventures and interesting stories that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Each author's writing style and his or her ideas come together to give a seemingly myriad variety of stories to entertain any fan of sci-fi and fantasy. From intense end-of-the-world tales to action-packed stories about demon hunters, you're sure to find something that will get your imagination and keep you reading.

It's a very creative collection that takes the reader to unknown places and presents new ideas. For those who love sci-fi and fantasy, this book is one they can not afford to miss out on because it is bound to inspire several other gems.

I enjoyed this volume as much as the earlier ones and look forward to reading more books from this great series. Writers of the Future remains a must-read for those who love wonderful stories and unforgettable adventures.

[Sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the reason why I like short story collections, even If I don’t like some of the stories I will find some that I like ^__~ and in this book this wasn't the exception, you have several short stories, some sci-fi (my favourites), some fantasy (I don’t like as much) some that were kind of a mix of the two, what a wonderful world, where we can come together for the things we love, I really like that the stories were chosen because they where the ones that offered the most of positive emotions, even if the story was dark, you could find characters or situations that tried to get the best of the situation, yes I do agree that this was a great collection, and the illustrations? Well we could say that those are something that really make the deal, after reading the story if you go back and stare to the wining picture, you really understand why they won, well I don’t know other entries, but the ones that made to the book are worthwhile ;)

thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my voluntarily review.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writers of the Future Issue #37 is one of the best science fiction fantasy magazines I have read! It beats Writer's Digest magazines anytime! There is just so much information and so many stories to read. What better way to learn about the genres presented in this issue then to read a variety that were selected as the best of the best. One of my favorite tales from this issue was the Enfield Report by Christopher Bowthorpe. Inside that particular story, a female scientist is paired with a psychopath to study and torment a creature. At first, the female cannot stand the torments the subject is going through only to learn the hard way in the end. The tale ended with a huge question: why did the psychopath save her life? Also, where did he go? Will they meet again? My curiosity is killing me. The writer left me on the edge of suspense of what will be next. Fast-paced, dark, sinister, and wholly entertaining, the Enfield Report was astounding! In fact, all the stories included were just as dark and engaging.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Writers of the Future anthologies. The collection of stories is varied and new and usually not super long. I don't love all the stories or anything but I enjoy the collection as a whole. I usually also like the essays, but I took the Writers of the Future course earlier this year and the content was the same, so not as interesting (although they are still good content).

My favorite story in the collection is for sure "How to Steal the Plot Armor". I was thoroughly entertained and delighted the whole way through.

I also quite enjoyed:
Dangerous Dimension
Argentum
Battle of Donasi
Museum of Modern Warfare

And although not as great I also liked:
Enfield Report
Redemption of brother Adalum
Skin of My Mother
Demon Hunter’s Guide to Passover Seder
Hemingway
Half-Breed

The rest were kind of meh. Tiger and the Waif was cute but not especially magical or anything.

All in all a fun collection and I recommend reading it.

[BookmarkedOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than last year's, and Vol. 36 had some lovely stories as well! I was delighted to be on the advanced reader team for this book, and the only trouble now is that I can't pick a favorite story.
Usually there are one or two that stand out, but this time it's more like five...how can I choose between sassy AI kitties, tired and snarky wizard mentors, teleporting professors, and aliens with the most gorgeous yellow eyes?
If you want the latest and greatest in sci-fi and fantasy, you could do worse than the Writers of the Future anthologies.

A longer review for the curious:
Part I: http://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2021/1....
Part II: http://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2022/0....

[Candice Lisle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a free copy ahead of time so I could review the book. I also have ordered the paperback version. This anthology has so many different types of wonderful stories. Do you like steampunk? It's there. Do you like fantasy? Yes, there as well. Do you like science fiction? You will find that type of story in here too. So many wonderful stories!!! My favorite is: "Half-Breed" by Brittany Rainsdon. She is an incredible writer and I expect to see many more stories from her in the future.

Highly recommended!!

[Lorenzo Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

37 years in a row of stellar sci-fi and fantasy, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future gives us another volume of tales from new writers in the field. Fresh perspectives are what sets this anthology apart from others we might read. If you want to see what's coming in sci-fi and fantasy, read this volume. The variety is outstanding; each year seems to produce new talent whose originality hits the stars to enthralls us. Volume 37 is another groundbreaker in a proud history. Most highly recommended.

[John Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique and compelling stories--
The stories were really great--especially the LRH story The Dangerous Dimension. This volume included a lot of new and refreshing ideas such as a wizard who didn’t want to go on quests, a priest trying to deny his warrior side, and a half-breed girl trying to fit in. Those stories were fantastic. These are the stories I look forward to and they make me enjoy reading WOTF.

[Norma Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful edition. Many writers have a highly developed skill at providing the back story woven into the dialogue or scenery as the story progresses. My favorite is the Tier and the Waif. What a wonderful kitty. ..cares about people and doesn't need a litter box. Where can I get one of these? Favorite illustration? Madalyne Locke's 'The Widows.' Such an ethereal quality about it.

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promising Variety

I read this because two of my friends are in it and I was delighted to find some great stories in this book, including my friends’ contributions. Some I even loved so much I wished I had a whole book to keep going. Some, to be honest I didn’t love as much and one that fell flat. But overall it was really fun.

[Nicole Reavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year, the WOTF contest gets better and better, and this collection of stories certainly doesn’t disappoint. Highly recommend for writers of any skill level looking for a book to use as a primer when composing short fiction.

[Storm Humbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection is absolutely incredible, top to bottom. There's adventure, humor, love, loss, family drama, planet-scale conflict, and so much more. Even though I certainly found that some stories were more my speed than others, all of the stories were strong. Read this book. You won't regret it.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of new science fiction stories. There are a good variety of stories sure to please any science fiction fan. The stories are well told, good character development, and a quick read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Charl · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. I'm primarily a Sci-Fi fan, and was very disappointed by the small amount of actual Sci-Fi in here. Like most anthologies, there was both good and bad, but only a few left me pausing to think about the story.

It was far too much work to read a few actually good stories.

[Evelyn Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoyable to read the L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future collections. From this volume, I appreciated the philosophical aspect in most of the stories. Even when dystopian there was a hope in the conclusion.

[Doug Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappointed by the new writers in this continuing anthology. This book is a great chance to read the stories at the beginning of great writing careers. The illustrations are also top-notch.

[Mitchell Cutler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most excellent! The stories get better every year!!!

[M.E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent collection of stories.