“Every year the Writers of the Future Contest inspires new writers and helps to launch their careers. The combination of reward, recognition, instruction, and opportunity for beginning authors is unparalleled. There is no contest comparable to the Writers of the Future.”

“Science fiction does NOT come after the fact of a scientific discovery or development. It is the herald of possibility. It is the plea that someone should work on the future. Yet it is not prophecy. It is the dream that precedes the dawn when the inventor or scientist awakens and goes to his books or his lab saying, ‘I wonder whether I could make that dream come true in the world of real science.’ … 

“You have satellites out there, man has walked on the moon, you have probes going to the planets, don’t you? Somebody had to dream the dream, and a lot of somebodies like those great writers of The Golden Age and later had to get an awful lot of people interested in it to make it true.”

This genre provides a powerful platform to “Write the Future You Want to Live In.” Just look around at the giant leaps forward in technology, many of which were inspired by science fiction over the last century. You too can influence positive change!

Welcome to the largest forum on planet Earth for inciting interest in speculative fiction!

“Have a purpose for your story, know where you’re going with it, and don’t go off on tangents because you don’t have the real estate to do that [in a short story]. You need to keep in mind what your story is, what your character’s goal is and go there! Of course, don’t forget your twist at the end.”

The International Review of Books has conferred their badge of achievement on Vol 39! 

Herein follow juicy excerpts:

Well done! No corner of the speculative fiction genre has been left untouched with these epic stories told by the hottest new authors and illustrated by the most talented within the industry.

Winning a spot in the Writers of the Future Contest is a serious career-making event for writers and illustrators, many of whom send in submissions for years. Upon winning they are ferried off to Hollywood to revel in their new fame and glory, rubbing shoulders with the greats of the past and present in a glittering lights and black-tied affair. They are chosen for their freshness and skill, offering the judges their rare stories and gifted illustrations.

The book was transcendent, and as my only focus should be on recommending it to fellow readers, that I can do with heart and soul, and argue that the worlds to which the stories teleport their readers are far more special and grand than a black tie event in Hollywood.

The true winners in the Writers of the Future Contest? Readers!

These stunningly talented authors and illustrators can have their well-deserved fame, and I will remain at home greedily devouring their stories a second time, and perhaps a third. The beauty of this compilation of short stories is the pure pleasure in the myriad writing styles, voices, characters, and worlds. Each story is completely different from all those that came before and after. 

So for speculative fiction readers everywhere, this book represents the best and brightest upcoming authors and illustrators within the genre, and with this breakout introduction to their work, you’ll one day be able to brag that you were their devoted fans from the beginning!