Product Description
The L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests discover and introduce the very best new talent in science fiction, fantasy and horror, with their entertaining and creative tales of worlds unknown, worlds to be and worlds only dreamed of, as selected by top professionals in these fields.

In the past twenty years, over 300 talented writers have been newly published--many winners becoming the authors you now enjoy reading.

The volume contains the first works by authors who are sure to become equally well known over the years to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Mixed Bag of Science Fiction and Fantasy
The only modern science fiction and fantasy short stories that I read are in the magazine "Realms of Fantasy."Thus, when my brother gave me this book I was a little reluctant to read it.However, the title sounded encouraging and I wondered why my brother picked this up, so in I jumped, and I was pleased with what I saw.

John Schoffstall's writing in "In the Flue" contains far too many details (e.g., he writes about hover tanks; details are interesting, but detract from the focus of the story).However, the story contained two very interesting elements:the story of the power generating flues and a philosophical element.I found the former very interesting and the second thought provoking.

M.T. Reitan's story "Needle Child" is a fantasy that creates a world of populated hedges surrounding meadows.Reitan properly minimizes any explanation of why it all exists, focusing on one event in this existing world.This story begs for a novel to explain it all.His story follows a hedge person providing a stolen baby to another couple in a meadow.The concept is quite bizarre.

In "The Story of His Life," author David W. Goldman introduces a reality where artificial intelligences control what happens in people's lives, but suddenly a player learns there may be something more.This story is another one that begs for a novel.

There is a short essay by L. Ron Hubbard, whose legacy makes the "Writers of the Future" series possible, titled "Introducing Tomorrow's Miracles."

The story "Green Angel" by Sean A. Tinsley I found a little too esoteric for my taste.The story was almost as much fantasy as science fiction and I found some of the imagery, particularly at the end, difficult to follow.Here two machines battle over eggs on the hostile surface of Titan.

In "The Firebird," author Andrew Gudgel writes a modern fairy tale rooted in science fiction that leads to all sorts of horrific possibilities.Thinking about the possibilities as the story ended sent shivers down my spine.

"My Daughter, the Martian," by Sidra M.S. Vitale contains classic science fiction elements as it tells the story of the head of a Martian colony and her daughter and the events surrounding meeting a supply ship.

For some reason I intuited the ending to "Meeting the Sculptor" by Floris M. Kleijne near the beginning.What happens if there are people who change the past in nearly meaningless ways, unless it is your past being changed?Even though I inadvertently guessed the ending I found the story interesting.

Another essay by Nina Kiriki Hoffman provides "Seven Keys to Writing Success."The title is self-explanatory.

Ken Scholes penned the fantasy "Into the Blank Where Life is Hurled."It appears that the afterlife is more complex than we ever imagined.

The science fiction story "Mars Hath no Fury like Pixel Double-Crossed" was an excellent story and pulled me in immediately.I read this story very quickly because it was styled classically, with all the most modern accouterments.A woman stuck on Mars because her boyfriend sold her return ticket to be "branded."Of course, she'll not sit for that!

"Blackberry Witch" is a lovely fantasy by Scott M. Roberts that reminds me favorably of the stories I read in "Realms of Fantasy."It turns out that regenerating life is more complicated than even witches sometimes imagine.

Steven Hickman provides a short essay on art in "Style Points."

Eric James Stone tells the story of a stoneworker with a past in the fantasy "Betrayer of Trees."However, the stoneworker has a sordid past that has made him a wanted man, and as tends to happen, a person's past can catch up with them.

In yet another fantasy Lon Prater tells of a Father who has discovered that not everyone who is condemned to being "Deadglass" may have sinned.

Another science fiction story that chilled me is Cat Sparks' "Last Dance at the Sergeant Major's Ball."Is there a future where we can no longer know what is real and what is not, particular when consigned to a rest home?

Mike Rimar gives Einstein a choice of futures in "Annus Mirabilis" that asks "what if" in a very intriguing way.

Michael Livingston provides what I thought was the best story of all in "The Keeper Alone."In a story reminiscent of Robert Heinlein's "Orphans of the Sky," what happens when the sole keeper of a space ark saves someone whose pod has malfunctioned?It is stories such as these that keep me reading science fiction.

This book also contains selections of art from aspiring artists.Some of the art I found interesting; other art was less inspiring.None of the art touches the Frank Frazetta cover.

This book is worth purchasing.There are a few stories that I was less enthused about, but the winners in this book, particularly the last story, will make you feel good about the purchase.I always worry about stories that are too impressionistic for my classical tastes, but apparently the people who selected these stories valued clarity.If you like science fiction and fantasy and you enjoy short stories, this book will be a good read for you.
... Read more

Product Description
The L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests discover and introduce the very best new talent in science fiction, fantasy and horror, with their entertaining and creative tales of worlds unknown, worlds to be and worlds only dreamed of, as selected by top professionals in these fields.In the past twenty-two years, over 300 telented writers have been newly published - many winners becoming the authors you now enjoy reading. This volume contains the first works by authors who are sure to become equally well known over the years to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Title is Fitting
Volume 22 is my first Writers of the Future. Now I will make it my mission to find the other 21. Every story is an original work. As a soldier stationed in Iraq I don't get a lot of time to read.These short stories are a great way to keep my mind fresh before hitting the rack at night. I expect to see many of these new writers on best seller lists and movie credits very soon. I commend to the Writers or the Future staff for their selections for this book.I can't wait to read the other books in this collection.

Good Stories
Short stories make for a quick and entertaining read. I also liked the variation in styles and content of the stories, its refreshing.

Good luck to the new authors! I do like supporting new talent!

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Vol. XXII
I have been following the Writers of the Future anthology for years as I find the stories always packed with original thoughts and concepts. This year again, the book contains many imaginative tales. My favorite one is probably "On the Mount" which is about a "god-hunter". What a concept! Other stories that fascinated me likewise are "Evolution's End" about space exploration gone wrong and "The Balancer" where the past and the future is controlled by "Time Balancers".
A great collection of short stories.

Writers of the Future
The newest Writers of the Future Anthology, Volume XXII is not only one of the best of that series, but it ranks among the most exciting collections of any kind this year.The competition must have been fierce and the decisions agonizing, because there's not a substandard story in the book.

Highlights:

A brilliant story about a research team discovering an organism that dominates a planet and possible a galaxy.Evolution's End by Lee Beavington.

A beautiful story about a woman who rewinds history trying to perfect it, only to find that it's not that simple.Schroedinger's Hummingbird by Diana Rowland.

A Time Cop story set in ancient Rome which involves the humanity of difficult choices and even harder assignments, populated with great characters.Balancer by Richard Kerslake.

A journey through feelings and dreams and love by a girl who discovers magic in the shards of reality, but abandons it in the absence of mutual affection.The Bone Fisher's Apprentice by Sarah Totton.

and my favorites:

A game which controls death's choices, loser loses all.This one was as eerie as any horror, spooky and the victims are the most vulnerable.This story haunted me for days.Games on the Children's Ward by Michail Velichansky.

In the wake of environmental catastrophe and increasing class division, people make due the best they can.Andy Griswold and Latisha figure out an innovative way of making coin on other people's frustrations.All well and good, but someone else is roaming the river and looking at something far more degenerative than money.Life on the Voodoo Driving Range by Brandon Sigrist.

Not to slight any of the other authors, they're all more than worthy.My highlights are the stories that caused me to ponder them later, intellectual and emotional escapes from everyday life.

- CV Rick ... Read more

Product Description
For almost 15 years, this widely heralded, award-winning anthology series has been propelling readers into realms beyond time and space, parallel worlds and alternate realities and place at the infinite edges of the imagination. The impetus for these startling voyages has come from the best new writers of speculative fiction--the winners of the internationally acclaimed Writers of the Future Contest. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

A rich and rewarding anthology
A Boy and His Bicycle is a great story.
(I put this in so I don't continuously trip over the review by someone who apparently didn't get it. I must offer the disclaimer however, that I wrote that story. It's a subtle tale, and I'm very grateful that the judges understood it and gave it a First Place award.)

This anthology, Volume XIX, (IMO) contains richly tapestried stories, strewn with new ideas or new takes on old ones. I've no doubt that before long, many of the authors will be Hugo winners

Some incredible writing (and some bad)
WotF XIX is a compilation of excellent stories (with a few, notable exceptions) spanning the genre range from historical fiction through horror and fantasy to science fiction. Despite the ever-present copy-editing errors, this was a very good read.

I would put the stories in four categories of excellence (well, three of excellence and one of crap).

Group One: The best

Walking Rain - Ian Keane's tale of supernatural beings in present day America, reminiscent (but not derivative) of American Gods, is compelling. The writing is lush, the characterizations beautiful. Hands down the best of the best. I can't say enough about this story. The book is worth buying for this story alone.

Into The Gardens of Sweet Night - Algis Budrys weaves a fairy tale-like tapestry of words as a boy takes a fantastic journey into the sky looking for the fabled gardens. Sometimes the discussions on freedom get a bit thick, but still great.

Blood and Horses - Myke Cole brings us a story of military sf where rebels riding horses seek the oil that gives life, losing their own blood fighting against a technically far superior opponent.

Group Two: The very excellent (in no particular order)

From All the Work Which He Had Made - Michael Churchman's style is strikingly odd at first, but within a page he had made me a convert with this interesting tale about the development of a humanoid robot exploring the questions of his soul.

Dark Harvest - Geoffrey Girard brings us a story about what happens when you find your worst nightmare dying in a field, and it becomes a tourist attraction. Excellent writing, and a wonderful story.

Beautiful Singer - Steve Bein's story of a haunted sword is elegant in its way of presenting feudal Japanese culture and characters. Every word of this story echoes with the culture of the samurai. The only thing holding back this most savory of writing from the top slot was the way the ending rushed together (a common difficulty in short-story writing).

A Few Days North of Vienna - Brandon Butler takes us along as a band of thieves join up with a group of vampire hunters to eradicate those evil creatures. The plot is nothing new or innovative, but the writing is top notch, and that's more important anyway.

Group Three: The still excellent (still in no particular order)

A Ship That Bends - whatever Butler lacked in innovation, Luc Reid makes up for in spades with his characters who live on a flat world and must build a bending ship if they wish to sail to the other side without falling off. The ending is its great weakness, suddenly ending the story before it really reaches its climax. Fun world, great writing, but it just stops cold.

A Silky Touch to No Man - a weak ending is also the problem with Robert J. Defendi's exploration of life in the near future where virtual reality has become the only reality. For a murder mystery, it was painfully apparent "whodunit" from the very beginning. But the writing is strong and the world well conceived (almost scary, actually) which makes it fun anyway.

Gossamer - Ken Liu offers a scenario where Earth finally makes contact with an alien species, and has no idea if they can even communicate. Art seems to be the only thing the Gossamers are interested in, but what does that mean? Interesting twist on the first contact plot.

Numbers - Joel Best brings us a stark account of a world where mathematicians can do almost anything, including make animals and people. In this world one woman seeks to create the perfect mate, but learns that perfection (and creation) are about more than doing everything flawlessly.

Group Four: The stories that really don't belong

Trust Is A Child - Matthew Candelaria's overly long story of negotiations with aliens is really just a painful rehash of about a thousand other identical stories, offering no new slants or anything. That alone wouldn't make it so horrible, but the main character is painfully stupid, and the plot has a hole in it the size of a small star system (it has to do with her being stopped by Marine guards while the aliens can just cruise on by and enter her private quarters without explanation). Also, her solution to being stopped is just horrible (apparently the guard is even dumber than she is). Still, with a good edit and re-write, I think it could have been decent, so I wouldn't write off the author.

A Boy and His Bicycle - Carl Frederick offers a story about just that: a boy and his bike. They don't do anything interesting, or go anywhere fun, or give us any reason not to hope that they just crash into a bus and die. The only saving grace is that it's short and over quickly. And to think this story got first place that quarter...

Bury My Heart At the Garrick - Steve Savile takes the prize for plodding, pointlessness. This story of Houdini was confusing, but not in that good way where you want to know what's going on, more in the way where you just don't care and want to skip to the next story. I kept reading to see if it would get better (imagine a short story that took me a week to read!). It didn't.

Surprisingly good; recommend for short story lovers.
While I do not get a chance to read much science fiction, I decided to pick up this book mainly because I enjoy short stories.And I must say that this book surprised me.There are a number of well-written, very entertaining stories in this book.There is also a good amount of variety.As more than 12 authors contribute to this book, if you are not a fan of one story, you can move onto the next.There should be four stories in this book that will captivate you.From the quality of the prose and the structure of the stories, I was at first surprised to see that these are first time authors.Now realizing that these are contest winnners from L Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future contest, it makes more sense.My favorites include Oragami Cranes, Eating Drinking and Walking, Windseekers, and Rewind (for it's writing style).

Ably compiled and edited
Before he went on to invent Cybernetics, L. Ron Hubbard was a prominent author of science fiction and eventually launched annual collections of science fiction and fantasy drawn from the best and the brightest in the field. The newest addition to the L. Ron Hubbard "Writers Of The Future" series is volume 18, ably compiled and edited by long time science fiction expert Algis Budrys and highly recommended reading for any fantasy fan and science fiction enthusiast. Included in this outstanding anthology are: The Dragon Cave (Drew Morby); The Haunted Seed (Ray Roberts); Rewind (David D. Levine); Windseekers (Nnedi Okorafor); Magic Out Of A Hat (L. Ron Hubbard); Lost On The Road (Ari Goelman); Graveyard Tea (Susan Fry); Carry The God (Lee Battersby); A Few Tips On The Craft Of Illustration (H. R. Van Dongen); Memoria Technica (Leon J. West); Free Fall (Tom Brennan); All Winter Long (Jae Brim); The Art Of Creation (Carl Frederick); Advice To The New Writer (Andre Norton); The Road To Levenshir (Patrick Rothfuss); Eating, Drinking, Walking (Dylan Otto Krider); Origami Cranes (Seppo Kurki); A New Anthology (Tim Powers); Worlds Apart (Woody O. Carsky-Wilson); Prague 47 (Joel Best); and What Became Of The King (Aimee C. Amodeo). L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers Of The Future, Volume XVIII concludes with "The Year In Contests" by Algis Budrys and "Contest Information".

Pretty good story weaving
It's not perfect but I found this anthology very satisfying. When every single one of the stories is able to take me somewhere interesting, then the anthology is worth the money.. Favorite stories: Graveyard Tea, Windseekers, and Origami Cranes. ... Read more

Product Description
Dell mass paperback, 1st edition Aug. 1979, ISBN: 0440173116, 316 pages, cover art by Jim Burns. 12mo (7" x 4.25") Paperback reprint of 1978 The Dial Press/James Wade hardcover first edition. Winner, 1979 Locus Poll Award, Best Single Author Collection; 1980 Prix Apollo. UK edition retitled In the Hall of the Martian Kings. 9 stories, 6 of them belonging to the Eight Worlds universe. Introduction by Algis Budrys. Includes: The Phantom of Kansas [nominated, 1979 Hugo Award; 1979 Locus Poll Award, Best Novelette (Place: 4)]; Air Raid [basis of film and novel, Millennium]; Retrograde Summer [nominated, 1975 Nebula Award; 1975 Locus Poll Award, Best Novelette (Place: 4)]; The Black Hole Passes [1976 Locus Poll Award, Best Novelette (Place: 9)]; In the Hall of the Martian Kings [1976 Locus Poll Award, Best Novella (Place: 6); nominated, 1978 Hugo Award, 1978 Ditmar Award]; In the Bowl [1976 Locus Poll Award, Best Novelette (Place: 7); nominated, 1976 Nebula Award]; Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance [1977 Locus Poll Award, Best Novelette (Place: 3); nominated 1977 Hugo Award]; Overdrawn at the Memory Bank [1977 Locus Poll Award, Best Novelette (Place: 10)]; The Persistence of Vision [winner, 1976 Nebula Award, 1979 Locus Poll Award, 1979 Hugo Award]. ... Read more

Product Description
The best new science fiction and fantasy short stories from up-and-coming writers and every story is illustrated by budding new artists all winners of the annual Illustrators of the Future Contest. Established in 1983 by L. Ron Hubbard expressly for the aspiring writer, Writers of the Future has become the most respected and significant forum for new talent in all aspects of speculative fiction. The elite character of the contest is evident from the roster of judges: Kevin J. Anderson, Doug Beason, Gregory Benford, Algis Budrys, Orson Scott Card, Brian Herbert, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Eric Kotani, Anne McCaffrey, Larry Niven, Frederik Pohl, Jerry Pournelle, Tim Powers, Robert Silverberg and K.D. Wentworth. In 1988, Mr. Hubbard's vision inspired a contest for new and aspiring illustrators seeking to become speculative fiction artists. The list of judges for the illustrators' contest is no less impressive than that of the writers' contest and represents a virtual who's who of the field including Frank Frazetta, Vincent DiFate, Bob Eggleton, Stephen Hickman and Stephen Youll.Since its inception, the contest has helped place more than two hundred and fifty novels and 2,500 short stories on bookshelves around the world. The Writers of the Future Award has also earned its place alongside the Hugo and Nebula awards in the triad of speculative fiction's most prestigious acknowledgements of literary excellence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Some thrilling some confusing
Most stories in this book are easy read and thrillers. There are some that are extremely difficult to read. I found two such stories, both of which were first place holders. This contest does not only choose goo stories i.e. those that have content and are well-written, but also good those that have prfound use of language. That makes the English in some stories difficult to read. Either way, if you like thrill, this book is for you. If you get easily annoyed with different writing styles all in one book, then it's not for you.

A Fun Read as Always
I really like all of the WoTF books. This one is no exception. The stories and ideas are always new and original.I will buy the next one and the one after that and so on and so forth.Thanks Galaxy Press.

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 23
I love the Writers of the Future stories!

I am not a writer, but I love to read. The stories are almost one for one, great stories. They're short, but always a good read and original work! Since L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future is a contest, the stories are picked by big writers: Anne McCaffrey, Orson Scott Card, Brian Herbert, etc, so I am always guarenteed a GREAT read and I find them to get better and better. Volume 23 has been the best so far. I loved last year's one, too.

Keep the Writers of the Future going - it's keeping SF and Fantasy alive! Thanks, S.C.

A great read!
A great read and an interesting collection of short stories that should interest the science fiction reader.I just finished the book and noticed that Jeff Carlson, one of the authors included in the selection, also wrote another book I just finished, Plague Year.So, the book contains stories by authors on their way to notoriety, and I've heard that past winners have gone on to successful careers in the fantasy and science fiction genres.This book will not disappoint.Highly recommended.

Cool ideas
I've got to say that I'm pretty impressed with these guys.I'm an illustrator in the book, and was able to meet all the authors during the conference.The stories they've written are surprisingly original, and the writing quality is very very professional.My favorite is Primetime by Douglas Texter, but they're all remarkably memorable. ... Read more

Product Description
A Dozen SF Greats Present Their Favorite Stories. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Adam Mickiewicz, Antanas Smetona, Antanas Baranauskas, Martynas Mažvydas, David Daiches, Algis Budrys, Juozas Tumas-Vaižgantas, Oscar Milosz, Augustinus Rotundus, Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius, Jonas Biliūnas, Mykolas Biržiška, Mikalojus Daukša, Jonas Bretkūnas, Simonas Stanevičius, Konstantinas Sirvydas, Władysław Syrokomla, Jonas Basanavičius, Motiejus Valančius, Abraomas Kulvietis, Antanas Škėma, Isaac of Troki, Vincas Kudirka, Jurgis Bielinis, Juozas Grušas, Vaclovas Biržiška, Abraham Mapu, Antanas Vienuolis, Gintaras Beresnevičius, Stanislovas Rapalionis, Vytautas Kubilius, Icchokas Meras, Kazys Bizauskas, Tomas Venclova, Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas, Petras Klimas, Povilas Višinskis, Sigitas Parulskis, Alexander Ziskind Maimon, Pranas Morkūnas, Yaffa Eliach, Jakób Jocz, Liūtas Mockūnas, Kazys Almenas, Pranas Dovydaitis, Petras Dirgėla, Juozas Paukštelis, Ričardas Šileika, Romualdas Granauskas, List of Lithuanian Language Authors, Mikalojus Akelaitis, Juozas Adomaitis-Šernas, Kazys Boruta, Vladas Terleckas, Gintarė Adomaitytė. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 179. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Adam Bernard Mickiewicz (pronounced: ( listen); in Belarusian, ; in Lithuanian, Adomas Bernardas Mickeviius; December 24, 1798 November 26, 1855) was a was a Polish-Lithuanian Romantic poet one of Poland's Three Bards, alongside Zygmunt Krasiski and Juliusz Sowacki. Mickiewicz scion of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, born in what is now Belarus, educated at Lithuania's Vilnius University, a Polish-language poet is claimed as a national poet by Belarus, Lithuania and Poland. Mickiewicz is considered by some to have been the greatest Slavic poet, alongside Alexander Pushkin. Mickiewicz's house, Navahrudak Portrait by Wakowicz, 1828 Daguerrotype, 1842 Mickiewicz's temporary grave u...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=158252 ... Read more

Product Description
Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Oscar Venceslas de Lubicz-Milosz, Algis Budrys, Žemaitė, Michał Kazimierz Ogiński, Martynas Mažvydas, Kornelijus Platelis, Jurga Ivanauskaitė, Šatrijos Ragana, Leokadia Komaiszko, Avraham Mapou, Joanne Akalaitis, Juozas Baltušis. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : O. V. de L. Milosz (en lituanien : ) (né en Russie impériale le 28 mai 1877, décédé à Fontainebleau le 2 mars 1939), est un poète européen de langue française. Il fut poète, romancier, dramaturge, métaphysicien, diplomate, traducteur. Remarque sur le nom de cet auteur : ses ouvrages portent généralement « O. V. de L. Milosz ». Pour le nom complet plusieurs formes sont en concurrence. « Oskar Władysław de Lubicz Miłosz » est la forme internationale retenue par la BNF, dont le catalogue cite aussi « Oscar Vladislas de Lubicz Milosz », « Oscar Venceslas de Lubicz Milosz », « Oscar Wladysław... », et la possibilité d'un trait d'union entre « Lubicz » et « Milosz ». Oscar Vladislas de Lubicz Milosz naît en « Lituanie historique », aujourd'hui la Biélorussie, territoire qui avait autrefois fait partie du Grand-duché de Lituanie. À onze ans, il arrive à Paris, interne au Lycée Janson-de-Sailly. Il poursuivra ses études à l'École du Louvre et adoptera le français comme langue d'écriture. Ses premiers poèmes paraissent en 1899. Désormais, il ne cessera plus d'écrire : poésie, roman, théâtre, traductions, essais politiques et métaphysiques. « Milosz, c'est le plus beau cadeau que l'Europe ait fait à la France », dira le poète français Paul Fort. En 1914, il perd la fortune héritée de son père, noble polonais, et est mobilisé dans les divisions russes de l'armée française. En 1919, Milosz devient le premier représentant à Paris de la Lituanie ayant...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

Product Description
TWELVE ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION STORIES FROM THE 50'S
Selected and edited by B. H. Crew
Copyright 2009.All rights reserved.
_____________________________________________________________

THE PLAYERS
BY EVERETT B. COLE
From Astounding Science Fiction April 1955



... OR YOUR MONEY BACK
BY DAVID GORDON
From Astounding Science Fiction, September 1959



MILLENNIUM
BY EVERETT B. COLE
From Astounding Science Fiction May 1955



A MATTER OF IMPORTANCE
BY MURRAY LEINSTER
From Astounding Science Fiction September 1959



INDIRECTION
BY EVERETT B. COLE
From Astounding Science Fiction January 1956



DESPOILERS OF THE GOLDEN EMPIRE
BY DAVID GORDON
From Astounding Science Fiction March 1959



FINAL WEAPON
BY EVERETT B. COLE
From Astounding Science Fiction June 1955



DEAD GIVEAWAY
BY RANDALL GARRETT
From Astounding Science Fiction August 1959



SAND DOOM
BY MURRAY LEINSTER
From Astounding Science Fiction December 1955



CITADEL
BY ALGIS BUDRYS
From Astounding Science Fiction February 1955



ACCIDENTAL DEATH
BY PETER BAILY
From Astounding Science Fiction February 1959



CUM GRANO SALIS.
BY DAVID GORDON
From Astounding Science Fiction, May 1959


... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Innovative Collection by the Minimally Published!
I don't write too many book reviews, especially anthologies, but I have been collecting these series of books since they first came out with Volume I way, way back in 1986 before some of these readers were born, sadly.

L. Ron Hubbard was a noted writer of pulp fiction in the 1930s and 1940s before he embarked upon his establishment of Dianetics. Despite media reports to the contrary, his output of science fiction was minimal, being more heavily influenced by adventure stories (similar to Jack London's tales), crime drama, fantasy and mysteries and even the occasional western and romance tale.

In the Eighties he created a contest for writers, which the publishers later expanded to illustrators. The winners get monetary prizes and some exposure. Some who have been published didn't really take advantage. Others such as Kevin J. Anderson went on to write Star Wars novels and adaptations.

Anyway, Volume XXIV (24) is not the best set of new stories I've read, which is usually what I expect in an anthology of anyone. But the themes of being more than you are, of freedom and slavery, of relationships with higher authority pepper all these tales.

I've read the majority of the book but will keep my comments to a few that I've read.

"A Man in the Moon" by Dr. Philip Edward Kaldon is a longish tale of a guy who finds out that he is dying and yet wants to go to the moon to establish a colony that is nearly finished being built. The relationship with his friend the doctor is interesting but there is no real conflict except for the occasional political rhetoric.

"Bitter Dreams" by Ian McHugh is an acquired taste. If you enjoy Australian writing, then this may be for you. Racism is confronted heavily in this story.

"Taking a Mile" by J. Kathleen Cheney was interesting. Viviana is a "facsimile". Facsimiles are androids made with a limited lifespan of a week and then they die. The Corporation wants to keep it that way. The facsimiles want human rights. Like a Cylon story, in a way.

"War Bird in the Belly of the Mouse" by David Parish-Whittaker was fun. Imagine two World War I pilots time-snatched from the past to help tourists fight fake war games in Sopwith Camels in the 21st Century. Sounds hokey but comes off nicely at the end.

"Snakes and Ladders" by Paula R. Stiles was a creepy tale about a future war where nanobots invade and kill life. In our hero's body are 'good' nanobots that achieve intelligence and start worshiping him as a god.

Finally, my last favorite was "The Bird Reader's Granddaughter" by Kim A. Gillett, a girl who learns how to foretell the future, using seagulls rather than tea leaves and why it might be best to leave the future as it is!

As usual there are writing and illustration articles to help the novice. "Circulate" by L. Ron Hubbard was written back in the 1940s and talks about how the novelist gets ideas for his stories and uses many examples from Jack London. "The Four C's to Success" by Cliff Nielsen, gives great advice not only in succeeding in art illustration but in any of the arts, really. Very practical article.

Each year these stories come out. Some volumes are great and some frankly are not. This one had a majority of fun sci-fi and fantasy stories that was enough of a mix to be interesting.

Can't wait for Volume XXV!

Great collection
Once more the Writers of the Future contest delivers a great anthology with many interesting and very well written stories. I enjoyed this collection a lot and only one or two stories missed the rhythm (impressive for a long collection like this). Would recommend.

Great Deal
I was very happy when I received Writers of the future. The product was just as it was described, used in good condition. Actually it was in perfect condition including still having the product ordering inserts that I needed. I recommend this seller highly.

The American Idol of Sci-Fi
It takes aspiring writers a great deal of skill and persistence to get past the four judges (all of whom are notable authors) and it shows in the high quality of the stories. An engaging read from the first to the last. My personal favorite was newcomer, Al Bogden's, The Girl who Whispered Beauty, which is set in a future where everything is different, except the harshness of human nature. It is hard not to tip your hat to Ian McHugh for showing off his mad skills in Bitter Dreams, a twist on Zombies that will leave you paying more attention to your own shadow than you did before. J.D.Everyhope is every bit as talented as she is beautiful, which is saying something and she does not disappoint in Circuit, a story about a conscious reference books passage through time into an ever wiser, ever narrower future. A harrowing experience when you are filled with all the broad minded and controversial works of all the greats. I could go on but rest assured there is not a bad one among them. Well worth the price of a fast food meal, and better for you.

Thirteen of the best tales from the Writers of the Future international writers' program
Looking for a way in to publishing your fiction/fantasy writing? L. Ron Hubbard presents Volume XXIV. Thirteen of the best tales from the Writers of the Future international writers' program with essays on writing and illustration by L. Ron Hubbard, Rebecca Moesta and Cliff Nielsen. Read these delightful tales the will spark your imagination and take you into unbelievable worlds. After reading these colorful tales, enter into the contest and you could become one of the writers of the future in the next volume. Recommended for fiction/fantasy enthusiasts.
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Product Description
The Barbarians:History was repeating itself; there were moats and nobles in Pennsylvania and vassals in Manhattan and the barbarian hordes were overrunning the land.

The Citadel:He was looking for a privacy his strange personality needed. And—never quite seemed to achieve it. All his efforts were, somehow—great triumphs of the race, and great failures for him!

The Stoker and The Stars:When you've had your ears pinned back in a bowknot, it's sometimes hard to remember that an intelligent people has no respect for a whipped enemy ... but does for a fairly beaten enemy. ... Read more