L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40

The Best New SF & Fantasy of the Year

24 Award-winning Authors and Illustrators

3 Bonus Short Stories by L. Ron Hubbard • Nancy Kress • S.M. Stirling

Art and Writing Tips by Gregory Benford • Bob Eggleton • L. Ron Hubbard • Dean Wesley Smith

Edited by Jody Lynn Nye

16-page color gallery of artwork

Cover art by Dan dos Santos

Spine-tingling

Breathtaking

Mind-blowing

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

Read Writers of the Future Volume 40 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 accompanied by three more from bestselling authors you’ve read before.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Planet K2-18b is almost dead, humanity is enslaved, and it’s Rickard’s fault. Now in his twilight years, he’d give an arm and a leg for redemption. Literally.  —“Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber” by James Davies

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

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. —“Butter Side Down” by Kal M

Art and Writing Tips by Gregory Benford • Bob Eggleton • L. Ron Hubbard • Dean Wesley Smith

“Forty Years of Writers of the Future” by Gregory Benford: Benford reflects on the SF giants of his youth, the societal changes in the last forty years and provides some advice to aspiring writers.

“L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrators of the Future at Thirty-Five” by Bob Eggleton: Renowned artist, Eggleton, reflects on the truly amazing talent that has emerges through the Contest and provides his insight on ability to illustrated.

“On Writing and Science Fiction” by L. Ron Hubbard: An interview with Mr. Hubbard that provides invaluable insight into the art and craft of writing, the role of science fiction in society, and sound advice for aspiring writers everywhere.

REVIEWS

“This is where the next stars are born.” —Hugh Howey

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime.” —Larry Elmore

“Some of the most excellent speculative fiction that you can find anywhere. They’re cutting edge. They’re new.” —Nnedi Okorafor

“The Illustrators of the Future is an amazing compass for what the art industry holds in store for all of us.” —Dan dos Santos

“See the best of the best culled for you, curated and selected in a single volume every year.” —Robert J. Sawyer

“Reading a Writers of the Future volume is like looking at the desert after the rainstorm—suddenly, when you least expect it, you’ll see an explosion of color and life in an amazing variety.” —Kevin J. Anderson

“There’s only one reason to pick up Writers of the Future, and that’s because the stories are wonderful.” —Orson Scott Card

“L. Ron Hubbard ignited the spark of imagination, which in the minds of these new artists has become a blaze.” —Bob Eggleton

“The benefit of the Writers of the Future Contest is not only to individuals; it is to the community of SF writers as a whole, for such a program elevates the quality of SF writing by bringing on board talented future professionals.” —Brian Herbert

“I’m very happy to be able to lend my help to the Writers of the Future program. The more good writers there are, the more good readers there will be. We’ll all benefit—writers and readers alike!” —Frank Herbert

“Writers of the Future is the gold standard of emerging talent into the field of science fiction fantasy that has contributed more to the genre than any other source.” —Midwest Book Review

“The best new stories by new writers, anywhere.” —Larry Niven

“From cutting-edge high-tech to evocative fantasy, this book’s got it all.” —Tim Powers

“These are the people who are going to be creating trends.” —Brandon Sanderson

“Writers of the Future is always one of the best anthologies of the year.” —Tangent

“It’s an honor to present these amazingly talented individuals and their wonderful work in this anthology.” —Tom Wood