L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40

The Best New SF & Fantasy of the Year

De: L. Ron Hubbard

Narrado por: Jim Meskimen, Taylor Meskimen, Tamra Meskimen, Victoria Summer

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

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.

Be carried away by stories—and illustrations—that will make you think, laugh, and see the world in ways you never imagined.

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. 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, art by May Zheng

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, art by Gigi Hooper

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 by Selena Meraki

Authors: L. Ron Hubbard, Nancy Kress, S. M. Stirling, Gregory Benford, Bob Eggleton, Dean Wesley Smith, Amir Agoora, James Davies, Kal M, Sky McKinnon, Jack Nash, Rosalyn Robilliard, Lance Robinson, John Eric Schleicher, Lisa Silverthorne, Stephannie Tallent, Tom Vandermolen, and Galen Westlake

Illustrators: Dan dos Santos, Ashley Cassaday, Gigi Hooper, Jennifer Mellen, Pedro Nascimento, Steve Bentley, Connor Chamberlain, Selena Meraki, Guelly Rivera, Tyler Vail, Carina Zhang, May Zheng, Lucas Durham, and Chris Arias

Edited by: Jody Lynn Nye

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Galaxy Press (P)2024 Galaxy Audio

Audio excellence!

The narration in these works brings these already amazing stories to a new level. They come to life and dance through your imagination. If you like audio books and fantasy and science fiction, you can't go wrong with the latest Writers of the Future anthology!

imaginative and diverse.

the best new sf and fantasy you can find. anywhere. great stories great new authors.

Great variety of stories!

As always, there's a range of stories in this volume of Writers of the Future. I'm so glad they started doing audio versions. This volume has a range of narrators who all did a phenomenal job capturing the characters in the stories. There's mysticism, humor, heartbreak, and spiritual journeying. There's explorations of artificial intelligence, aging with dignity, realms beyond mortality, the future, the impossible, and the unknown. It's an engaging look at worlds we can only imagine. I loved every minute of it!

Excellent compilation, great narration

Engaging short stories, well written and diverse. Couldn’t stop listening! Each story was fulfilling and complete, well worth the purchase and I will be listening to as many of these as are available. The contest itself is inspiring, and the stories include information about each winning author. There are stories about the contest interspersed with profiles and stories of each judges accomplishments and interests. Overall excellent! Finished it in less than 3 days.

All Of these collections are amazing!

I have every one of these collections that has been put on Audible. And, I have listened to every last one of them more than once. I think it’s safe to say that when a group of writers get together and pick their favorite fiction there are going to be very few duds. These stories are just amazing.

Amazing well done stories

The combination or narration and writing really brings this out such amazing and contemplative storytelling I just loved this

Great Mix: Something for Everyone

This was fantastic. Seriously. There was a ton of variety--the sort of thing where not every story will be for everyone, but everyone will have some stories that stick out to them. High-quality writing and unique voices. I gravitate to funny, but there are plenty of other, more "serious" stories, too. Here are some stories I really liked:

Squiddy: Is a gritty SF detective noir that takes place in the Olympic rainforest. I've camped there. The setting felt completely real. The story premise was unique, weird, and a bit scary, delving into themes like drug addiction and how we start new chapters in our lives. It has a complete ending but leaves the possibility of future adventures open (because the author intends to novelize them).

Butter Side Down: Is a hilarious space opera written in the form of transcripts. Despite its life and death stakes, it stays light and funny the entire way through. A great pick me up, and I fell in love with the toaster. At the same time, the story looks at the wonder of what it means to be human--not a superhuman amazing genius; just a human with a good heart. Very relatable.

The Last Drop: Also funny! You know those wild stories people tell in bars? This is 100% that. It's weird, but I embraced that because it lent to the funniness. It was a bonus story by L. Ron Hubbard himself, and it makes me want to read more of his work.

The Imagilisk: I loved this! It turned on its head the terrible stereotypes of old people getting dementia and getting pushed to the sidelines of stories. My grandma had dementia; I saw her struggles, and this is how SHE would have wanted to be seen. This story is funny, rolling with its "senior challenges," even as the main character has to save his friends from a supernatural problem.

Will listen to next year's volume, too.