324. Grand Prize Winners Randyn Bartholomew, Writer, and Jordan Smajstrla, Illustrator

On the evening of Thursday, April 10, 2025 at the 41st Annual Writers of the Future and the 36th Annual Illustrators of the Future L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards Gala in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Randyn C. J. Bartholomew from Brooklyn, NY was named the 2025 Grand Prize Writer Winner and Jordan Smajstrla of Boerne, TX was named the 2025 Grand Prize Illustrator Winner. Randyn C. J. Bartholomew said, “This is a dream come true! It’s hard to imagine; it’s wild! I think the most important thing I learned this week is that there’s a community of people doing this. It’s not you or me sitting alone at laptops anymore. Thank you!” Jordan Smajstrla said, “I am so honored to have been chosen. I wouldn’t be here without my writer. His story is the foundation of my illustration. Arts is one of the most important things in life. If you are driven to create, create. Don’t let anyone stop you or tell you you aren’t good enough. Artistic expression brings people together and makes the world a better place. Never stop.” This interview was recorded at the Loews Hotel in Hollywood, California, the morning following the Awards Gala.