Writers of the Future, Volume 28

Behold . . .

A magical woven man carries treasures, and secrets, inside himself that could threaten an entire kingdom.

A photographer finds he has the power to open gateways to alternate universes, which is the key to everything he has lost in his life.

A skilled artist uses his mind to control and shape countless insects into beautiful works of art, but only if he can control his own fears.

Explore . . .

A pair of explorers on Mars unravels a fantastic mystery of an ancient galaxy-spanning civilization . . . but not everyone wants the answers to be found.

The flotsam and jetsam of humanity eke out a living on floating garbage islands; they have the key to saving the world, unless they tear themselves apart first.

A vast network of imprisoned, unconscious humans begin a revolution using the powers of their minds.

Discover . . .

A loyal golem learns to understand love and humanity, even as the people around him forget. . . .

When a clone obtains her soul, she learns the joys—and dark consequences—of being human.

In a post-apocalyptic world, a young man and woman work desperately to keep their isolated home safe, until protection degenerates into paranoia.

Artificial intelligence and nanotechnology recreate Irish literary figures—with a vengeance.

Journey . . .

The only way for a soldier to penetrate an incompre-hensible alien infestation is to stop her own heart and die—repeatedly.

Humans responsible for bringing a new race into a galactic alliance learn that one mistake can mean the annihilation of both races.

In the hyper-accelerated world of an augmented human, life and death—and all the decisions in between—can happen in a fraction of a second.

These stories from the freshest, most talented new voices in science fiction and fantasy, are individually illustrated by the best new artists in the genre. You will definitely encounter these names again in the future—but you saw them first in
L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume XXVIII
.

What Has Been Said About the

L. RON HUBBARD

Presents

Writers of the Future

Anthologies

“Always a glimpse of tomorrow’s stars . . .”

—
Publishers Weekly
starred review

“An anthology of the best of the best original science fiction short stories and illustrations from the annual Writers of the Future and Illustrators of the Future international programs.”

—
The Midwest Book Review

“Not only is the writing excellent . . . it is also extremely varied. There’s a lot of hot new talent in it.”

—
Locus
magazine

“A first rate collection of stories and illustrations.”

—
Booklist
magazine

“Where can an aspiring sci-fi artist go to get discovered
?
. . . Fortunately, there’s one opportunity
—
the Illustrators of the Future Contest
—
that offers up-and-coming artists an honest-to-goodness shot at science fiction stardom.”

—
Sci Fi
magazine

“The Writers of the Future Contest has had a profound impact on my career, ever since I submitted my first story in 1989.”

— Sean Williams

Writers of the Future Contest winner 1993 and Contest judge

“The Illustrators of the Future Contest is one of the best opportunities a young artist will ever get. You have nothing to lose and a lot to win.”

— Frank Frazetta, Artist

Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

“This Contest serves as one of those first rungs that one must climb on the ladder to success.”

— Dave Wolverton

Writers of the Future Contest winner 1987 and Contest judge

“I really can’t say enough good things about Writers of the Future. . . . It’s fair to say that without Writers of the Future, I wouldn’t be where I am today. . . .”

— Patrick Rothfuss

Writers of the Future Contest winner 2002

“The aspect I personally value most highly about the program is that of working with my fellow professionals, both artists and writers, to accomplish a worthwhile goal of giving tomorrow’s artists and writers recognition and advancement in the highly competitive field of imaginative endeavor—the only existing program that does this.”

— Stephen Hickman, Artist

Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

“That phone call telling me I had won was the first time in my life that it seemed possible I would achieve my long-cherished dream of having a career as a writer.”

— K. D. Wentworth

Writers of the Future Contest winner 1989 and Contest Coordinating Judge

“The Writers of the Future Contest was definitely an accelerator to my writing development. I learned so much, and it came at just the right moment for me.”

— Jo Beverley

Writers of the Future Contest winner 1988

“I only wish that there had been an Illustrators of the Future competition forty-five years ago. What a blessing it would have been to a young artist with a little bit of talent, a Dutch name and a heart full of desire.”

— H. R. Van Dongen, Artist

Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

“The Writers of the Future Contest played a critical role in the early stages of my career as a writer.”

— Eric Flint

Writers of the Future Contest winner 1993
and Contest judge

“The Contest kept the spark and life of my science-fictional imagination going. I might have had little confidence before, but after the workshops, I received the great start that the Contest’s visionary founder always hoped and knew that it could provide.”

— Amy Sterling Casil

Writers of the Future Contest winner 1999

“It’s hard to say enough about how unique and powerful this Contest can be for any writer who’s ready to take the next step.”

— Jeff Carlson

Writers of the Future Contest winner 2007

“The Writers of the Future Contest sowed the seeds of my success. . . . So many people say a writing career is impossible, but WotF says, ‘Dreams are worth following.’”

— Scott Nicholson

Writers of the Future Contest winner 1999

“The Illustrators of the Future Contest is more than a contest. It is truly a great opportunity that could very well change your life. The Contest gives you the tools to think outside the box and create a niche for yourself.”

— Robert Castillo, Artist

Illustrators of the Future Contest winner 2008 and Contest judge

“You have to ask yourself, ‘Do I really have what it takes, or am I just fooling myself
?
’ That pat on the back from Writers of the Future told me not to give up. . . . All in all, the Contest was a fine finishing step from amateur to pro, and I’m grateful to all those involved.”

— James Alan Gardner

Writers of the Future Contest winner 1990

“Knowing that such great authors as the WotF judges felt my stories were worth publishing encouraged me to write more and submit more.”

— Eric James Stone

Writers of the Future Contest winner 2005

“The Writers of the Future experience played a pivotal role during a most impressionable time in my writing career. Everyone was so welcoming. And afterwards, the WotF folks were always around when I had questions or needed help. It was all far more than a mere writing contest.”

— Nnedi Okorafor

Writers of the Future Contest published finalist 2002

“Illustrators of the Future offered a channel through which to direct my ambitions. The competition made me realize that genre illustration is actually a valued profession, and here was a rare opportunity for a possible entry point into that world.”

— Shaun Tan, Artist

Illustrators of the Future Contest winner 1993 and Contest judge

“The generosity of the people involved with the Contest is amazing, and frankly humbling. It’s no exaggeration to say I wouldn’t be where I am today without it, and that means I wouldn’t be going where I am tomorrow, either. So, in a way Writers of the Future shaped my future, and continues to shape it.”

— Steven Savile

Writers of the Future Contest winner 2003

“These Contests provide a wonderful safety net of professionals for young artists and writers. And it’s due to the fact that L. Ron Hubbard was willing to lend a hand.”

— Judith Miller, Artist

Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

“The Writers of the Future Contest launched my career into several amazing trajectories, and I’m enjoying them all.”

— David Sakmyster

Writers of the Future Contest winner 2006

“The Contests are amazing competitions because really, you’ve nothing to lose and they provide good positive encouragement to anyone who wins. Judging the entries is always a lot of fun and inspiring. I wish I had something like this when I was getting started—very positive and cool.”

— Bob Eggleton, Artist

Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

“I credit the Writers of the Future Contest as an important part of my career launch, and I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to establish themselves in the field of science fiction and fantasy.”

— Ken Scholes

Writers of the Future Contest winner 2005

“When I first set out to become a professional writer (ah, hubris), one of my key ambitions was to place in the top tier of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. . . . Without Mr. Hubbard’s sponsorship, I wouldn’t have had that fabulous, high-profile launch.”

— Jay Lake

Writers of the Future Contest winner 2003

L. Ron Hubbard
PRESENTS

Writers of the Future

VOLUME XXVIII

The year’s thirteen best tales from
the Writers of the Future
international writers’ program

Illustrated by winners in
the Illustrators of the Future
international illustrators’ program

With essays on writing & illustration by
L. Ron Hubbard / Kristine Kathryn Rusch / Shaun Tan
Edited by K. D. Wentworth

GALAXY PRESS, LLC