Writers of the Future Podcast

Raymond Porter is an American actor and audiobook narrator who is most widely known for portraying the DC Comics villain Darkseid in Zack Snyder's Justice League. But for this interview, he was best known as the voice talent for Jonathan Maberry's "Joe Ledger Series" and for Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary" which we discussed. I also learned that Ray had narrated several L. Ron Hubbard stories. We discussed the many facets of recording audiobooks, both technical and philosophical. We had a lot of fun and he explained what works and doesn't work in storytelling from his perspective as a voice actor.

James Artemis Owen is an amazing artist and brilliant author. He is known for his creator-owned comic book series "Starchild," and his fantasy series, “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica” titled “Here, There be Dragons,” which I just finished reading in preparation for this very fun interview! Learn more at: jamesaowen.com/

Today’s guests are William Joseph Roberts, AKA Hillbilly, and Benjamin Tyler Smith. Hillbilly is an award winner author for the JTF Legends. He is also an editor and publisher of Three Ravens Publishing. Ben is a writer of sf & f and is one of the co-publishers of Three Ravens Publishing. Their dream has been to help other authors get published and we became best of friends since virtually meeting during pandemic when Hillibilly took the Writers of the Future Online Workshop, then meeting him at DragonCon last year, and now spending time at Superstars 2023. This is their story of building Three Ravens Publishing.

Ron Collins was a very enthusiastic writer winner back in 1998. His is one of our iconic photos for Writers of the Future with him kissing his framed certificate after having been announced. He was initially published in WOTF 14 as a finalist with the story “The Disappearance of Josie Andrew” and then the following year as a winner in volume 15 with his story “Out of the Blue.” He has since gone on to write at least two dozen novels in multiple genres, sci-fi, fantasy, and political thriller. In this interview, we tackle space-based science fiction centered around his Stealing the Sun Series, which evolved from his 24-hour story written at the Writers of the Future Workshop. Learn more at https://typosphere.com/

Douglas E. Richards discusses the blur between science and science fiction. He speaks to the furious pace of progress, and how he's come to believe that almost nothing is out of reach. This is a topic covered in his recent novel, "Portals." We also discuss addiction, not drugs, but all forms and how it fits into "Portals." DIA is researching "Traversable Wormholes, Stargates, and Negative Energy" and the speed with which science fiction is moving to science fact. Learn more at www.douglaserichards.com/

Scot Noel was published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 6 in 1990, which helped launch a very successful career as a writer and in starting his own science fiction and fantasy magazine, DreamForge. This is his story. He also reveals what he is looking for from authors wanting to be published. Scot views the world with the perspective that the glass is half full and the future will always be better. He has created a special offer for podcast listeners: https://dreamforgemagazine.com/wotf/ The first 50 new print subscribers get a free copy of Worlds of Light & Darkness, and the first 50 digital subscribers get a print back issue. (offers limited to US only) Discover DreamForge at https://dreamforgemagazine.com/

J.L. George lives in Cardiff, Wales, and writes weird and speculative fiction. She was a winner published in Writers of the Future Volume 36 with her story "Catching My Death" and has just released her novel, "The Word" (www.amazon.com/Word-JL-George-ebook/dp/B09C52NZ38). She also writes contemporary/urban fantasy as Louise Long. We discuss the importance of having great titles for your work. We discuss the power of language and how it affects a population while presenting a cautionary tale of what may lie ahead for us as social media disinformation creates such divisiveness. You can reach her at https://jlgeorgewrites.wordpress.com/

Illustrators of the Future Volume 38 winner Natalia Salvador, from Spain, discusses her new illustrated children's book and how she is creating her career as an artist. She started as a self-taught artist who then studied art in college but quit her art after being told that illustration wasn't valid. It required family and friends to get her to create her art again. See her art at www.nataliasalvador.es/

This is my second interview with Hugh Howey. I've now read three of his books: Wool, Sand, and the just-released Across the Sand. They are all science fiction thrillers. But they allude to a not-too-distant future, never stated but knowable of a world turned upside down but moving forward. We tackle superstition vs technology and the lessons taught by the nomads that you are the only one holding yourself down. Plus the function of morality and integrity as an author. Learn more about Hugh at: hughhowey.com/

Rebecca Hardy (penname for Rebecca Danese) is a writer, photographer, and artist working in London while residing in West Sussex, England. "The House of Lost Wives" is her debut adult novel set in 1813, pre-Victorian England, which relies upon the existence of ghosts that only the protagonist can see. We discuss her journey to becoming a published author and why she chose the route she did. Hers is a very interesting story to arrive as a published author, and I am very happy I could interview her. I initially met her after she wrote a blog post on the cameras of Battlefield Earth. Learn more at www.rebeccadanese.com/