Writers of the Future Podcast

Steven L. Sears is one of Hollywood's most successful and productive screenwriters. He wrote for Riptide, Xena, Sheena, Swamp Thing, A-Team, Stingray, Starbuck, The Highwayman, Raven, and others. In this interview, Steven discusses how he became a screenwriter along a path that he did not expect. We discuss what is lazy writing. He also defines dynamic writing and its importance in succeeding as a writer, no matter what type of writing you want to pursue. https://www.facebook.com/steven.l.sears

Wulf Moon was a published winner in Writers of the Future and discusses the value of diversifying income streams to survive no matter the circumstances. He is also the moderator of the Writers of the Future Forum and discusses how it is a tool to help grow as a writer as you are with other writers who want to help each other. Discover Wulf Moon at www.driftweave.com

UK author Roger Ellory is a thriller author who discusses the book that started him along a successful path as a professional writer, "L. Ron Hubbard: The Writer." It contained essays and articles by Mr. Hubbard on the craft of writing which are as applicable now as when he wrote them, regardless the genre one decides to write in. One essay, "The Manuscript Factory," addresses output and how to achieve it. Mr. Hubbard produced 50,000 words a month, which Roger has taken to heart and he has written 50,000 words per month himself since becoming a writer. In William Shakespeare's home in London, there are a series of questions posed, nicely written on leather, and placed on a wall in his residence. One of the questions was "Is Shakespeare the most translated author in history?" Lifting up the leather, the answer reads, "No, that honor belongs to L. Ron Hubbard." Roger discusses the passion necessary to write a book that generates sufficient enthusiasm to engage a reader. He was first published in 2002 and has now published 15 novels, winning numerous awards globally and translated into 26 languages. Picasso responded to a question as to why he still painted perched on a ladder at 82 when a doodle on a napkin could sell for a quarter-million dollars: "Inspiration exists but it has to find you working." You need to keep yourself working, keep yourself motivated. Any creative faculty is like a muscle. If you don't exercise it, it won't get strong. So you have to write to build it. He recommends "A Quiet Belief in Angels" as his first book and I wholeheartedly agree! It's an amazing read. Learn more about him at www.rjellory.com

Charles Gannon is an award-winning SF author with his Tales of the Terran Republic series as well as being a Distinguished Professor of English. We discuss believable world-building, xeno-world-building, exosapients (aliens), and exobiospheres (other inhabitable planets). Discover all of his works at charlesegannon.com/wp/

Lezli Robyn is the editor of Galaxy's Edge Magazine and Assistant Publisher at Arc Manor, and she discusses her introduction to science fiction and what she now looks for to be published in her publications and what a rejection from a magazine means. The value of short fiction to getting discovered, building one's name, and maintaining one's audience, especially with magazines going digital, is increasing the popularity of short fiction as it provides bite-sized escapes from the world. Learn more about Lezli at lezlirobyn.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.

Writers of the Future and Toni originally met in New York in 1989 where she was a volunteer helping at the Awards event! She has since worked with Jim Baen, working under him as an editor and wearing every hat in a publishing house. With Jim's passing, Toni became the owner and publisher of Baen Books and is going strong! In this interview, we talk about the future of publishing and we also talk about one of her book projects from 1995, "Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts."

With a Bachelors in Physics and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Oxford in England, Alan Smale came to America in the late 80s to work with NASA and never went back. In addition to being a research scientist with NASA, Alan writes alternate history and historical fantasy, and is an a capella vocalist. He was a WOTF 13 winner with his story, "Wings." Alan discusses his process in writing alternate history and the extent of his research to provide an accurate base and then weave in his alternate history aspect. He also covers how he manages a full time job with NASA, performing his music, and writing...including an immense amount of research that results in a lengthy novel a year. Discover his many works at www.alansmale.com

Lazarus Chernik has been an art director for over 20 years working with Fortune 100 giants as well as small businesses in need of reaching their next level. He was asked to discuss do's and don'ts of working with an art director. He provides key and vital things artists need to know to work with an art director and things to avoid. He does this by explaining what the art director's job is and explaining what the artist's job is.

Larry discusses how to write hard science fiction and pitfalls to avoid based on what he learned in writing "Ring World." He does concede that readers will forgive a mistake if it's a really good story. We also discuss his laws of collaboration and what is important to make collaboration work, discussing writing with Jerry Pournelle. Larry also explains how he became an author and the two times he felt like a real writer. Discover the various works by Larry at www.larryniven.net