Writers of the Future Podcast

Ken Scholes was rejected 75 times before his first story sale. After winning Writers of the Future in 2005, he sold his first novel within a year, got an agent and sold a 5-book series, "The Psalms of Isaak." He has been a gospel singer, preacher, a multiple award-winning writer, and a performing musician. He is a single dad with 10-year-old twins, still writes, and performs his own music as well around Portland!! Ken talks about his journey, successes and losses, and how he maintains his #1 priority, "I have to create." Learn more about Ken at www.KenScholes.com and discover his music at KenScholes.com/music

Illustrators of the Future Golden Brush Award winner Bea Jackson (vol 24) has been creating art all her life. She discusses the importance of communicating the words of the author through her art. She approaches digital art using traditional methods which she explains. She is an introvert who must step out of her comfort zone to meet new people, nerves, shakes, and all! But it has paid off. She tries to learn from other artists, who she doesn't see as competition. She recently had her illustration book "Parker Looks Up" hit the NYT bestseller list and became a finalist in the NAACP Achievement Awards. As regards the Illustrators of the Future Contest, her simple advice is, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Enter the Contest." You can see her art at www.beagifted.com

Jason Fischer (WOTF 26 winner, 2010) is a speculative fiction writer from South Australia who himself is on the autism spectrum. He runs Spectrum Writing (SpectrumWriting.com.au) to mentor young people anywhere on the autism spectrum who aspire to be a storyteller. He is predominantly recognized as a writer in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. He talks about the value of Writers & Illustrators of the Future for students he works with as everyone is welcomed to enter and the only judging done is on the story or art submitted! Jason can be reached at jasonfischer.com.au and argonauticapress.com

Laurie Tom is a Chinese American living in Southern California. She won Writers of the Future in 2010 and was published in volume 26. She starting writing when she was 12 and has been writing 10 years before submitting her first story to F&SF and promptly got her first reject. Her skill eventually caught up with her enthusiasm. She can't not write. She is a compulsive outliner for her short stories which makes for amazing short fiction. You can find Laurie at www.curiousfictions.com/authors/52-laurie-tom Or on Twitter @writerrat

Kary English originally entered Writers of the Future as a high school student, quit, resumed after a successful career and discovered that a favorite author, Brad Torgerson, was a winner and the forum moderator. After several more entries, she won the Contest and a few years later was invited by Dave Farland to be Contest First Reader...and here is her story. Oh yeah, listen to her Neil Gaiman story at the 9 minute mark. :) www.karyenglish.com

Writers of the Future Coordinating Judge David Farland discusses how your novel doesn't have to just be a novel and how you can take it to the next level as an intellectual property generating considerable additional revenue. davidfarland.com

Terry Madden was published in WOTF 30. Trained in biology and chemistry combined with a background in screenwriting and historical fiction, she has shifted gears and is currently working on a science fiction adventure. She provides tips on how to move forward as a writer, whether short fiction or novels. www.terrymaddenwrites.com

Tom Doherty, Publisher of Tor, talks about the history of science fiction book publishing. He also publishes most of the Writers of the Future judges and discusses the value of the Writers of the Future program.

Acclaimed science fiction writer Robert Silverberg discusses his relationship with the pro's of science fiction's golden age. He reflects on his role as a judge for Writers of the Future and shares anecdotes about well-known authors. The discussion explores the future of sci-fi literature, self-publishing, and the importance of conventions. Additionally, Silverberg emphasizes the significance of being kind, studying famous authors, and the differences between writing short fiction and novels.

Scott T. Barnes, winner WOTF 28 in 2012, is Samurai swordsman, editor of NewMyths Magazine while maintaining his own writing career. He discusses how he has handled life and writing with his daughter recently coming down with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) which has made him feel emotions he didn't feel he was capable of. You can find Scott at ScottTBarnes.com or NewMyths.com.