This week’s guest is internationally bestselling author Katherine Kurtz. Combining her study of medieval English at university with the popularity of J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, she evolved a new sub-genre of world fantasy called historical fantasy set in close parallels to our own medieval period and featuring “magic” that much resembles what some of us might call extrasensory perception. 

She has gone on to author 16 historical fantasy novels in the Deryni series, as well as occult and urban fantasy.

136. Katherine Kurtz created the historical fantasy sub-genre

Brian Herbert, author of “Dreamer of Dune,” a book about his father Frank Herbert, discusses his relationship with his father, Frank’s growth from aspiring to international bestselling author, and Brian’s own journey as a bestselling author.

224. Brian Herbert author of “Dreamer of Dune” Frank Herbert

I originally met Steve Pantazis in 2015 when he was published in Writers of the Future Volume 31 with his very clever story, “Switch.”

I have been nagging him for about eight years now, asking for his novel. Well, he has not only provided that novel, he has done so in spades with a nine-book epic fantasy series entitled The Light of Darkness of which I read the first volume.

We discuss his journey, starting 40 years ago, in creating this series.

Up to the launch of this series, he has published short stories in Nature, Galaxy’s Edge, and Intergalactic Medicine Show.

227. Steve Pantazis releases 1st of 9 volume epic fantasy series

This interview was recorded the morning following the Awards Gala for "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 39." 

Dave Henrickson was the Golden Pen Award-winning author with his story "White Elephant," and Dao Vi was the Golden Brush Award-winner illustrator for his illustration of the story "The Last History." We discuss their trajectories to becoming the grand prize winners.

View Dao Vi art at https://daovi1215.artstation.com/

228. 2023 Grand Prize Winners Dave Henrickson and Dao Vi

How about this as our topic for this episode:
A hideous idol.
An ancient slumbering evil.
A murderous cult.

Today’s guest is John Haas. This is his third appearance on this podcast.

Three years ago, in episode 20, when he had just won:
John is from Ontario, Canada, and entered the Writers of the Future Contest 10 times over a 10-year period. He won the Contest with his Lovecraft-influenced horror story, "The Damned Voyage." His goal is to transition to a full-time writer.

Then again, 1 1/2 years ago, in episode 122:
John Haas has wanted to be a pro writer for most of his life … but life kept getting in his way. He kept persisting and now finds himself on the cusp of realizing that dream. For any who aspire to living their dream, whatever that dream, listen to this episode of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast with Writers of the Future winner and author John Haas. After all, dreams can be made to happen.

And now, with episode 229:
As I prepared for this interview, I was trying to reconcile why I have had him on more than any other winner. He is Canadian and a super nice guy and writes some pretty intense horror. Somewhat of a contradiction that I will hopefully resolve in this interview.

229. John Haas did I tell you the one about a hideous idol?

Dennis E. Taylor's bio simply states that he is a retired computer programmer, an enthusiastic snowboarder, and an inveterate science fiction reader.

His  Bobiverse Trilogy steps on any authoritarian, political, or religious toes. We discuss his satire as a lead-up to our upcoming relaunch of Mission Earth. It was written in multiple first-person points of view. Fascinating!

Having read "We Are Legion (We Are Bob)" in the Bobiverse trilogy, I now understand his writing satire.

245. Dennis E. Taylor Pokes Fun With His Humorous Sci-Fi

Top 100 Amazon author James Rosone returns to discuss his Monroe Doctrine Series and how he researches near-future warfare tying in newly evolving technologies leading to a very questionable future.

He provides his techniques on how he has remained a top 100 Amazon author for several years.

247. James Rosone Top 100 Amazon Author Tells How He Does It

I met Brandon Mull at Life the Universe and Everything conference last year in Provo, Utah, and we immediately hit it off. He was such a super nice guy and I wanted to have him as a guest on this podcast as I felt he would be an inspiration to this podcast's listeners. 

He sent me the first volume of "Fablehaven" and "Candy Shop War" and I really enjoyed reading them. I told several several of my fellow staff at Galaxy Press about Brandon and they began reading and raving about his books.

I know you are going to enjoy this podcast because I sure did!

Learn more about Brandon at https://brandonmull.com/

251. Brandon Mull Special Magical World Building

Allow me to introduce you to Matthew Wolf, an incredible epic fantasy author. We discuss his origins as an author, inspiration, and creating vivid characters and storylines. And let me recommend the Ronin Saga.

Follow him at MatthewWolfAuthor.com

255. Matthew Wolf the Role of Inspiration in Fantasy Storytelling

Barbara Lund was the Writers of the Future Golden Pen Award-winning author for Volume 37 and writes sci-fi and fantasy. But I really enjoyed her sci-fi detective procedural "Platform 8."

She has a full-time job, is a mom, and gives her formula for being able to write and publish as well—working out priorities.

Learn more at barbaralund.com/new-page

257. Barbara Lund Writing Sci-Fi Detective Procedurals

The first half of this interview is with José Sánchez & Chris Arias at the Writers of the Future Awards week. The second half is with Chris, who has had a whirlwind of excitement and recognition after he returned to Costa Rica.

258. José Sánchez & Chris Arias artists from Costa Rica

Alex Shvartsman is from Ukraine and came to the US as the USSR was collapsing and now lives in New York. With English as his third language, he read voraciously and began writing in his thirties. He sold 100 short stories before venturing into novels. He loves to write.
He also holds the distinction of having been #3 in the world in Magic the Gathering.
He was originally published in Galaxy's Edge magazine as published by Mike Resnick (WOTF judge).

We discuss how he writes snarky (satire, humor) fantasy and sci fi.

Visit Alex at alexshvartsman.com and receive the free ebook "Explaining Cthulu to Grandma."

259.Alex Shvartsman on Writing Snark in SF&F

Judith Anderle, who, along with her husband, Michael, has built an indie publishing empire and created the 20BooksTo50K annual conference.
In this interview, we discuss publishing, AI, and copyright law as it currently stands in January 2024.

260. Judith Anderle Discusses AI, Publishing, and Copyright Law

Jo Henry is the managing director of Bookbrunch, a daily news service and information site for the book industry.

She has worked in the book industry for over 40 years, starting at the literary agency A.M Heath; she has worn probably every possible hat in the publishing industry. She joined BookBrunch in 2018. 

Jo was co-founder of the Book Marketing Society and a former chair of both the Book Society and the Book Trade Charity.

261. Jo Henry, Managing Director of Bookbrunch Publishing News Service

I met Rebecca Hardy, pen name for Rebecca Hardy, after she wrote a blog post on the cameras of Battlefield Earth.

She was subsequently a guest just over a year ago with her debut novel, “House of Lost Wives.” She is a writer, photographer, and artist working in London while residing in West Sussex, England.
She has just come out with her second novel, “The Merchant’s Daughter,” again written in first person. 

As I am routinely cautioned about writing in the first person, I wanted to revisit the subject with someone who successfully uses first-person narrative.

www.rebeccadanese.com/rebecca_hardy_author.php

262. Rebecca Hardy Discusses Writing in 1st Person

Joni Labaqui has been the Contest Director since 1995. In this episode, we discuss both Contests, starting with what it was like in 1995 and how it has grown.
We also discussed each of the Coordinating judges for both Contests.

263. Contest Director Joni Labaqui Discusses the History of the Contest

Deon McAdoo, Key Accounts Sales Manager for Ingram Spark.
IngramSpark is an online self-publishing company that allows you to print, globally distribute, and manage your print and ebooks.

I knew very little about Ingram Spark before this interview but rapidly learned what an amazing tool this is for authors wanting to get their books published and distributed--EVEN IN BOOKSTORES!

264. Deon McAdoo tells authors how to get books published through Ingram Spark

I met up with Jim Butcher at the Superstars Writing Conference in Colorado Springs. He is the creator of The Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new series, the Cinder Spires. We talk about his journey to becoming a bestselling author and any backstories of the characters in his Dresden series.

Much more insight into why he is the incredible author that he is.

265. Jim Butcher Dresden Files and Writing Urban Fantasy

Craig Martelle has taken his more than twenty years of experience in the Marine Corps, his legal education, and his business consulting career to write compelling stories. He recommended the first in his Ian Bragg Thriller Series, “The Operator,” which I read and thoroughly enjoyed.

But his bio also says he writes sf, urban fantasy, YA fantasy, and regular fantasy as well as thriller.

But today, it's all about the thriller!

266. Craig Martelle on Compelling Military Fiction Drama

In this interview done at Superstars 2024 in Colorado Springs, CO, David Weber discusses his journey to becoming the bestselling author, including "Honor Harrington," and we also address his coming to grips with being the new "old guard" of science fiction and fantasy authors.

I really enjoyed this interview. He is not only a great author, but a very lovely man.

267. David Weber Creator of Honor Harrington and Other Incredible Sci-Fi

Mark Leslie wrote a 10,000-word short that began his Canadian Werewolf series. In this interview, we discuss going from a story, to a novel, to a series, to collaborating with spin-offs.

Yogi Berra famously stated, "When you come to a fork, take it." We discuss how accurate this is as advice as you become more knowledgeable as a storyteller. We discuss how this can be accomplished.

268. Mark Leslie Lefebvre: Creating and Growing a Universe

Liza Trombi is the Editor-in-Chief of Locus Magazine. In this interview, we discuss the history of Locus and its importance to the SF&F field.
We also announce a fundraiser that Locus is running and that I encourage you to check out at www.LocusMag.com or go directly to https://igg.me/at/locusmag2024

269. Locus Mag Editor in Chief Discusses Its Importance to SF&F

Storm Humbert and fellow Writers of the Future winners created a publishing company called Calendar of Fools. 

They compiled a book containing only of rejects, not because they weren't good, but because they weren't right for where they were submitted. So, this project is to give these great stories a second chance!

They created a Kickstarter for the project, which you can find here:  www.kickstarter.com/projects/innerworkings/intergalactic-rejects-a-calendar-of-fools-anthology

In this interview, I am with Storm Humbert and fellow winner John Campbell, along with contributor Hillbilly, as we discuss how stories can live on.

270. Calendar of Fools with Intergalactic Rejects

Stephen Kotowych was a writer winner for Writers of the Future Volume 23 in 2007. 

He recently edited and published “The Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction Volume 1” anthology. It comprises 37 stories and poems and is 100% Canadian.

He has a Kickstarter for Volume Two that will run from March 19 through April 16. The link for the prelaunch is: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kotowych/years-best-canadian-fantasy-and-science-fiction-volume-two?ref=en3uxl

271. Stephen Kotowych editor of "The Year's Best Canadian F&SF Vol 1"

I’m here at Superstars Writing Conference in Colorado Springs. This is a podcast panel, meaning I am recording this podcast as I interview SoundBooth Theater founder Jeff Hays and international bestselling author Craig Martelle in front of a live audience.

Jeff Hays is a prolific narrator and producer, and CEO of Soundbooth Theater, a full-service audio production company that specializes in multicast audiobooks and Cinematic Audio.

Craig Martelle is the author of around 190 books. I am familiar with his Ian Bragg Thriller Series, covered in a separate podcast interview. He is also one of the geniuses behind the 20 Books to 50K Conference created by Michael Anderle.

272. SoundBooth Theater Creating Cinematic Audio

John Brown was a winner published in Writers of the Future Volume 13 with his story “The Scent of Desire” under his penname Bo Griffin. I met up with him again last year at LTUE and when I saw he would be back, I asked that he send me a book to read so I could have him on as a guest.

His bio says he writes action-packed thrillers and epic fantasies with characters you want to cheer for. After interviewing him, I discovered it is Magic Realism that he writes. 

He currently lives with his wife and four daughters in the hinterlands of Utah where one encounters much fresh air, many good-hearted ranchers, and the occasional wolf.

273. John Brown Discusses Writing Magic Realism

This episode features Jody Lynn Nye, and we discuss 40 years of Writers of the Future, its impact on the genre, and what she is looking for as the Coordinating Judge.

274. Jody Lynn Nye Coordinating Judge on 40 Years of Writers of the Future

Davina Powell is the Consumer Marketing Services Manager for Ingram Content Group.

She is a creative sales and marketing expert known for connecting publishers and authors to key audiences using Ingram iD.

Learn more at IngramiD.com

She has spent more than 10 years in the digital marketing space developing new resources that ensure publishers', booksellers', and authors' marketing budgets are used in a productive way.

275. Davina Powell Discusses Ingram iD Self-Publishing Tool

Echo Chernik and I discuss the history of the Illustrators of the Future Contest, where it has gotten to, and where it is going and how it is that we are able to select the best new talent in illustration around the world.

https://www.echo-x.com/

#276 Echo Chernik Illustrators of the Future Coordinating Judge on 35th Anniversary

Listen to the panel recorded at Salt Lake City FanX 2019. How do you write short stories that sell? Writers of the Future judges, Kevin J. Anderson, Jody Lynn Nye, Todd McCaffrey, Contest winner Brian Lee Durfee, and Galaxy Press staff Emily Goodwin and John Goodwin discuss the Contest, tips on story prompts and short fiction. They then answer questions from the audience. One hour long.

44. Writing Short Stories that sell from Contest Judges

Providing writing tips and art advice from Contest Judges and Winners for writers and artists wanting to take their next step, along with needed inspiration to keep on going!  Based on the world-famous Writers of the Future Contest created in 1983 by L. Ron Hubbard.

Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks