Bob Boze Bell has been a friend for over a decade and has provided various features on western titles by L. Ron Hubbard in True West Magazine. His work has appeared in Arizona Highways, Playboy, National Lampoon, the Arizona Republic, and True West magazine. For ten years (2002-2012), he produced a video version of True West Moments, which aired on the Westerns Channel. In this episode, we discuss what makes a Western story different from other genres, along with the role of research in good storytelling. Bob was ahead of the curve in using social media to grow the popularity of True West Magazine, which we also cover. BBB can currently be seen on the series “Gunslingers,” which runs on the American Heroes Channel. Triple B is also the President and executive editor of True West magazine, positions he has held since 1999. He has written a dozen books on Old West characters, including Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Wild Bill Hickok, as well as a three-part series (so far) on Classic Gunfights, which appear in True West. Learn more about Bob and True West Magazine at blog.truewestmagazine.com/

Today’s guest is Patrick Kidder, editor in chief of Sally Port Magazine. Patrick was introduced by a Writers of the Future super-fan, Annmarie SanSevero. This podcast is always supportive of publishing activities that help out authors and artists working to get their voices heard and so he was a welcome guest. To learn more, visit https://sallyportmagazine.com/

Christina Hess is the Department Head of Illustration at Ringling College of Art & Design. In this interview, we discuss the value of art school and the impact of AI on art. Christina is an illustrator known for blending historical and natural themes across a wide range of projects. Her portfolio includes everything from numismatic designs (the study of coins, tokens, medals, and paper money) to illustrated cookbooks, rendered in various media such as graphite, watercolor, oil, and digital. Two 2026 United States coins will feature designs by Christina. The new quarter showcases scientist Dr. Vera Rubin. She also designed a new $1 coin depicting Native Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui as part of the Native American $1 Coin Program. Christina’s illustrations have been featured in publications such as the Society of Illustrators West, Spectrum Fantastic Art, ImagineFX, and 3x3 Magazine. And if that’s not enough, she is a wonderful person, and her students at Ringling are extremely fortunate to have her! Learn more at www.christinahess.com/about

In the beginning, there was no punctuation. Texts were written so that their letters ran together withnospacesorpunctuation and without any distinction between lowercase and capitals. It was up to the reader to discover where each word or sentence ended and the next began. Then, through orators and actors, marks were made to show pauses and stops and emphasis, and thus punctuation was born. Ian Randal Strock is the perfect guest for this topic. As a successful editor, author, and publisher, he has taken it upon himself to thoroughly research the history of punctuation and why it is so important to literature. In this interview, Ian discusses his book “Punctilious Punctuation,” and how bad punctuation is an immediate turn-off for an editor or reader. This leads to the importance of knowing the rules before breaking them. What is the solution for the current wave of language devaluing…especially as we witness on social media texting? The back cover copy says you will laugh and you will cringe, and this is certainly true. So, enjoy this very fun episode. BTW, ever wonder why commas and periods always must be inside quotation marks? Learn more at https://ianrandalstrock.com/

Ruby Lovell is an award-winning journalist, dynamic show host, and accomplished author whose career bridges the worlds of entertainment, media, and storytelling—making her the perfect guest for this podcast. Born in Sri Lanka, she has lived in the UK and the US and has traveled the world. We originally met at the Hollywood Christmas Parade, where Ruby was a media attendee. Ruby next attended and brilliantly covered that year's Writers of the Future Awards gala, creating a wonderful video segment on the event with her acclaimed series Right On LA! with Ruby Lovell. In this interview, we discuss her career as a journalist for the BBC and NTD News, her creation of a travel show sponsored by the BBC, and her transition into children’s book authorship.

Megan O'Russell is a YA author who transitioned from a successful career in theater to writing. We met on a panel at Dragon Con and agreed to do this podcast. We discuss her journey, the importance of storytelling, and the differences between traditional and indie publishing. Megan shares insights on empowering authors, navigating the editing process, and the significance of world-building in fantasy literature. We also explore the handling of romance and sexuality in YA, the supportive nature of the indie author community, and provide valuable advice for aspiring writers. Megan discusses her YA novel, “Ember and Stone,” which is a compelling example of YA romance and empowerment. Great examples of dealing with profanity without using profanity. Megan has set up a code to allow listeners to discover her fantastical worlds. All you need to do is go to https://meganorussell.com/discount/FUTURE50, add any ebook to your cart (no complete collections as they're already sold at a discount), and the code will be applied to each single ebook at checkout.

Jim Nettles is a well-established author of science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction. However, in this interview, we delve into another aspect of Jim, as the founder of Author Essentials and Author Essentials Workshops. In this interview, we discuss his book, “Business Essentials for Writers”, and he shares his unique perspective on failure, emphasizing that not trying is the true failure. Additional topics include: - To be successful, though, you’ve got to understand how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together. - The “myth of the starving artist.” - Four focuses: Mindset; strategy; Tactical Actions; Operational Actions - We discuss the various types of editors and why you might need them. We also clarify editors vs. beta readers - In the new world of self-publishing, why are editors still important - Publicity: obscurity is the enemy of the author Learn more at https://jamespnettles.com/

Bestselling fantasy author Katie Cross is one of the most comfortable authors I have ever read. “Miss Mabel’s School for Girls” is the first book in the Network Series. In this episode, Katie shares her journey as a writer, the inspiration behind her books, and the importance of engaging with readers. She discusses her unique approach to storytelling, character development, and the magic system in her works. Katie emphasizes the significance of mindset in overcoming challenges and the value of self-publishing. The conversation also explores the balance between family life and a writing career, as well as the impact of conventions on reader engagement. She can be found at https://katiecrossbooks.com/

Subrahmanian Seshadri, who goes by “Sesh,” is the CEO of Overleaf Books LLP and a member of the Educational Publishers Forum of the International Publishers Association, representing India, a country with a population of 1.4 billion. We discuss Writers and Illustrators of the Future and its importance to creative individuals in India. Sesh see's the value of the Contests for teh 213,000,000 middle school students. Both Contests are perfect fits for India, and we hope that new Indian voices will be discovered for the international stage.

Discover the visionary world of Jean Henri Gaston Giraud—also known as Gir but better known as Moebius, a master of cosmic comics—in this podcast episode. Join us for an interview with his children, Nausicaa and Raphael, as they discuss the enduring legacy of their father, a trailblazer whose surreal artistry reshaped science fiction. We met at the France Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair and recorded at the Galaxy Press booth discussing his legacy as well as their own stories with their father. Moebius co-founded Heavy Metal Magazine and served as a founding judge for Illustrators of the Future, even illustrating Jo Beverly's story in Writers of the Future Vol. 4. His seminal "The Long Tomorrow" ignited Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, with Scott later confessing, "You see it everywhere... you can't get away from it." George Lucas hailed Moebius's "sheer beauty" in designs for Willow, while Hayao Miyazaki, a lifelong friend, credits Arzach's "awesome sense of space" for inspiring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind—echoed in the name of Giraud's own daughter. Visit https://www.moebius.fr/ and https://www.instagram.com/moebius_production/?hl=en

Jeffrey Morris is a writer, director, and founder of FutureDude Entertainment, a production company that blends dazzling creativity with innovative storytelling. His goal … rekindling the human spirit through science fiction. He has produced an amazing documentary entitled THE EAGLE OBSESSION and is here in our Hollywood office as part of his screening tour. We discuss the purpose of the documentary: Reinspire that future that didn’t happen, addressing modern dystopia as a loss of hope after the Apollo program was halted once we walked on the moon. https://eagledocumentary.com/

Steven Heumann spent a decade in screenwriting for television. Novel writing is his second career, to the point of even creating his own publishing house to publish his novels. The storyline of his contemporary sci-fi novel, “Paper Heroes,” is an interesting one. On the surface, Steven presents middle-aged men living out their boyhood superhero dreams. However, underneath, he addresses ethical issues that can be safely discussed through SF&F, such as whether the end justifies the means, and the consequences of violating the basic agreements of mutual trust and honesty between marriage partners. Learn more at https://stevenheumannauthor.com/

Becca Lee Gardner is one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet! In this episode, she shares her origin story of the Dragon Champion series, born from the ritual of bedtime tales spun for her children. This is the first time writing children’s books has been discussed on this podcast. We also cover how one deals with force and conflict in books written for children ages 5-12. It is quite different than adult books – which she also writes. Learn more about Becca at https:beccaleeg.com/

Matthew Wolf is the creator of the epic adventure-fantasy series The Ronin Saga. He is releasing the fifth book in the series, “Heart of Flesh.” In this episode, we explore how he transforms myth into vivid reality, with the Ronin—a once-legendary team of nine, each with specific powers—now returning over a thousand years later. Each volume introduces another of the Ronin as the series progresses. His introduction of the nine dragons in this fifth volume adds rich depth and sets the stage for an epic good-versus-evil showdown. Matthew discusses his secrets for crafting compelling novel arcs that seamlessly contribute to the overarching story, revealing his approach to pacing that keeps readers hooked. We also discuss the Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contests and the impact of past masters, such as L. Ron Hubbard, as inspiration for authors like Matthew. Follow Matthew at www.matthewwolfauthor.com.

In this episode, we dive into the world of artificial intelligence with Stone Sanchez, the publisher of Spare Oom Press and a passionate computer geek. Stone is not only a technologist but also an avid reader, writer, and musician. Join us as we explore the growing influence of computer intelligence and its implications for creatives. Stone shares his insights on the threats AI poses to writers and artists and offers practical solutions to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Craig Miller, the first Director of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm Ltd., played a pivotal role during the creation of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. As a publicist, writer, producer, and innovator, Craig crafted groundbreaking ways to engage and grow the Star Wars fanbase, helping cement its place as a cultural phenomenon. Beyond Star Wars, Craig has been a key figure in the Writers of the Future contest since its inception, and he shares insights from its early days. We also discuss Craig’s book, Star Wars Memories: My Time in the (Death Star) Trenches, a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories from his time in the Star Wars universe. From accidental mishaps to industry-defining moments, Craig’s tales are as entertaining as they are revealing. In this episode, we explore: 1. How Craig landed the dream job of Director of Fan Relations for Star Wars. 2. The scope of his role and what it meant to be the bridge between Lucasfilm and its passionate fans. 3. His favorite interviews with Star Wars legends like Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. 4. Memorable filming locations and what made them stand out. 5. The hilarious and chaotic story of how Craig accidentally shut down the state of Illinois’ telephone system. 6. The epic saga of Kenner vs. Hasbro and the licensing misstep that rivals publishers rejecting Harry Potter. 7. The impact and legacy of the Star Wars comics.

With her thought-provoking novels, Nancy Kress, acclaimed science fiction author and winner of six Nebulas, two Hugos, a Sturgeon, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, blends cutting-edge science with profound human questions. In this episode, we dive into her celebrated works, starting with “Beggars in Spain,” a gripping exploration of bioengineering, and “Tomorrow’s Kin,” where complex scientific concepts challenge readers to expand their vocabulary and imagination. We discuss how Nancy masterfully weaves real science into her narratives, her approach to tackling humanity’s response to intelligent extraterrestrial life, and the craft of writing compelling science fiction that resonates with both heart and mind. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her work, this episode offers a fascinating look at what it takes to create authentic, thought-provoking sci-fi. https://nancykress.com/ PHOTO CREDIT: MARY GRACE LONG

Today’s guest is Wulf Moon, who many of you already know from any of our past three interviews since he was on as a Writer winner in Volume 35 back in 2019 with his short story “Super Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler.” Wulf Moon won his first writing award at the age of 15 and has now won over 60 awards in writing and 30 in public speaking. He remains one the biggest supporters and promoters of Writers of the Future. As you can deduce from the title of this episode, we discuss tools you can use to raise the bar of your storytelling to new lofty heights. You can find him at https://driftweave.com/

How do you weave short stories into a cohesive novel? In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back award-winning author Martin L. Shoemaker, a “Writers of the Future Volume 31” winner, to discuss his latest novel, “A Fine and Dangerous Season.” Martin shares his unique process of transforming a series of short stories, all written in October 2023, into a gripping, interconnected narrative. From his early success with “Unrefined” to co-authoring “How to Be a Dictator” with Kevin J. Anderson and his novel “Today I Am Carey,” Martin’s fourth appearance on our podcast dives deep into the art of storytelling. Learn practical techniques for blending short-form fiction into a novel-length masterpiece and get inspired by his creative journey. Learn more at https://shoemaker.space/.

Join us as Nev March, the first Indian-born winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America Award for a First Crime Novel and 2024 NY Chapter chair, shares her journey into murder mystery. A departure from our usual SF&F, we explore new genres, as top authors recommend reading broadly.