Writers and Illustrators of the Future

08/24/2026

🎙 Episode 394: Kellen Cutsforth — The Western as America’s Gift to Literature 🤠📚

Fact meets legend. Kellen Cutsforth, Executive Director of Western Writers of America, joins the podcast to uncover the real history behind the American West—from the O.K. Corral to Buffalo Bill Cody and his worldwide influence.

And for writers, there’s big news: the Spur Awards now include Alternative Westerns, opening the door to speculative fiction, weird Westerns, sci-fi mashups, and more.

🎧 Listen now → bit.ly/WOTFpod394

08/24/2026

🏆 The Golden Brush Goes to Bafu! From Slovakia to the winners stage in Hollywood.

Illustrators of the Future winner Bafu took home the Volume 42 Golden Brush Award and $5,000 Grand Prize for his illustration of “Saffron and Marigolds” by Kathleen Powell.

One unforgettable moment.

🎨 Discover the winning art and stories → bit.ly/WOTF42outlets
✨ Enter the Contest → bit.ly/WOTFcontest

08/24/2026

Submitted art by published contest winner Karah Richardson

🎨 Best New Sci-Fi & Fantasy Artists — 2026 Contest Article Featuring All Winning Art

👉 Read the article →bit.ly/BestNewSci-Fi_FantasyArtists

Meet the visionary artists of L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42—the next generation of visual storytellers shaping the future of speculative art. From globally selected winners to internationally renowned judges, the Illustrators of the Future Contest continues its 37-year legacy of discovering and mentoring extraordinary talent.

✨ Explore the artists. Discover their journeys. See the future of sci-fi & fantasy illustration come to life.

08/23/2026

Submitted art by published contest winner Haotian Allen Zhan

🎨 Best New Sci-Fi & Fantasy Artists — 2026 Contest Article Featuring All Winning Art

👉 Read the article →bit.ly/BestNewSci-Fi_FantasyArtists

Meet the visionary artists of L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42—the next generation of visual storytellers shaping the future of speculative art. From globally selected winners to internationally renowned judges, the Illustrators of the Future Contest continues its 37-year legacy of discovering and mentoring extraordinary talent.

✨ Explore the artists. Discover their journeys. See the future of sci-fi & fantasy illustration come to life.

08/23/2026

🏆 Million Podcasts’ #1 Fiction Writing Podcast in the US! 🎙️📚

The Writers of the Future Podcast is ranked #1 on Million Podcasts’ “Best 47 Fiction Writing Podcasts in the US” list, dated August 22, 2026.

Nearly 400 episodes strong, the podcast brings you bestselling authors, award-winning writers and artists, publishing professionals, Contest judges and winners, and practical advice to help creatives succeed.

Thank you to our guests—and especially to everyone who listens each week!

🎧 Discover the podcast → bit.ly/WOTFpodcast

08/22/2026

🎙 Episode 393: Johnny D. Boggs — The Most Award-Winning Western Author 🤠📚

Ten Spur Awards. Johnny D. Boggs, author of more than 50 novels, joins the podcast to talk about his remarkable career and what it takes to write a great Western.

Recorded at the Western Writers of America Conference, we discuss his acclaimed novel Northfield, his creative process, and why stories of the American frontier still connect with readers around the world.

🎧 Listen now → bit.ly/WOTFpod393

Listen to Western author Johnny D. Boggs discuss his journey to becoming the most award-winning author at the Western Writers of America Conference in St. Louis, MO.

08/22/2026

Submitted art by published contest winner Tray Streeter

🎨 Best New Sci-Fi & Fantasy Artists — 2026 Contest Article Featuring All Winning Art

👉 Read the article →bit.ly/BestNewSci-Fi_FantasyArtists

Meet the visionary artists of L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42—the next generation of visual storytellers shaping the future of speculative art. From globally selected winners to internationally renowned judges, the Illustrators of the Future Contest continues its 37-year legacy of discovering and mentoring extraordinary talent.

✨ Explore the artists. Discover their journeys. See the future of sci-fi & fantasy illustration come to life.

08/21/2026

🌍 I Couldn’t Believe I’d Won

Illustrators of the Future winner Bafu traveled from Slovakia farther than he ever had before—and found himself standing on the winners stage in Hollywood.

Surreal. Inspiring.

He calls it one of the most fulfilling and unforgettable weeks of his life.

✨ Enter the Contest → bit.ly/WOTFcontest
🎨 Discover Volume 42 → bit.ly/WOTF42outlets

08/21/2026

Submitted art by published contest winner Josie Moore

🎨 Best New Sci-Fi & Fantasy Artists — 2026 Contest Article Featuring All Winning Art

👉 Read the article →bit.ly/BestNewSci-Fi_FantasyArtists

Meet the visionary artists of L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42—the next generation of visual storytellers shaping the future of speculative art. From globally selected winners to internationally renowned judges, the Illustrators of the Future Contest continues its 37-year legacy of discovering and mentoring extraordinary talent.

✨ Explore the artists. Discover their journeys. See the future of sci-fi & fantasy illustration come to life.