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L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future XXIII
Contents
Introduction (Writers of the Future Volume XXIII) • essay by Algis Budrys
Primetime • by Douglas Texter; interior artwork by Randall Ensley
The Sun God at Dawn, Rising from a Lotus Blossom • by Andrea Kail; interior artwork by Yuliya Kostyuk
The Frozen Sky • by Jeff Carlson; interior artwork by Bogdan Stetsenko
Art and Communication • essay by L. Ron Hubbard
The Stone Cipher • by Tony Pi; interior artwork by Lars Edwards
Obsidian Shards • by Aliette de Bodard; interior artwork by Marcus Collins
Ripping Carovella • by K. J. Zimring [as by Kim Zimring]; interior artwork by Artem Mirolevich
If Only I Had the Time • essay by Kevin J. Anderson
Our Last Words • by Damon Kaswell; interior artwork by Amelia Mammoliti
Saturn in G Minor • by Stephen Kotowych; interior artwork by Randall Ensley
By the Waters of the Ganga • by Stephen Gaskell; interior artwork by Artem Mirolevich
Pilgrimage • by Karl Bunker; interior artwork by Peter Town
Here's the Thing • essay by Judith Miller
The Gas Drinkers • by Edward Sevcik; interior artwork by Geir Lanesskog
The Phlogiston Age • by Corey Brown; interior artwork by Bryan Beus
Mask Glass Magic • by John Burridge; interior artwork by Lorraine Schleter
The Year in the Contests (Writers of the Future Volume XXIII) • essay by Algis Budrys
Contest Information (Writers of the Future Volume XXIII) • unattributed essay
Introduction (Writers of the Future Volume XXIII) • essay by Algis Budrys
Primetime • by Douglas Texter; interior artwork by Randall Ensley
The Sun God at Dawn, Rising from a Lotus Blossom • by Andrea Kail; interior artwork by Yuliya Kostyuk
The Frozen Sky • by Jeff Carlson; interior artwork by Bogdan Stetsenko
Art and Communication • essay by L. Ron Hubbard
The Stone Cipher • by Tony Pi; interior artwork by Lars Edwards
Obsidian Shards • by Aliette de Bodard; interior artwork by Marcus Collins
Ripping Carovella • by K. J. Zimring [as by Kim Zimring]; interior artwork by Artem Mirolevich
If Only I Had the Time • essay by Kevin J. Anderson
Our Last Words • by Damon Kaswell; interior artwork by Amelia Mammoliti
Saturn in G Minor • by Stephen Kotowych; interior artwork by Randall Ensley
By the Waters of the Ganga • by Stephen Gaskell; interior artwork by Artem Mirolevich
Pilgrimage • by Karl Bunker; interior artwork by Peter Town
Here's the Thing • essay by Judith Miller
The Gas Drinkers • by Edward Sevcik; interior artwork by Geir Lanesskog
The Phlogiston Age • by Corey Brown; interior artwork by Bryan Beus
Mask Glass Magic • by John Burridge; interior artwork by Lorraine Schleter
The Year in the Contests (Writers of the Future Volume XXIII) • essay by Algis Budrys
Contest Information (Writers of the Future Volume XXIII) • unattributed essay
529 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2007
2 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Algis Budrys
362 books70 followersAlgis Budrys was a Lithuanian-American science fiction author, editor, and critic. He was also known under the pen names Frank Mason, Alger Rome, John A. Sentry, William Scarff, Paul Janvier, and Sam & Janet Argo.
Called "AJ" by friends, Budrys was born Algirdas Jonas Budrys in Königsberg in East Prussia. He was the son of the consul general of the Lithuanian government, (the pre-World War II government still recognized after the war by the United States, even though the Soviet-sponsored government was in power throughout most of Budrys's life). His family was sent to the United States by the Lithuanian government in 1936 when Budrys was 5 years old. During most of his adult life, he held a captain's commission in the Free Lithuanian Army.
Budrys was educated at the University of Miami, and later at Columbia University in New York. His first published science fiction story was The High Purpose, which appeared in Astounding Science Fiction in 1952. Beginning in 1952 Budrys worked as editor and manager for such science fiction publishers as Gnome Press and Galaxy Science Fiction. Some of his science fiction in the 1950s was published under the pen name "John A. Sentry", a reconfigured Anglification of his Lithuanian name. Among his other pseudonyms in the SF magazines of the 1950s and elsewhere, several revived as bylines for vignettes in his magazine Tomorrow Speculative Fiction, is "William Scarff". He also wrote several stories under the names "Ivan Janvier" or "Paul Janvier." He also used the pen name "Alger Rome" in his collaborations with Jerome Bixby.
Budrys's 1960 novella Rogue Moon was nominated for a Hugo Award, and was later anthologized in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume Two (1973). His Cold War science fiction novel Who? was adapted for the screen in 1973. In addition to numerous Hugo Award and Nebula Award nominations, Budrys won the Science Fiction Research Association's 2007 Pilgrim Award for lifetime contributions to speculative fiction scholarship. In 2009, he was the recipient of one of the first three Solstice Awards presented by the SFWA in recognition of his contributions to the field of science fiction.
Budrys was married to Edna Duna; they had four sons. He last resided in Evanston, Illinois. He died at home, from metastatic malignant melanoma on June 9, 2008.
Called "AJ" by friends, Budrys was born Algirdas Jonas Budrys in Königsberg in East Prussia. He was the son of the consul general of the Lithuanian government, (the pre-World War II government still recognized after the war by the United States, even though the Soviet-sponsored government was in power throughout most of Budrys's life). His family was sent to the United States by the Lithuanian government in 1936 when Budrys was 5 years old. During most of his adult life, he held a captain's commission in the Free Lithuanian Army.
Budrys was educated at the University of Miami, and later at Columbia University in New York. His first published science fiction story was The High Purpose, which appeared in Astounding Science Fiction in 1952. Beginning in 1952 Budrys worked as editor and manager for such science fiction publishers as Gnome Press and Galaxy Science Fiction. Some of his science fiction in the 1950s was published under the pen name "John A. Sentry", a reconfigured Anglification of his Lithuanian name. Among his other pseudonyms in the SF magazines of the 1950s and elsewhere, several revived as bylines for vignettes in his magazine Tomorrow Speculative Fiction, is "William Scarff". He also wrote several stories under the names "Ivan Janvier" or "Paul Janvier." He also used the pen name "Alger Rome" in his collaborations with Jerome Bixby.
Budrys's 1960 novella Rogue Moon was nominated for a Hugo Award, and was later anthologized in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume Two (1973). His Cold War science fiction novel Who? was adapted for the screen in 1973. In addition to numerous Hugo Award and Nebula Award nominations, Budrys won the Science Fiction Research Association's 2007 Pilgrim Award for lifetime contributions to speculative fiction scholarship. In 2009, he was the recipient of one of the first three Solstice Awards presented by the SFWA in recognition of his contributions to the field of science fiction.
Budrys was married to Edna Duna; they had four sons. He last resided in Evanston, Illinois. He died at home, from metastatic malignant melanoma on June 9, 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 9, 2009
Some very intriguing, interesting, entertaining and question-posing stories populate this anthology, although I did find a few to be lacking. It is my belief, even though I enjoy fantasy writing quite immensely, that the stories in the "Writers of the FUTURE" anthologies should be limited to science fiction writing, not both. Even if the fantasy style tale is simply set on some distant planet, or far in the future, or with a blend of magic and technology, SOMETHING should set it as science fiction and not just fantasy. But this is my own opinion.
Many of the authors are very talented in this anthology and some even give hope to my own meager writing that I might one day find myself within the pages of the hallowed collection.
Many of the authors are very talented in this anthology and some even give hope to my own meager writing that I might one day find myself within the pages of the hallowed collection.
August 29, 2023
These stories were so good, I couldn’t put this book down, and so I didn’t take any breaks and finished this anthology in a whole day. These stories were mostly written in 2006, and published in 2007, and in them you can see the trends of early 2010s speculative fiction. These stories are mostly bereft of political bias beyond in-story political system, mostly free of genre-blending, and mostly amazing.
The best stories written by contest winners are Ripping Carovella, about a world where authors can get their creativity stolen and sold to the richest buyers, and Obsidian Shards, an Aztec mystery written by Aliette de Bodard. When I was reading Obsidian Shards, I was sucked into the world and the Aztec mode of thinking, and was beginning to lose myself in the society de Bodard depicted. So awesome.
The best stories written by contest winners are Ripping Carovella, about a world where authors can get their creativity stolen and sold to the richest buyers, and Obsidian Shards, an Aztec mystery written by Aliette de Bodard. When I was reading Obsidian Shards, I was sucked into the world and the Aztec mode of thinking, and was beginning to lose myself in the society de Bodard depicted. So awesome.
September 15, 2019
Such a variety of stories. Some I had to force myself through. One or two made me wish for more. Still one or two were hardly worthy of the name sci-fi in my book. Still all showed talent and ability which is what matters.
August 14, 2014
So to contradict my humorous update the other day, I really enjoyed this collection of stories. For those of you who did not get my humor and may have even taken it seriously, all I can say is that I am very disappointed in you. You are why we can't have nice internet things. Anyways, enough public castigation!
After reading several novels I find short stories refreshing. It's why I subscribe to a sci-fi magazine and why I keep one or two in my queue. There are aspects to short stories that a novel lacks, such things are features of the two forms of written media. The novel allows for greater complexity, while the short story can be more pointed in its simplicity and brevity. A novel might attempt such pointedness, but without care such points can appear preachy and repetitive.
I enjoyed most of these stories, and though I was less impressed with one or two, none were in any way a result of poor writing. Perhaps I didn't see eye-to-eye with an author in some things, or perhaps I didn't share an author's particular worldview or dismissal of certain worldviews.
Of my favorites in this book:
"The Sun God at Down, Rising from a Lotus Blossom" by Andrea Kail is written as correspondence from what we are to gather is a clone of Tutahnkamen to a clone of Abraham Lincoln. It's fascinating, well written, and through the protagonist's eyes we get glimpses of how the world might react to such beings made for exhibition.
"By the Waters of the Ganga" by Stephen Gaskell does the amazing: It weds science almost seamlessly with religion. The religion in question is Hinduism, and the story is fascinating and held my attention throughout. The struggle of the protagonist, dealing with identity, memory, and the cycle of life was inspired.
"The Gas Drinkers" by Edward Sevcik on the other hand, had a bit of a pulp fiction feel to it. There was risk, twists and turns, a third person narration that turns to first person -- and a strange antagonist that is a creation of science and isolation. This one is worth reading several times.
Overall this book is worth it. While you read novels and large works of non-fiction, don't overlook the short stories. Grab a book like this. It's highly worth it.
After reading several novels I find short stories refreshing. It's why I subscribe to a sci-fi magazine and why I keep one or two in my queue. There are aspects to short stories that a novel lacks, such things are features of the two forms of written media. The novel allows for greater complexity, while the short story can be more pointed in its simplicity and brevity. A novel might attempt such pointedness, but without care such points can appear preachy and repetitive.
I enjoyed most of these stories, and though I was less impressed with one or two, none were in any way a result of poor writing. Perhaps I didn't see eye-to-eye with an author in some things, or perhaps I didn't share an author's particular worldview or dismissal of certain worldviews.
Of my favorites in this book:
"The Sun God at Down, Rising from a Lotus Blossom" by Andrea Kail is written as correspondence from what we are to gather is a clone of Tutahnkamen to a clone of Abraham Lincoln. It's fascinating, well written, and through the protagonist's eyes we get glimpses of how the world might react to such beings made for exhibition.
"By the Waters of the Ganga" by Stephen Gaskell does the amazing: It weds science almost seamlessly with religion. The religion in question is Hinduism, and the story is fascinating and held my attention throughout. The struggle of the protagonist, dealing with identity, memory, and the cycle of life was inspired.
"The Gas Drinkers" by Edward Sevcik on the other hand, had a bit of a pulp fiction feel to it. There was risk, twists and turns, a third person narration that turns to first person -- and a strange antagonist that is a creation of science and isolation. This one is worth reading several times.
Overall this book is worth it. While you read novels and large works of non-fiction, don't overlook the short stories. Grab a book like this. It's highly worth it.
August 30, 2011
As with any collection of short stories, some will be to your liking, while others will go beyond your preference. Read it yourself and figure out which you like.
The Sun God at Dawn - A correspondence between a cloned King Tut and Abe Lincoln
Saturn in G Minor - A student goes to visit a recluse composing the symphony of the century. Does require some knowledge of music to understand.
Primetime - Time traveling reporters document major events from earth's past. And the event of a lifetime, Hiroshima, has been opened up for viewing!
Pilgrimage - A man vs. nature style, where a veritable god finds himself without powers, alone on a wild planet. I personally liked the setting most in this one.
The Phlogiston Age - An alternate history/steampunk set at the dawn of the first rocket to be shot into space using phlogiston. Edison's modern power company doesn't like it very much.
The Waters of the Ganga - An alien finds himself reincarnated into the body of a human, and has to discover just how to find his way home.
Ripping Carovella - A dystopian sketch into a world where rippers can "rip" the creativity parts out of your brain, and sell them to the rich.
Our Last Words - A man who has lost everything agrees to take part in a scientific experiment. A one way trip forward in time, to the end of eternity.
Obsidian Shards - A worthy entry into non-medieval Europe fantasy. A priest of the Dead in a fantasy Aztec culture tries to hunt down a murderer.
The stone Cipher - Sort of an urban-fantasy Da Vinci Code. All the statues in the world are counting down. Why are they doing this? And what happens?
The Frozen Sky - A First Contact story, where the humans discover primitive life on our solar system. And it isn't terribly social.
Mask Glass Magic - An urban fantasy following a glass-worker who finds her new boss isn't in the business just for the money.
The Gas Drinkers - A good sci-fi tale for those who love the gritty scientific details.
The Sun God at Dawn - A correspondence between a cloned King Tut and Abe Lincoln
Saturn in G Minor - A student goes to visit a recluse composing the symphony of the century. Does require some knowledge of music to understand.
Primetime - Time traveling reporters document major events from earth's past. And the event of a lifetime, Hiroshima, has been opened up for viewing!
Pilgrimage - A man vs. nature style, where a veritable god finds himself without powers, alone on a wild planet. I personally liked the setting most in this one.
The Phlogiston Age - An alternate history/steampunk set at the dawn of the first rocket to be shot into space using phlogiston. Edison's modern power company doesn't like it very much.
The Waters of the Ganga - An alien finds himself reincarnated into the body of a human, and has to discover just how to find his way home.
Ripping Carovella - A dystopian sketch into a world where rippers can "rip" the creativity parts out of your brain, and sell them to the rich.
Our Last Words - A man who has lost everything agrees to take part in a scientific experiment. A one way trip forward in time, to the end of eternity.
Obsidian Shards - A worthy entry into non-medieval Europe fantasy. A priest of the Dead in a fantasy Aztec culture tries to hunt down a murderer.
The stone Cipher - Sort of an urban-fantasy Da Vinci Code. All the statues in the world are counting down. Why are they doing this? And what happens?
The Frozen Sky - A First Contact story, where the humans discover primitive life on our solar system. And it isn't terribly social.
Mask Glass Magic - An urban fantasy following a glass-worker who finds her new boss isn't in the business just for the money.
The Gas Drinkers - A good sci-fi tale for those who love the gritty scientific details.
June 13, 2009
Primetime (****)
A rather fascinating premise.
The Sun God at Dawn, Rising from a Lotus Blossom (****)
I hadn't expected to like it, but the message of choice appeals to me.
The Frozen Sky (*)
I spaced out on this one.
The Stone Cipher (****)
It's a sort of SF version of a thriller about ancient and archeological artifacts.
Obsidian Shards (*)
There's a question mark next to this title in my book. It's a fantasy piece that desperate wants a novel of it's own.
Ripping Carovella (***)
How art would one, and should one go for art?
Our Last Words (*****)
A man is sent forward through time by the government to learn if nuclear war is inevitable. The ending nearly made me cry.
Saturn in G Minor (***)
Another one with an interesting premise, though the causes of the underlying tension is pretty darn easy to guess. Music talk went over my head.
By the Waters of ganga (**)
Alein life form gets reincarnated as man in Hindu-Indian lands.
Pilgrimage (**)
Galatic immortal learns what it's like to be mortal and be, dare I say it? Human.
The Gas Drinkers (****)
This story took a while to really get good.
The Phlogiston Age (*)
In alternate world where man never discovered fire until recently, a man tries to blow up the first fire-powered rocket (the first fire-powered machine, period. ). The premise might have been interested - what would a world without fire have been like, is it even possible - but the focus shifted to the MC's unrequited love for the first astronaut (a woman).
Mask Glass Magic (**)
Glassblower seeks job, ends up working with Gods? =/
A rather fascinating premise.
The Sun God at Dawn, Rising from a Lotus Blossom (****)
I hadn't expected to like it, but the message of choice appeals to me.
The Frozen Sky (*)
I spaced out on this one.
The Stone Cipher (****)
It's a sort of SF version of a thriller about ancient and archeological artifacts.
Obsidian Shards (*)
There's a question mark next to this title in my book. It's a fantasy piece that desperate wants a novel of it's own.
Ripping Carovella (***)
How art would one, and should one go for art?
Our Last Words (*****)
A man is sent forward through time by the government to learn if nuclear war is inevitable. The ending nearly made me cry.
Saturn in G Minor (***)
Another one with an interesting premise, though the causes of the underlying tension is pretty darn easy to guess. Music talk went over my head.
By the Waters of ganga (**)
Alein life form gets reincarnated as man in Hindu-Indian lands.
Pilgrimage (**)
Galatic immortal learns what it's like to be mortal and be, dare I say it? Human.
The Gas Drinkers (****)
This story took a while to really get good.
The Phlogiston Age (*)
In alternate world where man never discovered fire until recently, a man tries to blow up the first fire-powered rocket (the first fire-powered machine, period. ). The premise might have been interested - what would a world without fire have been like, is it even possible - but the focus shifted to the MC's unrequited love for the first astronaut (a woman).
Mask Glass Magic (**)
Glassblower seeks job, ends up working with Gods? =/
July 13, 2013
This is a solid collection of winning entries from the annual contest for amateur sci-fi authors. A few of the stories contained some eye-raising plot gaffes or could have benefitted from an editor. But most feature really strong writing. I'm surprised that some of the authors haven't gone on to steadier writing careers.
The stories are a mix of genres, with about half true sci-fi, a few fantasy, a couple of time travel stories and one alternate history. Two of them seem to have originated from the same oddly specific writing prompt: "write a story about a groundbreaking artistic performance that takes the life of the artist, and is witnessed by the artist's child".
As usual, there are a few essays with advice from professionals for aspiring amateurs. The contrast between the attitudes of the mentor author and illustrator is dramatic: Kevin J. Anderson writes a sarcastic and snobby little rant insulting many would-be authors, while Judith Miller provides some spirited advice for would-be artists that is genuinely inspiring. Both have essentially the same message (you must dedicate yourself to your art, not dabble half-heartedly), but are delivered in very different ways.
The stories are a mix of genres, with about half true sci-fi, a few fantasy, a couple of time travel stories and one alternate history. Two of them seem to have originated from the same oddly specific writing prompt: "write a story about a groundbreaking artistic performance that takes the life of the artist, and is witnessed by the artist's child".
As usual, there are a few essays with advice from professionals for aspiring amateurs. The contrast between the attitudes of the mentor author and illustrator is dramatic: Kevin J. Anderson writes a sarcastic and snobby little rant insulting many would-be authors, while Judith Miller provides some spirited advice for would-be artists that is genuinely inspiring. Both have essentially the same message (you must dedicate yourself to your art, not dabble half-heartedly), but are delivered in very different ways.
August 6, 2014
Short story collections can be a mixed bag, especially coming from multiple authors. The Writers of the Future contest delivers quality works remarkably consistently. I found some stories in this volume stronger than others, as always, but it's more a matter of personal preference than any lack in the writing. There were none here I regret reading, and some of the authors I will definitely be looking up in hopes they've published more in the years since the release of this book.
May 13, 2008
There were some great stories in here. Definitely humbling. However, there were a couple that I didn't like and thought I could have done better - so there is hope ;-)
I may come back and review each story individually, but for now I'm going to say that I recommend reading these stories!
I may come back and review each story individually, but for now I'm going to say that I recommend reading these stories!
February 12, 2009
The stories I liked: The Stone Cipher, Our Last Words. The Stone Cipher, though I felt it shorts Marie-Claire's character a bit, it's clever. Our Last Words is a Time Machine derivative, short and sweet, but a good take on an old story.
May 9, 2011
My brother, upon seeing the book, "Is it about Scientology?"
Hah!
It's a pretty good anthology tho as far as sci-fi ones are concerned. Of course there was one entry by L. Ron smacking of Scientology, but the other essays by well-known authors, editors and artists were well thought out.
Hah!
It's a pretty good anthology tho as far as sci-fi ones are concerned. Of course there was one entry by L. Ron smacking of Scientology, but the other essays by well-known authors, editors and artists were well thought out.
May 29, 2013
I loved all these stories! It is several short stories by writers who have never sold anything before, and that won a monthly contest.
My favorite was "Planetary Scouts". I think it would make a great TV series! Hope all these writers manage to sell more stuff and do some longer novels.
My favorite was "Planetary Scouts". I think it would make a great TV series! Hope all these writers manage to sell more stuff and do some longer novels.
August 29, 2015
I couldn't get into the illustrations, but the wide variety of types of stories was pretty impressive. From the dark-edged 'Ripping Carovella' to the great ideas contained in 'By the Waters of the Ganga' and the epic scale of 'Pilgrimage', it led to a lot of new thinking for me.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews