Writers of the Future Podcast

Prolific Western author Mark Greathouse discusses his extensive writing journey and his novel "Lone Star Vigilante." Greathouse shares how deep family roots in Texas—dating back to his ancestors' immigration from Ireland in 1845—heavily inspired his fictional protagonist, Luke Dunn Jr., a newly minted Texas Ranger navigating historical mysteries on the rugged frontier. The conversation explores the nuanced differences between writing young adult and adult Western fiction, emphasizing that a great narrative relies entirely on a strong, gripping story rather than gratuitous elements. Greathouse also opens up about his intuitive writing style, his aversion to writer's block, and the incredible role...

Host John Goodwin sits down with prolific author, illustrator, and Stokerverse co-creator Chris McAuley to dive deep into the psychology of dark fantasy and horror. McAuley discusses his path from growing up as an avid science fiction reader in Northern Ireland to working as an illustrator for Marvel and DC, and eventually being mentored by 2000 AD creator Pat Mills. The conversation focuses on McAuley's novella, Renfield: Origins of Madness, which was developed with the support of Bram Stoker’s family using original notes and cut pages from the classic 1897 novel. McAuley shares his unique perspectives on why audiences are drawn to...

USA Today bestselling author Lucy McConnell (center) and co-author Erica Penrod (left) at FanX in Salt Lake City's Salt Palace Convention Center on the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast. Dressed in authentic Western attire, the duo shares their inspiring journeys into fiction writing, balancing large family dynamics with their passion for storytelling, and their unique creative harmony as co-authors. The conversation focuses heavily on their contemporary series, Leather and Lies, set on the fictional Gritstone Ranch. The authors explain how they engineered a unique "epic Western" concept by adapting a fantasy-style magic system driven by three core pillars...

Host John Goodwin celebrates the landmark 400th episode of the podcast in Salt Lake City at Fan X with dynamic father-son writing team Dan and Robert Zangari. Together, they are the creative minds behind the epic fantasy universe Legends of Calda and the founders of LOK Publishing. In this session, Dan shares how his background as an aerospace engineer initially led him to map-making and storytelling as a creative mental escape. Robert details his own evolution into a meticulous, detail-oriented writer, drawing from early childhood memories of his father’s world-building to later refining those original maps from a professional ca...

Legendary convention planner Ben Yalow explores the fascinating history, evolution, and cultural impact of science fiction and fantasy fandom on the Writers of the Future Podcast. Ben shares his incredible origin story, detailing how legendary editor John W. Campbell personally dragged him into fandom at a New York convention in 1971. The conversation dives into the definition of fandom, tracking its roots back to the reader letter columns of 1926 and the earliest conventions of the late 1930s. Ben addresses the perceived divide between classic literary sci-fi conventions and massive modern pop-culture events like DragonCon, arguing that the community exists on a...

Multi-genre Canadian author, emergency room physician, and past winner from Volume 16, Dr. Melissa shares her incredible journey of balancing a demanding medical career and family life while publishing over 25 novels. Melissa dives deep into her creative process behind her medical crime series starring Dr. Hope Sze. She details her latest release, Killing Me Slothily, which brilliantly weaves the medical realities of a hospital emergency room with the dark supernatural terror of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos. Listeners will get an inside look at how she utilizes real-world medical research, practical tools for overcoming low-productivity seasons, and advice from mentors li...

Discover how independent authors can navigate the massive hurdle of book discoverability in today's crowded market. In this episode, industry veteran Kimberly Fakih, a professional book reviewer with decades of experience at top trade publications like Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, and School Library Journal, discusses the critical roadblocks indie authors face and why traditional gatekeeping limits new voices. Kimberly introduces her new initiative, Open Shelf Reviews, a service specifically designed to decentralize publishing control and put self-published authors, small presses, and illustrators back on the map. She explains how modern library acquisition policies strictly rely on trade reviews to...

Award-winning hard science fiction author and Volume 28 Contest winner William Ledbetter discusses his journey from the aerospace defense industry to becoming a celebrated storyteller. Ledbetter shares how his real-world work on aircraft and the International Space Station fueled his passion for space-based narratives, eventually leading to his Nebula Award-winning novelette The Long Fall Up and his gripping, AI-centric Level Five trilogy. The conversation explores the chilling, near-future realities of generative artificial intelligence, the intersection of human ego and technology, and the delicate process of blending factual science with creative fiction. Finally, Ledbetter shares his essential advice on patience, consistency, and bui...

In this episode of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast, host John Goodwin interviews public historian, editor, and author Stuart Rosebrook live from the Western Writers of America Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Recently inducted as the president of the Western Writers of America and serving as Editor at Large for True West Magazine, Stuart shares indispensable industry insights gathered across decades of print media and historical research. The conversation addresses the biggest hurdle facing modern authors: discoverability. Stuart breaks down how authors must remain nimble by finding multiple ways to pitch a single story, utilizing Amazon’s ca...

What happens when you look past Hollywood mythology to uncover the true history of the American frontier? In this episode of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast recorded on-site at the WWA Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, historical author, archivist, and Executive Director of the Western Writers of America (WWA), Kellen Cutsforth, dives deep into the realities behind famous historical icons, from the true setting of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral to Buffalo Bill Cody’s massive impact on global culture. Cutsforth shares his personal journey as an archivist, discussing how true history can read wi...

In this episode, Johnny D. Boggs, author of over 50 novels, discusses his writing career from the Western Writers of America Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Praised as one of the best Western writers at work today, Boggs holds a record ten Spur Awards, the highest honor in the Western genre and making him the most award-winning Western author. The conversation dives deep into Boggs' acclaimed novel, Northfield, alongside a broader look at his prolific journey as a storyteller. From his early days growing up in South Carolina on the tail end of the television Western craze to becoming a master...

Ted Olczak, president of Printed Word Reviews, offers invaluable insights into the competitive world of independent publishing. The discussion dives into the strategic importance of literary awards and book reviews. Ted shares expert guidance on navigating programs like the Independent Press Award and the New York City Book Award. Listeners will learn how these accolades can significantly boost an author's visibility and credibility. Additionally, the episode covers the crucial role that professional book reviews play in a book's marketing. Whether you are an aspiring writer or an established indie author, this conversation provides actionable tips to help your work stand...

From Power Rangers to bestselling novels, Neo Edmund shares how he overcame Hollywood development hell, built a writing career through indie publishing, and proves that compelling story always outweighs perfect prose. Essential listening for aspiring writers and storytellers. In this episide we discuss his first novel, "A Tale of Red Riding: Rise of the Alpha Huntress" which inspired the podcast topic. Learn more at www.neoedmund.com

Alex Shvartsman’s newest release, “The Best of All Possible Planets,” reads as a homage to Voltaire’s “Candide,” a satire of philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, invoked whenever characters face horrific events to highlight the absurdity of ignoring reality in favor of blind optimism. "All for the best in the best of all possible worlds." We also discuss Mission Earth Volume One, and Alex sees the Voltar confederacy as named after Voltaire, who L. Ron Hubbard considered a master of satire in the introduction to Mission Earth. We discuss Alex’s allure to satire, how he writes, and the social value of the s...

Owen Cotter is a radio host and on-camera presenter. He has appeared on major media such as ESPN, VH1, SiriusXM, Real Scene TV, and William Shatner’s My Outer Space TV. He is also the owner of SciFiction.com, the Hugo- and Nebula-award-winning SciFi literary project formerly owned by the SyFy Channel. ScyFiction.com showcases geek-chic news, reviews, interviews, events, and articles, and publishes the works of relevant artists and authors, becoming the go-to place for up-to-date news for the SciFi and Fantasy community.

As the Director of IngramSpark, Paige Allen has built the platform into a global print-on-demand and ebook distribution solution for authors who want to self-publish their works and provide hard-copy distribution to its massive network of over 40,000 retailers, libraries, and online stores, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Key features include: • Global Distribution: Reaches major international markets through extensive wholesale networks. • Format Variety: Prints high-quality paperbacks, hardcovers, and diverse trim sizes. • Wholesale Pricing: Allows authors to set standard discounts, making books attractive to physical bookstores. • Free Title Setup: Offers no-fee standard book creation to lower upfront costs. Learn more at www.ingramsp

In this episode, Sarah Bean, Marketing Manager at Book Launchers, discusses the rapidly evolving world of self-publishing and provides quality advice on how to navigate getting your voice heard over the din of other authors wanting to be heard as well. Visit booklaunchers.com and check out what they have to offer for FREE for seven days .

Today’s guest is Illustrators of the Future winner Arthur Haywood. Arthur started as a graffiti muralist and saw his career explode from there. He is a reader who does judge books by their covers and so began sharing his stories through illustration. He is now focused on making book covers, as well as murals for libraries and schools to engage youth in reading. You can see his multi-faceted styles of art at www.arthurhaywood.com/

We are here today in Portland, Oregon, at the Independent Publishers' Booksellers Association conference. During the Independent Book Publishers Association Conference in Portland, OR, Keith Riegert spoke about the changes in the Amazon algorithm and how, given a good book, discoverability is an author’s major challenge. He explained how AI is a tool to solve this. Keith is the president of The Stable Book Group and CEO of Brooklyn-based independent publishing companies, Ulysses Press and VeloPress Books. Keith is also CEO of Perfect Bound Technologies Corporation and a co-founder of the book publicity and digital marketing firm, Pacific & Court. Ke...

Irvin Rodriguez is a visual artist whose work offers a synthesis of painting and drawing, inspired by the European masters and 19th-century painters, paired with the narrative influence and aesthetics of illustration and contemporary art. Rodriguez’s artistic practice spans multiple disciplines, from analog to digital media, resulting in figurative compositions and portraits that communicate individual and collective experiences. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1988, Rodriguez graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Illustration (2010), while simultaneously studying at the Grand Central Atelier (2008–2010), and later at the Art Students League of NY (2013–2016). Since then, Rodriguez has exhibi...

Julie Frost was a winner published in Writers of the Future Volume 32 with her werewolf short story “Cry Havoc.” She has an amazing story of how she won and the value of persistence. She recently published a novella, “Joy Shall Be In Heaven,” which was discussed in this interview. Through the genre of fantasy, she delves into morality, right and wrong, and consequences for one’s actions. Learn more at www.fantasticfiction.com/f/julie-frost/

This podcast was recorded during a lull in Tim Power’s schedule as one of the writing instructors at the Writers of the Future Workshop while the writer winners are busy with their 24-hour story. Tim was last on this podcast in episode #333. He is a three-time world fantasy award winner and is most known for his novels “The Anubis Gates,” “On Stranger Tides,” “Last Call,” and “Declare.” In this episode, we discuss his latest release, and my personal favorite, a dark fantasy, “The Mills of the Gods.” We also discuss his technique in creating his stories, researching some particular aspect of history, and...

Meet Illustrators of the Future winner Roddy Taylor, and Writers of the Future winners Brenda Posey and Thomas K. Slee, and learn their story of how they won the Contest and what it means to their future as creatives.

Meet Writers of the Future winners Mike Strickland, Shaun Stevenson, Michael Kuester, and Illustrators of the Future winners Nathan Deiwert, and Tracy Eire and learn their story of how they won the Contest and what it means to their future as creatives.

Golden Pen Award Winner Michael T. Kuester from Cincinnati, Ohio, with his story “In Living Color,” and Golden Brush Award Winner Bohuslav “Bafu” Argalas from Ruzomberok, Slovakia, with his illustration of the story “Saffron and Marigolds.” Michael is an engineer by day, a science fiction writer by night. An avid hiker and cooking enthusiast, he is a passionately curious individual and lives his life by the motto “In the twenty-first century, there’s no excuse for an unanswered question.” His story, “In Living Color,” evolved into a surprisingly personal allegory for social isolation, generational misunderstanding, and neurodivergence. Bafu began drawing before he learned to r...

Join Stefan Rudnicki, Gabrielle de Cuir, Susan Hanfield, Orson Scott Card, Jim Meskimen, Scott Peterson, most of the cast who voiced “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42,” in this podcast interview talking about what made this project special, why science fiction and fantasy are so important as a genre, and the value of celebrating creativity which is what Writers and Illustrators of the Future are all about. The other cast members were unable to participate due to prior commitments, but their creativity in their role in the audiobook is equally appreciated. The full cast along with stories they...

Ron Clements was the keynote speaker in 2025 for our Writers and Illustrators of the Future Gala. We connected up again at LTUE - Life, the Universe, and Everything Symposium - in Provo, Utah, where we recorded this interview. Ron has been an animation director, screenwriter, and producer for Disney for four decades. Along with co-producer John Muster, he is the creator of Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Moana, Princess and the Frog, and one of my favorites, Pete’s Dragon. In this interview, we discuss his journey to become one of the most successful animated movie producers of today and the pr...

Brandon Mull was a guest on this podcast a few years ago in episode #251. We met when he was the Toastmaster at The Life, the Universe, and Everything Conference, after which he sent me a copy of “Fablehaven,” which became the topic of our first interview. This interview is about his newest release, “Guardians: Forbidden Mountain,” an epic adventure fantasy that can be enjoyed by YA as well as adult readers. He normally takes 6 months to write a novel, but this one took 2 ½ years due to the story’s depth—and the fact that it is the first of a three-novel s...

Charlie Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon best-selling author of over 20 novels. She sent me her book “The Shattered King,” book one of a duology, a dark fantasy with a lot of adventure, and the romance contributes to the fantasy/magic. So, while it is a slow-burn romance—placing it squarely in the romantasy genre—I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adventure with a lot of political intrigue. I was fascinated by her magic, a system in which the main character, Nym, works with a physically broken Prince Renn to heal his "aura" or "soul," thereby healing his body. As...

#1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author Tricia Levenseller was interviewed at the Superstars Writing Conference in Colorado Springs and discusses the various types of romance and specifically romantasy novels and what makes them so popular. NOTE: This was the first romance novel I ever read, which made the interview all the more interesting for me! We discuss her “villain love story,” “The Shadows Between Us,” and how she writes fantasy romance novels. She explained why the villainess-girl lead female character in a romance is so popular with the female audience. Find out more about Tricia at https://tricialevenseller.com

This interview was recorded in Provo, Utah, at the Life the Universe and Everything Symposium, with Elaine Cohen, pen name Elaine Midcoh, Writers of the Future Volume 39 winner, with her story “A Trickle in History.” Elaine’s earlier careers included being a lawyer and a college professor, but she now focuses on her writing. Her short story “On Behalf of Lake Owakeela” was recently published in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, the Fiction Issue, having won the “Write Before Midnight” short fiction contest. It is a story that editor Kim Stanley Robinson commented had “A very knowing and expert feel.” In this interview...

Joshua Essoe is a freelance editor with over a decade of full-time work under his belt. He has edited for bestsellers, Piers Anthony and David Farland, including the multi-award-winning novel, Nightingale. He’s also edited for Dean Lorey, lead writer of Arrested Development, Mark Leslie Lefebvre, former director at Kobo, USA Today bestsellers, Writers of the Future winners, and many other top-notch independents. He was the lead editor at Urban Fantasy Magazine from 2014-2015. From 2012-2015, he recorded the weekly writing podcast Hide and Create with co-hosts Michael J. Sullivan, Diana Rowland, Jay Wells, and Debbie Viguie. You can find Jo...

Rachell Howzell Hall is the NYT, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of 16 novels. The novel discussed in this interview was Fog and Fury. Her bio says she also writes romantasy, something "Fog and Fury"—an intense thriller—is not. And with the fact that she does write romantasy, it allowed discussing questions not previously asked including the difference between writing thrillers and romantasy.

Tim Waggoner is a multi-award-winning dark fantasy and horror author with a spattering of media tie-ins, now totaling over 60 novels. He’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio. We discuss what attracts people to horror and why he enjoys writing it, and his horror novel, “The World Turns Red.” Visit Tim at TimWaggoner.com

In this episode, Lisa Mangum, a veteran editor and author, shares her extensive experience in publishing. She has worked as an editor at Deseret Book since 1997, and became the editorial manager at Shadow Mountain in 2014. She has authored four bestselling YA novels—including the Hourglass Door trilogy and After Hello—plus short stories, novellas, and a craft book inspired by Supernatural. She also edits anthologies for WordFire Press and teaches at writing conferences, including her unique UVU writing weekends in Capitol Reef National Park. The discussion centers on her book “Write Fearless. Edit Smart. Get Published.” emphasizing why even self-published or indie...

With over three million books published a year, how do you get your voice heard above the din of everyone else? Discovery remains one of the greatest challenges for both new and established writers. Whether it’s delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out eBooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel does it all. They are in the business of building author careers, no matter where an author is on their journey. Damon Courtney, creator of BookFunnel, discusses why it was built and how it has been used globally to...

Carell Augustus is a professional photographer whose career has taken him around the world to shoot some of the biggest stars on the planet. His celebrity clients have included Viola Davis, Beverly Johnson, Mariah Carey, Elizabeth Banks, Pierce Bronson, Meghan Markle, Serena Williams, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and more. He is also an author. Carell spent 10 years making his dream project come true. That dream was to reimagine famous Hollywood movie roles with black actors, with his coffee table book, “Black Hollywood: Reimagining Iconic Movie Moments.” This interview not only covers how he pulled off such an amazing product, but also...

Mike Sheffield is a 35-year Senior Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman Space Systems and a former U.S. Air Force Electronic Warfare Specialist. A passionate sci-fi fan, Mike joined the Heinlein Society in 2001, chaired its blood drive committee until 2010, has led the scholarship committee since 2012, served on the board from 2006–2014, and was the fourth Chair and President for its final four years. He discusses his love for science fiction, the origins of Heinlein-inspired blood drives at conventions (starting 1999 NASFiC), participation tips, the Heinlein for Heroes veteran book program, connections between L. Ron Hubbard and Robert A. Heinlein, thoughts on Final Bl...

Missed-Fits: A Calendar of Fools Anthology is a celebration of stories that don’t fit as flash, short story, or novella lengths, yet are awesome stories. In the world of short fiction publishing, word count often dictates destiny: flash fiction thrives under 1,000 words, while traditional short stories typically land between 3,000 and 7,500 words to find welcoming markets. But what about the tales that fall into the awkward in-between—longer than flash yet too brief for many standard slots? These "misfit" stories, intriguing, powerful, and fully realized, often get overlooked simply because they don't match the expected lengths. Calendar of Fools, the smal...

Writers of the Future first readers Leah Ning, Martin Shoemaker, Eric James Stone, and Coordinating Judge Jody Lynn Nye answer questions submitted by Contest entrants on what is looked for in stories submitted to the Contest. What excites them. What turns them off. What determines an Honorable Mention, Silver Honorable Mention, and Finalist. How stories are handled in genres that aren’t their favorite. And dozens of other questions.