Writers of the Future

L RON HUBBARD PRESENTS WRITERS OF THE FUTURE, VOLUME XXVII, Edited by KD Wentworth, Galaxy, $7.99, 546 pages, ISBN: 9781592128709, reviewed by Barry Hunter.

Every year we get to read a collection of the new voices that have been picked as the best entries in the annual contest by a panel of best-selling and extremely knowledgeable judges. We are also treated to the best art as chosen by the cream of the art world. This year’s edition lives up to the standards set by the preceding volumes. Many of the previous contestants have gone on to best-selling careers and I’m sure some of the names in this volume will be added to that list.

To me, there is more to this year’s volume than just good writing, interesting characters and settings. There is an underlying thread of passion for the art. I’m reminded of Gordon Ramsey talking about having a passion for cooking rather than going through the motions just doing a job. The writers in this volume show their passion and I hope they maintain this level in their future endeavors.

Jeffrey Lyman opens the volume with “The Unreachable Voices of Ghosts” - a story of spacers trying to capture a black hole in order to strike it rich or die or even fall in love. “Maddy Dune’s First Spelling Bee” by Patrick O’Sullivan is a fun read about a most unusual contestant in a most unusual “spelling bee”. “The Truth from a Lie of Convenience” by Brennan Harvey gives a lunar conspiracy that will go to any effort, including murder, to keep under wraps. Ben Marks’ “Unfamiliar Territory” gives us space salvage, rookie spacers, and pirates; all with good characters and emotions.

Other stories feature warfare, immortality, floating cities, and other staples of science fiction but given a different light or twist that shows the field is in good hands. This is another worthy volume and stands tall with the previous volumes. This is recommended reading. You won’t be disappointed.