L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Volume 41, edited by Jody Lynn Nye, Galaxy Press, available in ebook and paperback formats.
As sure as spring follows winter and snow turns into rain, the annual volume of new writers and illustrators arrives to entice us with a collection to show that science fiction is going to be in good hands as we look ahead into a future that starts with this tome of new creations.
Jody Lynn Nye and the other judges of this annual contest have one of the hardest jobs in the field. After having seen thousands of submissions, they are trimmed down to the best stories that appear in this collection. Then, they have to pick one of them as the best.
As some of the awards shows say "all of you are winners" is also true here. Many of the authors first published here will go on to have a bright and successful career in the publishing industry.
Ian Keith's story of "Blackbird Stone" immediately drew me in with the redheaded stranger (female, of course) and his story that covers the concepts of time from the Big Bang until now and how love can conquer time.
In another story of time travel, "Storm Damage" by T.R. Naus, we find a scientist who is trying to protect his discovery at all costs even as nature itself is fighting to destroy its existence.
"Code L1" by Andrew Jackson conveys the adventures of a group of explorers seeking Earth-like planets finds an extremely beautiful planet, but soon find that beauty is truly only skin deep as it applies to planets as well as people.
"A World of Repetitions" by Seth Atwater Jr presents a world on a 34 hour loop that resets everything except your memories. Atwater tells how one man is able to create a continuous life even as the world resets.
Articles by Robert J. Sawyer, Tom Wood and L. Ron Hubbard and a full color portfolio of the art from the Illustrators that were the winners of their annual contest also appear.
If you haven't already got this on you list of required reading, be sure and do so now. This is the one volume you do now want to miss. It is available on Amazon.com and at you favorite bookseller and I think it will be an Audible selection as well.
Thanks to all the judges in the writing and art contests for another beautiful and enjoyable volume.As we sometimes say here in the South, "you dun good!"
