Consumer News

You: A Writing Contest Winner?

Posted: 7/21/2010

The next edition of a popular book could feature a story or illustration by you.

(NAPSI) - If you've ever thought about becoming an author or professional illustrator, a new contest could be good news for you.

More than 600 novels have been published by the winners and over $30,000 in prizes awarded annually through the Writers of the Future contest. The most successful contest for aspiring writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged, it has the highest success rate in launching careers of any writing competition.

The contest was started by L. Ron Hubbard, himself one of the most successful writers of the Golden Age, and other famous science fiction authors have praised it.

What Authors Say

For example, Neil Gaiman, author of dozens of books, including "Coraline," said, "Writers of the Future has a record of nurturing and discovering writers who have gone on to make their mark in the science fiction field. Long may it continue." While Orson Scott Card, who pens the "Enders" series, among many others, said of the contest, "It's what keeps sci-fi alive."

What Winners Get

Winners receive trophies and cash prizes. They also get to attend a weeklong workshop taught by contest judges-including New York Times best-selling authors Kevin J. Anderson ("Dune" series) and Sean Williams ("The Resurrected Man") and internationally acclaimed artist Stephen Hickman, each one an experienced professional in the field-providing sound advice based on hard-won experience.

About Writing

As for how to write the story, here's some advice that Hubbard himself gave an interviewer at the time of the first contest:

"There are some activities that are simply so much fun that one can't give them up. Writing is that for me. I love every opportunity to write.

"Many young writers are told to write in order to learn how to write. That is good advice. I used to find any excuse to write because I loved to do it. If I didn't have a typewriter, I wrote in longhand.

"I chose science fiction because there is great versatility in this genre. A writer must pick his medium as carefully as a painter must pick his brush and colors."

According to Joni Labaqui, contest director, there are no entry fees. All the judges see is a number assigned to a submission.

Where To Learn More

To enjoy fine sci-fi and to get an idea of the type of work that wins, you can read previous collections, available online and at bookstores. For more information, go to www.writersofthefuture.com or call (323) 466-3310.

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