Bionic Buzz® covered the red carpet of the 40th Annual Writers of the Future and the 35th Annual Illustrators of the Future L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards Gala at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA. After the writer and illustrator winners have spent an intensive week learning the ropes from well-established writers, artists and respected professionals in the publishing world, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future experience culminates in the gala Awards ceremony.
Produced as a professional event of the highest caliber, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Awards ceremony is truly the equivalent of the Academy Awards for science fiction and fantasy. Guest speakers are drawn from visionaries, scientists and science fiction luminaries. Before the Awards themselves are presented, the publisher, Galaxy Press, releases that year’s L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future volume. Judges and celebrity presenters introduce the winners and present awards to the writers and illustrators who placed First, Second and Third in each quarter. More information please visit https://www.writersofthefuture.com/the-awards-event/
Jack Nash from Arlington, VA, was named the 2024 Grand Prize Writer Winner and Tyler Vail from Bryan, TX was named the 2024 Illustrator Grand Prize Winner.
Jack Nash said: “Thank you L. Ron Hubbard, Author Services, Inc. and judges of this contest from the bottom of my heart. All of the stories are so good; I wasn’t expecting to be the one to win. This contest is the fuel for Science Fiction and Fantasy writers. Write what you love and enjoy!”
Tyler Vail said: “I didn’t expect to win. I didn’t prepare anything. Thank you to all the judges. How can I pay it forward as much as they have? It’s been such a great learning opportunity. This past week has been such a fantastic experience for my art and journey. I encourage writers and illustrators in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy to enter these contests.”
Winners from this year’s competitions hailed from all over the United States, as well as from Canada, China, Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In the week prior to the Awards Gala, all the winners of the 2024 contests were mentored in seminars led by contest judges in an effort to prepare them for their respective professions.
Joni Labaqui, Director of the Contests for Author Services, Inc. who oversaw the presentations of the Grand Prize Awards, said, “The theme for our awards show this year is ‘Shaman Dreams,’ as depicted on the cover of the Volume 40 anthology created by Illustrators of the Future judge, Dan dos Santos, to which Writers of the Future judge S.M. Sterling has crafted a story about a young woman shaman, a Starcatcher, with magical powers.”
A capacity crowd of 350 people attended the Black-Tie Gala, which was presented by Author Services, Inc. and Galaxy Press.
John Goodwin, President of Galaxy Press, unveiled Volume 40 of “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future,” as well as the audio book of Volume 40, which was recorded by Jim, Tamra and Taylor Meskimen. Emily Goodwin, Vice President of Public Affairs for Author Services, Inc., served as Event Producer.
Goodwin said, “This year Author Services, Inc. and Galaxy Press have been the recipients of over 100 global awards, proclamations and letters of recognition in observance of our contests for writers and illustrators pursuing careers in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Our contests promote the arts welcoming diversity, ethnicity, creativity and equality, with no age limits, and blind judging. All are welcome to enter.”
Our host Jackie Lewis interviewed Echo Chernik (Coordinating Judge for Illustrators of the Future), Jody Lynn Nye (Coordinating Judge for Writers of the Future), John Goodwin (President of Galaxy Press), May Zheng & Carina Zhang (Illustrator Winners), Bob Eggleton (9-time Hugo Award–winner for Best Pro Artist in Sci-Fi & Fantasy), Art Haywood (Pennsylvania State Senator), Joni Labaqui (Director of the International L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest), Arthur Haywood (Illustrator Winner), Tyrone Dubose (R&B Historian, Radio Host & Actor), The Jive Aces (UK-based Swing Band), Lorraine Diaz (District Director for Paul Krekorian, LA City Council member), Jeff Camp (Field Deputy at City of Los Angeles), Jim Meskimen (Impressionist & Actor), Jeff Rector (Director, Producer & Actor), John Eric (“J. E.”) Schleicher (Award-Winning Author), Phoebe Chen, Miss Universe China, Dr Evans Lam and Ivo Losman (Consulate General of the Czech Republic).
Produced by Jackie Lewis. Video edited by Steve Sievers of Bionic Buzz.