Gil Ortega
Apr 8, 2015 | 1st pages, Thriller
Chapter 1
Ever Wonder What If?
Ever wonder what would happen if you chose to do something else today? What if you decided to do something different? What if you decided to sleep in later? What if you decided not to go to work? What if you decided not to go out to dinner? What if you were just minding your own business?
It takes only one incident to change a lifetime.
It’s been four years since the “event,” and I still ask myself these questions over and over. The following is my story, and because of it, I’m grateful I decided to do everything I did four years ago. I’m not perfect. I have my flaws although I will deny them. I’m lucky in many ways. I learned more about my life, desires, ambitions, and my family from the events that took place four years prior.
I served my country for twenty-four years in the navy. I came from a navy family. My great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were all in the navy. I can say without a doubt that I was essentially born into the navy. My father was a Navy SEAL, and he has always been my mentor and role model. I find he taught me the most about being a man, a father, a husband, and a leader.
I was the commanding officer of the navy’s elite Naval Special Warfare Development Group, also known as DEVGRU, or to some, as Seal Team 6. Although the official Seal Team 6 was dissolved in 1987, to us, it always survived as just Seal Team 6. We always prefer the name Seal Team 6 as it carries many traditions. We existed under the command of the Joint Special Operations Command.
We have always been the best of the best—America’s team for when it was on the line. I fought for our country during wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world. I saw men killed in battle. I helped save men from dying in battle. The crazy thing is, I never thought I’d have to use all my skills and resources to save my own family right here in the United States of America.
I’m Retired US Navy SEAL Commanding Officer of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Seal Team 6, Captain Ryan Williams, and here is my story as I best remember it.
BooksGoSocial
Mar 3, 2017 | Interviews
Today we are chatting with Michael Phillip Cash the author of Witches Protection Program
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!I haven’t eaten bread, rice, pasta or potatoes in 6 years. I haven’t eaten any vegetables or fruit in 3 years. I only eat meat, cheese and butter and I’m in the best health of my life.
What novels affected you the most growing up?
Jurassic Park. I try to re-read it every summer. It was a huge influence on my writing.
Where did the idea for your current book come from?
It may be a bit embarrassing but I was looking at my wife’s trashy gossip magazines – something I never do…I swear. No really, I swear. I turned the page and one caption said ‘Wetless Protection Program’ and I thought it said ‘Witches Protection Program’. I thought to myself, what a great story idea. Months later, Witches is a best-seller on Amazon, and the screenplay is being circulated in the entertainment industry by some big name producers for a possible film deal.
Do you think you could ever run out of ideas for books?
Not ever! They come to me all the time.
What is your routine for writing and has this method changed over the span of your career?
I write a screenplay first with all my books. Screenplay writing has and always will be my first love. I pitched the idea to a major production company at Sony Pictures. They loved the idea and asked me for a first draft. I wrote the first draft in three weeks and submitted it. Then the whole Sony hacking incident occurred and the company could not approach Sony any further. So I took the script and converted it into a novel, which I do with all my books. Writing a screenplay first allows me to fine tune the story and structure. With screenplays I have to hit certain story points by certain pages to keep it moving along. Words also have to mean something in screenplays, you can’t drag on and on about the weather or scenery. Minimalism is the key. In writing novels on the other hand, you can delve deep into the characters psyche, and their surroundings. They are too different mediums, and I love writing both.
How important is marketing and social media for you?
I’m all over the Internet, thanks to my crack team of agents – Team Cash. Brittney Bass is my publicist and fan club pres. My mom is my momager (mom+manager=momager), who never stops bragging about me. It can get quite annoying, but I deal. Ann Gerber is my social networking guru and personality coach, because I have no personality. Second part is not true. And my brother Eric is my critic and cover designer. I would be nothing without these people in my life, just another castle builder in the sky. They have been my foundation.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Write what your heart tells you. Don’t worry about Hollywood, or submitting a manuscript to a big publishing house. Write what you want to write about and everything will fall into place. If you believe in yourself, in your product, and in your brand, you will get everything you want. It just may take some time.
What are you reading now?
I’m in the middle of Joseph Campbell’s ‘The Man with a 1000 Faces'. It discusses the mythology of heroes. This work influenced George Lucas to create Star Wars and Francis Ford Coppola to direct The Godfather. It should be required reading to all storytellers.
What’s your next step?
I’m writing a killer story about warlocks and wizards. Think Terminator 2 with warlocks. I finished a creepy little novella called The History Major that's out now. I was asked to write the Yoda spinoff for an upcoming Star Wars movie. That last line is a lie, but I can dream big, can’t I?
Witches Protection Program is available here
If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://yourbookpromoter.com
Allen Pollens
Feb 9, 2015 | 1st pages, Fantasy
Blue Knight, on his steed Black, flew toward The Artiste’s dark ship on Lake Michigan. As he approached the vessel, he raised The Shield of Invisibility and held it over his head. He immediately disappeared from view.
The Artiste was on deck and glimpsed Blue Knight just as he was rendered invisible.
“Nice leetle treek,” he observed. “However, it changes nussing. Come, we are waiting for you.”
Far below, beneath the waters of the lake, Frank and Ned swam in scuba wet suits with oxygen tanks strapped to their backs. They also headed for the vessel. These friends of the superhero alternate identity, Roger, had insisted on joining Blue Knight on the mission. Roger doubted he would need them. Once again, he had a dangerous feeling of invulnerability.
Endowed by the wizard with extraordinary abilities, how could he feel otherwise? Blue Knight’s movement-enhancing armor was impenetrable, and he could protect himself with his powerful sword, Maxcalibur. He also had Shield of Invisibility, the helmet’s Vision Panel and, of course, his horse Black. No two ways about it… he was a genuine superhero, daring to venture into situations others would avoid.. How else should he feel?
Yet, Roger could not drive away some second thoughts. “This thinking leads to trouble. I only recently became Blue Knight, and have a lot to learn. I should be grateful to Frank and Ned for coming with me… as Ma and Pa always say, ‘Better safe than sorry.'”
With Black’s incredible speed, Blue Knight arrived well ahead of the swimmers. As he circled the vessel, he sighted a large open hatch. The hold was in total darkness except for a small area in the center of the cavernous space. The superhero directed his helmet’s Vision Panel, to get a better view of the lighted area.
“Yikes! It is the Venus de Milo. The Artiste may be preparing to move the sculpture and start working on his threatened alterations.”
Sep 8, 2014 | 1st pages, Sci-fi
PROLOGUE
How did we end up on a planet so far from home? The short answer is that when our missions were completed, we knew far too much about Earth’s near term future to be allowed to return. The Defender understood that if we were tempted to share our knowledge of what was to come…it could alter what had to be. So, by mutual agreement, we were marooned here.
We have been asked to give a detailed historical record of our lives. Here is our tale.
**
YURI ALCOV
As my graduation from Yale was nearly at hand, our family doctor gave me my first annual physical. My brain scan revealed what most of the male members of our family knew all too well: a non-malignant, inoperable tumor in the center of the brain. Very few of us on my father’s side of the family ever lived beyond the age of 60. Only my younger brother Peter had escaped this golf ball-sized tumor pressing on the language center of theTaylor family brains. When you are 22 years old, being told that you probably won’t live past the age of 60, doesn’t seem like too big of a deal. However, I was sure that if no cure had been found by the time I reached my fifties, I would feel quite differently.
I majored in linguistics and spoke fluently in over a dozen languages, including Russian, Farsi and Arabic. When the CIA found out that I had aced these language courses, particularly the ones spoken in countries that were potential threats to America, the alphabet agencies came calling. I was intrigued by the idea of becoming America’s James Bond, so I postponed my dream of dot com billions and joined the CIA.
My closest friend in college was Yuri, an exchange student from Russia. Taking as his role model Ensign Chekhov from the original “Star Trek” series, Yuri was determined to become the world’s leading astrophysicist. In his graduate work, Yuri worked 18-hour days using the Hubbel telescope and the latest technologies to chart every asteroid, meteor or comet he could locate. Yuri was able to correlate the path of every NEO (near earth object) in Earth’s vicinity. In the coming decade he would become the world’s leading authority on such matters. He championed the building of deflectors on Earth to protect the planet from meteors, comets, and asteroids. He repeatedly warned the world powers that NEOs would come dangerously close to the Earth in the years to come.
Unfortunately, Yuri’s suggestions, though sound and logical, were never acted upon. Military leaders in Russia, China and the United States all felt that asteroid deflectors could be turned into deadly satellite-killing weapons here on Earth, and could provoke a war if used for military purposes.
There was no denying that these fears were genuine. Cutting off communications and disrupting satellite-based wireless devices on Earth was indeed possible. Imagine the uproar of the masses if cell phones, televisions, and tablets all stopped working at once. The powers that be decided it was better to play Russian roulette with potential Earth-killers rather than risk imperiling our satellites, not to mention incurring the wrath of their wireless-loving people.
Lonely Heroes on Amazon US
or Lonely Heroes on Amazon UK
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May 4, 2022 | Editors' Blog, Horror, Sci-fi
The newest installment in the Writers of the Future anthology has just released in Kindle and will release in paperback on June 28th!
The Writers of the Future contest is dedicated to discovering and nurturing new creative talent. It is one of the longest running awards in science fiction and fantasy and the only one limited to new authors and artists. This yearʼs winners are featured in the anthology, and their stories are illustrated by the winning illustrators. Gorgeous—what a masterpiece.
Here is the scoop.
What is the Writers of the Future?
Ron Hubbard initiated the Writers of the Future writing contest in 1983 to provide “a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged.”
It was so successful, the sister contest, Illustrators of the Future, was created five years later to provide that same opportunity for the aspiring artist. There has always been strong connection between artist and author, and this partnership shines in the final anthology each year with each winning story illustrator by one of the winning illustrators.
Over the last 38 years, the intensive mentoring process has proven very successful. Over 500 past winners and published finalists of the Writing Contest have published over 1,800 novels and nearly 6,200 short stories. They have produced 33 New York Times bestsellers, and their works have sold over 60 million copies.
The 370 past winners of the Illustrating Contest have produced over 6,000 illustrations, 360 comic books, graced 624 books and albums with their art, and visually contributed to 68 TV shows and 40 major movies.
Several great authors you are likely familiar with were discovered by contest. For example, Brandon Sanderson was a finalist and gives credit this this win providing encouragement to keep going. Nnedi Okorafor, Sean Williams, Patrick Rothfus, Jo Beverly, Eric Flint, and many others were winners or finalist in the program, and this win helped to jump start them on the road to success.
The newest in the series, Writers of the Future Volume 38, is on the launch pad. It is available as a Kindle exclusive and in Kindle Unlimited. See here: https://www.amazon.com/Ron-Hubbard-Presents-Writers-Future-ebook/dp/B09VXXCP5T
Cover Art by Bob Eggelton
Earlier in March, the cover art for Writers of the Future Volume 38 was revealed to an international online audience by the cover artist Bob Eggleton. John Goodwin, President of Galaxy Press the publisher of the fiction works of L. Ron Hubbard and the Writers of the Future series, hosted the event. Bob presented the process and inspiration for the cover, saying “My idea was taking this older work of mammoths and merging it with these new elements, humanoid robots exploring a past earth. Or is it someplace else? That is for you to decide.”
Video of event is embedded here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/pWJW4PCLLOs
Bob Eggleton is a winner of nine Hugo Awards and twelve Chesley Awards, the 2019 L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts, a 2015 Rondo Award in Classic Horror, and an award from the Godzilla Society of North America. His art is on the covers of numerous magazines, professional publications, and books in science fiction, fantasy, and horror worldwide, including several volumes of his own work. He has also worked as a conceptual illustrator for movies and thrill rides. He has been an Illustrators of the Future Contest judge since 1988, of which he stated, “L. Ron Hubbard ignited the spark of imagination, which in the minds of these new artists has become ablaze.”
The presentation of the new cover took on special significance this year. After this book was finalized, the book’s editor, David Farland, tragically left us. One of his last acts was to write a short story to accompany Bob Eggleton’s cover art. To this, Eggleton stated, “I feel privileged to have worked with David Farland on his last story, and so dedicate this cover art to him and the memory of his life.”
Attendees of the online event were quick to make known their excitement for the cover art.
Illustrators of the Future judge Lazarus Chernik commented, “This perfectly represents Bob Eggleton to me. He emotes with his brush as much as his characters and compositions, breathing life to fantastic scenes like no other. No faces? No problem. The paint itself becomes a person.”
Bookseller Jean-Paul L. Garnier of Space Cowboy Books stated, “Year after year, Writers of the Future remains an important anthology and a great read. If you’re looking for stellar new voices in science fiction and fantasy, look no further.”
About Writers of the Future Volume 38
This year’s collection includes 3 Bonus Short Stories by Frank Herbert, David Farland, and L. Ron Hubbard. Frank Herbert was a judge for the contest, and in recognition of the success of his science fiction classic Dune, we have republished his last essay with advice for new writers and one of his rare short stories.
“A Word of Power” by David Farland: When Fava, a Neanderthal shaman, discovers the men of metal driving away her mammoths, she must find magic powerful enough to save the herd.
“The Daddy Box” by Frank Herbert: An abused boy finds an alien artifact that gives him the strength to reshape his life and stand up to his violent stepfather.
“The Professor Was a Thief” by L. Ron Hubbard: Grant’s Tomb—missing! Pennsylvania Station—missing! The Empire State Building—missing! New York City is disappearing piece by piece.
And art and writing tips by Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, L. Ron Hubbard, and Diane Dillon.
“The Single Most Important Piece of Advice” by Frank Herbert: The last essay from Frank Herbert was written with the clear purpose of fulfilling what he saw as a paramount obligation to his art and craft—he provided the single most important piece of advice he would give a beginning writer.
“Boos and Taboos” by L. Ron Hubbard: L. Ron Hubbard challenges the restrictive “taboos” of writing for publications that bind stories in formula straitjackets. Urging writers to flout by-prescription storytelling, he describes his own conspicuous success in doing that, with a final, telling reflection on creative energy, sales—and writing stories that will be remembered.
“Teamwork: Getting the Best Out of Two Writers” by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson: Together, Brian and Kevin have written over twenty novels and numerous short stories, primarily expanding Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, but also on their original SF epic, the Hellhole Trilogy. Here they share the pitfalls and successes of their process and how they make it work.
“The Third Artist” by Diane Dillon: Leo and Diane Dillon chose to blend their talents, working together as one artist—the third artist—beginning a career that spanned fifty-four years. As an interracial couple, they dedicated their career to be inclusive of all races and cultures to reflect the world we live in.
And for a taste of this year’s award-winning stories—thirteen captivating tales from the best new writers of the year—here are the short descriptions:
In a world where monster killing and trapping is big business, one girl from a Hunter family decides she won’t kill monsters. As a matter of fact, her best friend is one…. —“Agatha’s Monster” by Azure Arther
A “book wizard” wants to help a pair of young orphaned brothers repair their relationship. But a powerful new magic book with problematic spellwork stands in the way. —“The Magic Book of Accidental City Destruction: A Book Wizard’s Guide” by Z.T. Bright
The daughter of Neptune Station’s greatest hero is about to face her most daunting mission yet: elementary school on Earth. —“The Squid Is My Brother” by Mike Jack Stoumbos
A bartender with a vendetta against the future must determine if his customer is a time-traveling tourist. —“Gallows” by Desmond Astaire
Grant’s Tomb—missing! Pennsylvania Station—missing! The Empire State Building—missing! New York City is disappearing piece by piece…. —“The Professor Was a Thief” by L. Ron Hubbard
A disgraced Lark is forced to take the job nobody wants. His songs can sway minds, but there’s no margin for mistakes in the frozen north. —“Lilt of a Lark” by Michael Panter
When a lieutenant with a mysterious past discovers an exotic creature held captive by a traveling farrago, they must decide how far they will go to save what matters most…. —“The Mystical Farrago” by N.V. Haskell
Alone but for her grandchild and a fox spirit, Emily braves Russia’s winter and Napoleon’s army to keep her family alive and together. —“Tsuu, Tsuu, Kasva Suuremasse” by Rebecca E. Treasure
An abused boy finds an alien artifact that gives him the strength to reshape his life and stand up to his violent step-father. —“The Daddy Box” by Frank Herbert
A son must decide whether to follow his father’s footsteps and accept a responsibility he doesn’t understand. —“The Island on the Lake” by John Coming
When a desperate bid to recover stolen memories goes wrong, Alice must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect her best friend. —“The Phantom Carnival” by M. Elizabeth Ticknor
A botanist must cure a dying planet before an evacuation when she will be forced to leave her young daughter behind. —“The Last Dying Season” by Brittany Rainsdon
When Fava, a Neanderthal shaman, discovers the men of metal driving away her mammoths, she must find magic powerful enough to save the herd. —“A Word of Power” by David Farland
Technology suppresses crime on the generation ship Eudoxus until a body is discovered, threatening the years of peace. —“The Greater Good” by Em Dupre
A genetically engineered assassin, concubine, and bodyguard has to unravel the entirety of her being to save her son…. —“For the Federation” by J.A. Becker
Tyson doesn’t need to be psychic to know the invitation is a trap, but he can’t refuse a poker tournament with the highest stakes imaginable. —“Psychic Poker” by Lazarus Black
The Writers of the Future Week
Starting a week before the annual awards event, the winners are flown in to Hollywood for an exclusive workshop to learn from the professionals in the industry who share their insights and secrets for success. For more information see the articles covering the writing workshop (https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writers-workshop) and the art workshop (https://www.writersofthefuture.com/art-workshop).
The famous art reveal, where the artists and illustrators of this year’s anthology meet for the first time and see the artwork created for their story was held on April 6th at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel.
On April 8th, the Achievement Awards was held at the Hollywood Taglyan Complex. Judges, winners, and celebrities flew in from around the world to acknowledge this year’s winners and to announce the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Pen Award and Golden Brush awards. This Award was presented to this year’s winning authors and illustrators along with $5,000: Desmond Astaire won the Golden Pen for “The Gallows” and Zaine Lodhi won the Golden Brush Award for his artwork of “Agathaʼs Monster.”
Critical Acclaim
As the only program of its kind, with a consistent top-notch collection of talent, it continues to be applauded from industry professionals to bestselling authors:
“Science fiction as a genre has always looked to the future and the Writers of the Future looks to the future of science fiction.” —Kevin J. Anderson (co-author of the Dune sagas)
“Some of the most excellent speculative fiction that you can find. They’re cutting edge.” —Nnedi Okorafor
“These are the people who are going to be creating trends.” —Brandon Sanderson
“Writers of the Future, as a contest and as a book, remains the flagship of short fiction.” —Orson Scott Card
“The best new stories by new writers, anywhere.” —Larry Niven
“See the best of the best culled for you, curated and selected in a single volume every year.” —Robert J. Sawyer
“An absolute wealth of imagination, adventure, excitement, stimulation and joy, every possible human emotion.” —Sean Williams
“A very generous legacy from L. Ron Hubbard a fine, fine fiction writer for the writers of the future.” —Anne McCaffrey
“Writers of the Future is a terrific program for new writers, and goodness knows, there are few enough of those. It has my heartiest support and unqualified recommendation.” —Terry Brooks
“Some of the best SF of the future comes from Writers of the Future.” —David Hartwell Hugo-Award-winning editor
“This collection shows why I'm happy to be a judge for the Writers of the Future Contest it always finds great stories by the new writers who will be winning Hugo and Nebula Awards a few years from now.” —Tim Powers
“The Writers of the Future Contest has not only provided a place where new writers could break into print for the first time but it also 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!” —Neil Gaiman
“It all started when I won the Writers of the Future Contest. Without them, I can honestly say I would not be where I am today.” —Patrick Rothfuss
“Writers of the Future played a critical role in the early stages of my career.” —Eric Flint
“Writers of the Future was an accelerator to my writing development.” —Jo Beverley
“The best-selling SF anthology series of all time.” —Locus Magazine
“Writers of the Future collection is exciting and engrossing, with stories that range across the spectrum of SF and fantasy. Tried-and-true space opera and epic fantasy, these stories explore new mysteries and ideas.” —Publishers Weekly
“This is a fine collection that will appeal to both fans of science fiction and fantasy short stories and aspiring writers looking for ways to improve their craft.” — Booklist
“Verdict: Speculative fiction fans will welcome this showcase of new talent.” —Library Journal, Starred Review
Conclusion
If you have not yet read the Writers of the Future and love cutting edge science fiction, fantasy, and horror short stories you need to check out this series.
If you are an aspiring writer or illustrator with a passion for the genre, you need to enter this contest. It is recommended you also read the books as you will see quality of your peers that are winning and each volume has tips from the Judges to give you the edge.
Watch the Achievement event online at https://www.writersofthefuture.com
Here are the quick links to the new book and contest resources:
Writers of Future Volume 38 on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Ron-Hubbard-Presents-Writers-Future-ebook/dp/B09VXXCP5T
Writing Contest Rules: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/contest-rules-writers/
Enter the Writing Contest: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/enter-writer-contest/
Free Writing Workshop: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writing-workshop/
Writing Podcast: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/podcast/
Contest Judges: https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writer-judges/
List of Writers of the Future & L. Ron Hubbard books: https://galaxypress.com/l-ron-hubbard-books/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WotFContest/
