For 35 years and over 800 winners providing “a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged.”
These eight winners from year 41 at the Writers & Illustrators of the Future workshop and awards gala: Seth Atwater, Jr., author of "A World of Repetitions," Jefferson Snow, author of "The Rune Witch," Joel C. Scoberg, author of "The Stench of Freedom," Sandra Skalski, author of "Slip Stone," T.R. Naus, author of "Storm Damage," Haileigh Enriquez, illustrator of "Storm Damage" and "Slip Stone," HeatherAnne Lee, illustrator of "Code L1," and Andrew Jackson, author of "Code L1." We discuss their journey as creative individuals and what makes the workshop so special for them and what Writers and Illustrators of the Future means to them and to the genre.
These four winners from year 41 at the Writers & Illustrators of the Future workshop and awards gala: David Hoffrichter, illustrator of "The Rune Witch"; Lauren McGuire, author of "Karma Birds"; Barlow Crassmont, author of "The Boy from Elsewhen"; and, Patrick MacPhee, author of "Thirty Minutes or It's a Paradox."
These four winners from year 41 at the Writers & Illustrators of the Future workshop and awards gala: Robert Lowell, author of "Kill Switch"; Jordan Smajstrla, illustrator of "Kill Switch"; CL "Cherrie" Fors, illustrator of "A World of Repetitions"; Ian Keith, author of "Blackbird Stone." We discuss their journey as creative individuals and what makes the workshop so special for them and what Writers and Illustrators of the Future means to them and to the genre.
Jonathan Merkh is the President and Publisher at Forefront Books. Andrea Fleck-Nesbit, president of the Independent Book Publishers Association and a previous podcast guest, introduced Merkh to the host. Merkh previously served as vice president and publisher at Thomas Nelson Publishers, led Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and Guidepost. Jonathan has published nearly 100 New York Times bestsellers. In 2023, Publishers Weekly recognized Forefront Books as the second fastest-growing publisher in the United States, and Inc. Magazine included Forefront Books among the nation's top fastest-growing companies. In this episode, we discuss the history of publishing, the need to have a platform as an author, the specialty niche that Forefront Books specializes in, and tips for writers of fiction and nonfiction. Learn more at www.forefrontbooks.com/
Isaac Stewart, once an independent author and artist, now serves as the Vice President of Creative Development at Dragonsteel Entertainment. Isaac designed and illustrated the interior art for Brandon Sanderson's “The Way of Kings,” including the Alethi Women's script, maps, Shallan's and Navani's notebook pages, and additional artwork. He also created the interior art for the Mistborn series, featuring the Steel alphabet, maps, and Allomantic table. Stewart is closely linked to two Cosmere characters: Nazrilof, a character he created and partially based on himself, and the cartographer Isasik Shulin, whose name derives from Isaac's. Beyond his contributions to Sanderson's works, Isaac is writing books, creating cartography, and designing book covers. He collaborated with Shawn Boyles on the webcomic “Rocket Road Trip.” Isaac and his wife, Kera, joined Dragonsteel Entertainment around 2013, with Isaac hired as an in-house artist before the publication of “Words of Radiance.” Isaac attended the Life, the Universe, & Everything (LTUE) annual booksales event, where he gifted the podcast host a copy of his book “Monsters Don't Wear Underpants” and which became part of this podcast discussion. Learn more about Isaac at https://coppermind.net/wiki/Coppermind:Artists/Isaac_Stewart
Today's guests are Jim, Tamra, and Taylor Meskimen along with Kirby Heyborne. The Meskimens were recorded in a studio in Los Angeles while Kirby was from his home in Utah. This episode discusses creating the Writers of the Future Volume 41 audiobook. Jim is an actor, comedian, and impressionist best known for his voice-over work in video games. His IMDB page has over 330 entries, some of which include Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Thundercats, Parks and Recreation, and Jib Jabs' This Land is Your Land. Tamra is an actor who has appeared in shows such as Physical, American Crime Story, and General Hospital. She established an improv company devoted to improvising one-act plays and co-founded an acting school, The Acting Center, where she teaches and performs. Their daughter Taylor is also an actor accomplished in improv, dance, song, and film. When she isn't in recording studios, she has performed for over a decade at venues throughout Los Angeles, narrating over 130 audiobooks, including Riverdale, Enders Game Alive, and Midnight Sun. Kirby Heyborne is an actor, musician, singer, songwriter, narrator, and comedian. He has also worked extensively as an audiobook narrator, having narrated more than 2,000 books.
On the evening of Thursday, April 10, 2025 at the 41st Annual Writers of the Future and the 36th Annual Illustrators of the Future L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards Gala in the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Randyn C. J. Bartholomew from Brooklyn, NY was named the 2025 Grand Prize Writer Winner and Jordan Smajstrla of Boerne, TX was named the 2025 Grand Prize Illustrator Winner. Randyn C. J. Bartholomew said, “This is a dream come true! It's hard to imagine; it's wild! I think the most important thing I learned this week is that there's a community of people doing this. It's not you or me sitting alone at laptops anymore. Thank you!” Jordan Smajstrla said, “I am so honored to have been chosen. I wouldn't be here without my writer. His story is the foundation of my illustration. Arts is one of the most important things in life. If you are driven to create, create. Don't let anyone stop you or tell you you aren't good enough. Artistic expression brings people together and makes the world a better place. Never stop.” This interview was recorded at the Loews Hotel in Hollywood, California, the morning following the Awards Gala.
Robert Hatch has over thirty years experience as a director/producer/writer of dramatic films, documentaries, and television series, and his films have received over three hundred awards and honors from film festivals in the U.S. and internationally. He stated that he is always on the lookout for new material to turn into movies.
David Howard's most visible credit is DreamWorks' major feature film, Galaxy Quest, the story and screenplay of which we discuss. He also has an arm's length of television and live theatre credits. But interestingly enough, this is not why he is on this podcast. This is why he is my guest. Galaxy Press is easily confused with Galaxy Quest, and I routinely hear the public at conventions tell their friends they are standing by the Galaxy Quest booth. So, David became an obvious great guest when the opportunity presented itself at the Life, the Universe and Everything Symposium in Provo, Utah. We discuss script writing, what works and what to avoid. But more to the purpose of this podcast, he is the author of a delightful YA fantasy called ‟Penumbra,” which we discuss in this interview.
Jen Finelli is a physician and injured adventurer. Her real-life adventures have ranged from the funny and silly (like getting herself locked in a German nunnery by accident) to the beautiful (like scuba diving with sharks) to the severe and tragic (like breaking her spirit as she held the dying and watched sexual assault victims suffer without justice). So she often writes fantastical science fiction with a real-life military, medical, or combat edge. When she is not doing that, she plays with trauma and pain and hope. Marie Whittaker, the Exec Dir of Superstars, reached out with what an amazing guest Jen would be. And so, please meet Jen Finelli, who just published her five-book series with WordFire Press. https://byjenfinelli.com/
Michael La Ronn built a writing career publishing 10-12 books per year while raising a family, working a full time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings. In this interviews, we discuss how he has juggled all this and maintained a very positive outlook. Learn more at www.michaellaronn.com
Today's guest is Edward Ashton, author of "Mickey 7" along with his most recent title "The Fourth Consort." His novel, "Mickey 7" has been made into the just released movie "Mickey 17." When Edward is not writing his international bestselling novels, he enjoys cancer research, teaching quantum physics to sullen graduate students, and whittling. https://www.edwardashton.com/
Dave Butler, pen name DJ Butler, and David Afsharirad have created a new publisher, Ark Press. Dave Butler was a guest on episode 246, discussing navigating right and wrong in storytelling. Ark Press mission is to provide stories where humans win in the end. In this episode, we discuss a new press called Ark Press and an exciting writing competition—America 2076—to be published in 2026. That's why it's speculative fiction. Learn more at https://x.com/ark_press
Toni Weisskopf is an American science fiction editor and the publisher of Baen Books. She has won the Phoenix Award, the Rebel Award, and the Neffy Award for best editor. She uses the nom de plume T. K. F. Weisskopf as an anthology editor. Writers of the Future and Toni initially met in New York in 1989, where she was a volunteer helping at the Awards event! She has since worked with Jim Baen, working under him as an editor and wearing every hat in a publishing house. With Jim's passing, Toni became the owner and publisher of Baen Books and is going strong! She was earlier on this podcast in episode 100. In this episode, we discuss the future of publishing.
Z.S. “Zac” Diamanti, per his own bio, went to college forever and has too many pieces of paper on his wall as a result. He is a USAF veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and has worked in ministry for 10 years. Zac came highly recommended by Superstars organizers. And rightly so. The “Guard in the Garden” is a cozy fantasy, a subgenre that has not been addressed before on this podcast. What is fascinating is how he successfully used cozy fantasy to deal with the aftermath of war. And I must say, I have not cried this much over a story for a long time! https://zsdiamanti.com/
Marc Cameron is a former US Marshal and author of the Arliss Cutter novels, the Jericho Quinn series, and the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan books starting with "Power" and "Empire." His law enforcement career has spanned over thirty years, from uniformed police officer to mounted patrol officer and detective before becoming a US Marshal, where he served as a Deputy, Fugitive Task Force Commander, Supervisory Deputy, Senior Inspector, and Chief. In this interview, we discuss his latest novel, “Bad River," and writing thrillers and how he has used life experience to create amazing stories. https://marccameronbooks.com/
Scot Noel was a guest earlier, which you can listen to on episode 210. Scot was a Writers of the Future Volume 6 winner in 2010 and has since gone on to write more SF and created DreamForge, now in its fourth year. He has also spent quite some time working in computer science, specifically AI, and likens it to the parable of the two blind men describing an elephant, which we discuss in this interview.
Douglas Richards was a guest earlier in episode 211. In it, we discuss the blur between science and science fiction and the theme will continue in this episode. His most recent book, “The Breakthrough Effect,” was written as ChatGPT made its official appearance and so is very relevant.
David Hankins was a “Writers of the Future Volume 39” winner in 2023 with his short story “Death and the Taxman.” In this interview, we discuss science fiction comedy vs. satire and its value to the overall genre. He has since gone on to create a series based on his short story. The first was appropriately titled “Death and the Taxman,” and the second, now releasing, “Death and the Dragon.” He was a guest earlier as a winner and you can hear him in episodes 238 and 239 with fellow winners following the awards gala. Learn more about David at davidhankins.com/
Victoria Sutherland created Foreword Reviews Magazine in 1998. Since its inception, Foreword Reviews has never strayed from its mission to help booksellers and librarians discover great books from indie presses. Authors may not know that librarians need a trade review to order books, which is what Foreword Reviews is. They include 100–125 reviews per bi-monthly issue. Anyone listening to this podcast will receive a 15% discount for any Foreword service using discount code “WOTF" at www.ForewordReviews.com.
Steve Smith is the President and Publisher of Sky Turtle Press/Oasis Family Media. He began his publishing career in 1984. Throughout the 1990s, he was active in licensing entertainment industry properties for publishing projects, working with Lucasfilm, 20th Century Fox, and Sony Pictures. This interview discusses the importance of family-friendly content and the evolution of print books to audiobooks.
Adam Schomer is a filmmaker who created “Selling Superman,” which is the basis of this podcast interview. He is president of i2i Productions and goes to extreme lengths to follow stories that empower. His documentaries include award winners: “The Highest Pass,” “The Polygon,” “One Little Pill,” “Women of the White Buffalo,” and the documentary I watched, “Selling Superman,” about a family whose father collected comics … tens of thousands and including Issue #1 of Superman valued somewhere between $3-4M! Check out the documentary at https://www.sellingsuperman.com/
Andrea Fleck-Nisbet is the CEO of IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Assn), which is growing rapidly. After this interview with Andrea, it is no wonder why. She is a significant force of nature and, from my perspective, a major reason for this growth. In this interview, we discuss Indie publishing as well as author publishing. (She corrected me when I used the term self-publishing.) We discuss IBPA, its importance to the future of publishing, and its importance to authors and indie publishers. Learn more at www.ibpa-online.org/
Elise Stephens credits much of her storytelling influence to a lifelong love of theater and childhood globetrotting. Her work focuses on themes of family, memory, and finding hope after a devastating loss. I originally met her when she won the Writers of the Future competition in 2018 with her short story “Untrained Luck” appearing in Writers of the Future Vol 35. When I learned of her book, “Forecast,” her invitation to this podcast was assured. Her fiction prose is so easy to read and her sense of character is so authentic. Her's was a book I greedily devoured. Learn more about Elise at www.elisestephens.com/
Myke was a Writers of the Future Contest winner in volume 19 with his story “Blood and Horses.” He is an American author of fantasy, science fiction, and nonfiction. His series includes the Shadow Ops, Reawakening, and Sacred Throne series. His career also involves television, and he has appeared on the CBS reality show Hunted and the Discovery Channel series Contact. Myke Cole is a fire/rescue responder in New York's Hudson Valley. He has spent a long career in the military, intelligence, and law enforcement. When I reached out to him, he told me he was more about writing nonfiction these days. So today, we discuss his most recent publication, “Steel Lobsters: Crown, Commonwealth, and the Last Knights in England.” Steel Lobsters covers the complete history of England's last knights, from the seeds of their creation in Hesilrige's experience as a young cavalry officer to their final defeat at Roundway Down in July 1643.
Sean is the President of Dreamscape Media. He is also the President of the Audio Publishers Association. We met in Frankfurt recently at the Book Fair and finalized this interview. Audiobook growth kept the publishing industry growing during the pandemic, so I am very excited to speak with Sean about the growth of audiobooks as an industry. We also discuss the growth of AI generated audiobooks in the industry as a viable solution for books that would not otherwise ever be made as an audiobook.
Scott won the Writers of the Future Contest in volume 28 with his story “Insect Sculptor.” He is the Founder of NewMyths eZine, one of only a few online magazines that continue to pay writers, poets, and artists for their contributions. He was a guest on this podcast on episode 57 in early 2020, just before the pandemic hit. In this interview, we discuss writing with multiple first-person points of view as well as his new YA novel, “Memories of Lucinda Eco,” which demonstrates this technique. You can find “Memories of Lucinda Eco” at www.amazon.com/Memories-Lucinda-…nes/dp/1939354269 And you can find Scott here: www.scotttbarnes.com/about-me
Jason Kelly, the CEO of Sounded, an audiobook company, was interviewed at the Frankfurt Bookfair. We addressed the fact that AI audiobooks are now a reality. In fact, Audible created 40,000 AI audiobooks last year using synthetic voices. We discuss how AI (synthetic voices) can be set up to not violate narrator rights and how it works. We also discuss how companies violate copyright laws by using a clone model (a celebrity voice synthesized by AI), and, thus, the authors need to know what they are getting into. If you are an author wanting to get your book created as an audiobook but have a very limited budget, then perhaps Sounded is a resource for you. https://www.sounded.com/
This interview was recorded at the Frankfurt Bookfair in Frankfurt, Germany. Cory Verner created Christian Audio as a solution to having something good to listen to on his daily 3-hour commute from San Diego to Orange County in California. He grew his company to the point where he was ready to move on and sold it to Recorded Books, at which point he decided to create his new company, ONE Audiobooks. He also has Verity Audio Productions, specializing in Spanish, and works with other audiobook publishers. We discuss the value of audiobooks with a good message, not preaching, but like PG or PG 13-type stories. He also created Zoundy.com, a site that allows authors to create and use an audiobook as a free giveaway to build reviews for their books, which can be posted on Goodreads and Amazon. NOTE: We used the term “SaaS” in the interview, which means “Software as a Service.” We also discuss the growth of the audiobook industry and the models used to discover audiobooks. Visit oneaudiobooks.com/
Dennys Ilic is a genuinely beautiful person who has, for the past 18 years, pursued his passion as a professional photographer. He is also a celebrated Leica photographer. He has become internationally renowned as an editorial portrait photographer, best known for his edgy and soulful images. He has worked with clients including A-list actors Daniel Radcliffe, Jason Momoa, Halle Berry, Charlie Hunnam, Viola Davis, Keanu Reeves, Glenn Close, Ryan Reynolds, Cindy Crawford, Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Karl Urban, Edward James Olmos, Rosario Dawson, Lawrence Fishburne, Mary McDonnell, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Hart, Lou Diamond Philips, as well as Joel Silver, David S. Goyer, and Peter Jackson, to name a few. Dennys has been instrumental in publishing five successful hard-cover photographic art books and is in preparation for creating the Star Trek Discovery Coffee-Table Book. Today, we will talk about MEN OF SCIENCE FICTION. See his work at https://leicagalleryla.com/gallery-view/dennys-ilic/
Angelique Fawns has published multiple short stories in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and DreamForge Anvil. She has also published several dark fantasy compendiums titled MYTHICAL MONSTERS. I read several of her short stories in BOOK 3 OF THE HORROR LIGHT SERIES and found them perfect for entertaining Halloween reads. She also compiled a publication listing all short story markets titled THE GUIDE OF ALL GUIDES, which we will discuss. Learn more at www.Fawns.ca
Joe Davis competed for the US in the winter sliding sport of Skeleton at the Olympic Park (1999-2003). For the last few years, he has enjoyed sharing the stories and history of Park City and Utah in general as an Anchor and Reporter for the NBC affiliate KSL and as the former Host of the Mountain Morning Show on PCTV (Park City Television). In addition, he proudly continues serving as a Public Affairs Broadcast Journalist for the United States Air Force. Joe Davis is a long-term supporter of Writers of the Future having done dozens of interviews with me, Contest winners, and judges. In this interview, we discuss how to do a successful interview. What is important to provide? What should you not do?
We recorded this podcast at the Writers of the Future panel at FanX Salt Lake 2024 with an amazing list of panelists. Beginning with me as the moderator, it included S.M. Stirling, Larry Niven, Rebecca Moesta, Kevin J. Anderson, Darci Stone, and Eric James Stone. And as promised in the promotion for the panel, a recently discovered video interview with Ray Bradbury from the very first Writers of the Future Gala in 1985 was played. While you can listen to his interview on this podcast, you can go to the Writers of the Future YouTube page on the playlist Advice From a Master: Ray Bradbury. https://youtu.be/7KLWpR0lohI?feature=shared So, here we are at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City.
Ian Randal Strock was assistant editor at Analog and Asimov for half a dozen years in between a long career as an editor, author, and publisher. He is now the owner, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Gray Rabbit Publications, LLC, and its speculative fiction imprint, Fantastic Books. In this interview, we discuss the history of short fiction magazines, going back to the Golden Age of Science Fiction. We also discuss the importance of short fiction to a writer's career and discovery. AND, a delightful new release by Ian hitting the shelves December 3, 2024, titled, "Wandering Through Time." Learn more about Ian at https://ianrandalstrock.com/
Jessica Brawner is an author of fiction and nonfiction, spanning topics from topical books on improving social interactions to urban fantasy and steampunk tales. She has experience in both traditional publishing and self-publishing but prefers the latter. We met through a common friend, now her husband, Steven L. Sears, who has been a guest on this podcast. She recently released her latest novel, “Tattoos on Dead Tree Flesh,” which I thoroughly enjoyed and am anxious to discuss. What a title! (Pay attention and you will have an ah-ha moment when you realize what it means!) www.jessicabrawner.com
Marc Scott Zicree has written for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sliders, Babylon 5, Smurfs, He-Man, Real Ghostbusters, and much more. But the reason I invited him to this podcast is that Marc Scott Zicree is the author of the most comprehensive book on the original series, "The Twilight Zone Companion." A TV series I enjoyed as a child but had no idea of what went into the series that made it so entertaining or its impact on so many people! And I still remember those chilling opening and closing monologs by Rod Serling. We discuss how Rod Serling created this series as a result of being censored for attempting to discuss current social issoes on programming he was writing. Find his book, "The Twilight Zone Companion" wherever books are sold.
S.M. Stirling writes in multiple genres and has over 10 NYT bestsellers. In this interview, we discuss writing alternate history, the need for research, and how to do this research. His latest novel, "To Turn the Tide" addresses the last successful period of the Roman Empire before the Germanic tribes invaded and sacked it. We discuss Type A invention and Type B invention which plays a key part of the novel. We also discuss two of L. Ron Hubbard's favorite books, "Typewriter in the Sky" and "Slaves of Sleep." Learn more at smstirling.com/books/to-turn-the-tide/
I am here at the Tampa Convention Center attending the 2024 Tampa Comic Con with this week's guest, James Rosone. We met up here last year at this convention and recorded a podcast interview which you can find as interview 247. James Rosone is the Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of military thriller and science fiction. He's an Iraq War veteran who served 3.5 years in a combat zone as a military interrogator and contractor. I completed his Monroe Doctrine series—all 9 volumes—and find near future military SF (I hope it's SF) is the most chilling of any type of story I have read. I also read the first volume of his 11-volume Into the Stars series—not so near future. In this interview, we discussed how he arrived at writing in the genre he chose, what his process has been as a self-published author to become a top 100 Amazon author—close to making 7 figures a year—and how he does his research for the technology he uses in his novels. https://frontlinepublishinginc.com/
Elliott Haimoff, is a biologist, primatologist and documentary filmmaker. In 1990 he founded Global Science Productions to develop and distribute educational television programs and news segments about space, biology, health, sports and nature. And now, over 200 documentaries with dozens of awards later, I am now interviewing him on one of several books he was written: SPACE PIONEERS: CONVERSATIONS WITH THE MEN OF APOLLO We initially met several years back as we were releasing our Stories from the Golden Age. He would frequent our Saturday night live theatre. He also shot a documentary on Pulp Fiction, which heavily featured L. Ron Hubbard as one of the masters of Science Fiction's Golden Age.
Anthony Goff is the President of Blackstone Publishing. I met Anthony when we shared spots on the Audio Publishers Assn Board of Directors in the early 2010s when he was the audio publisher at Hachette. He has been involved in publishing and the growth of the audiobook industry for three decades and is very knowledgeable about its history and growth and what's in store in the future. We also discuss how to get your book published as an audiobook—what to do and what not to do.
Meghna Pant is recognized as one of India's best writers by several international and national publications. And she is the first female to ever write a war novel in India. She is an author, feminist, journalist and speaker and has won a variety of awards for her contribution to literature, gender issues, and journalism. In 2012, she won the Muse India National Literary Awards' Young Writer Award for her debut novel "One-and-a-Half Wife." I met her perhaps 15 years ago in Los Angeles. We've been friends on social media. When I saw a post about the book we will be discussing, I reached to invite her as a guest to this podcast. And I am very happy I did. I hope you are as well. https://www.meghnapant.com/
Jim, Tamra, and Taylor Meskimen along with British actor Victoria Summer, recorded the "L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40" audiobook. Listen as they discuss how they create the voices that bring these stories to life. We also discuss the value of art in creating a safe space to experience life outside our comfort zone.
Melody Groves has written 12 Western novels and 5 non-fiction books of the Old West. I read a very light-hearted Western tale “She Was Sheriff” in preparation for this interview. The story tagline "All She Wanted Was a Gold Band—What She Got Was a Tin Star." We discuss the current growth of the Western genre and comparisons between it and the SF genre. The Western Horse Opera preceded Science Fiction Space Opera. She is the President of Western Writers of America and Homestead Foundation. Gold Winner, 2023 Will Rogers Medallion Award, "Billy's Mom" Spur Winner, 2023, WWA, "Before Billy the Kid" 6X Winner, 2021 NM/AZ Book Awards Winner, 2018 National Press Women Award Winner, 2018 New Mexico Press Women Awards https://melodygroves.com/
2024 Writers of the Future Workshop instructors, Jody Lynn Nye and Robert J. Sawyer, discuss how they can't give back very readily but can pay forward. We discuss what Jody and Rob along with the other judges do to pay forward. Because these winners are the writers we will be reading in the future.
Shahid Mamoud and Lezli Robyn, Publisher and Editor of Galaxy's Edge Anthology (formerly Magazine), discuss editors and their role and value in creating the best possible story...and a whole lot more! Learn more at www.galaxysedge.com/
Orson Scott Card is the author of Ender's Game series and dozens of other novels. In this podcast we discuss his start as an author and how he developed the concept of "Ender's Game" and have it became the beloved book it is today. Mr. Card has also been a Writers of the Future Contest Judge for over three decades. Learn more about Orson Scott Card and his works at http://www.hatrack.com/
Craig Elliott is In the animation industry. He has worked primarily as the production designer for Marvel, Disney and Dreamworks, designing animated films such as Hercules, Mulan, The Emperor's New Groove, Treasure Planet, Shark Tale, Flushed Away, Bee Movie, Enchanted, Monsters vs. Aliens, and The Princess and the Frog as well as other upcoming features. This means he runs the entire art department that designs a movie or TV show. In this interview, we discuss the process of creating animated movies as well as his growth as an artist. See his art at https://www.artstation.com/elliott
Writers of the Future 40 winners Lance Robinson ("Five Days Until Sunset"), Stephannie Tallent ("Live and Death and Love in the Bayou"), and Tom Vandermolen ("Nonzero") meet on the last day of the Writer Workshop Week (this being the second winner podcast) and we discuss their personal journeys and the value of the Contest to aspiring writers. We also discuss the value of the Contest to the military as two of the speakers are ex-military. Learn about each of them at: Lance Robinson - https://lancerobinsonwriter.com Stephannie Tallent - http://www.stephannietallent.com Tom Vandermolen - https://tomvandermolen.com
Writers of the Future 40 winners James Davies, Amir Agoora, Kal M, John Eric Schleicher, and Galen Westlake meet on the last day of the Writer Workshop Week and we discuss their personal journeys and the value of the Contest to aspiring writers. We discuss the importance of dealing with self-rejection and how to come up with amazing story ideas. Learn about each of them at: James Davies: https://www.jd-writes.com/ Amir Agoora: https://amiragoora.com/ Kal M: twitter.com/kalmyourself John Eric Schleicher: https://www.jeschleicher.com/ Galen Westlake: https://www.galenwestlake.com/
Bill Fawcett has just published a near-future military science called "Never Again," and it is very scary! https://chriskennedypublishing.com/book/never-again/ Bill has been a professor, teacher, corporate executive, and college dean. His entire life has been spent in the creative fields and managing other creative individuals. He is one of the founders of Mayfair Games, a board and role-play gaming company. As an author, Fawcett has written or coauthored over a dozen books and dozens of articles and short stories. As a book packager, a person who prepares series of books from concept to production for major publishers, his company, Bill Fawcett & Associates, has packaged more than 250 titles for virtually every major publisher.
Kathryn Raaker is the Founder and CEO of Tri-State Connection, a Global Multimedia and PR Company. She has been a trailblazer in the media industry for over three decades. Her son, Robert Taggart, is a journalist and author. Together, they worked together as a mother and her son as a writing team. https://kathrynraakersworld.com/
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