Podcasts about illustrators

KATIE CROSS - BIOGRAPHY Katie Cross is ALL ABOUT writing epic magic and wild places. Creating new fantasy worlds is her jam. When she's not hiking or chasing her two littles through the Montana mountains, you can find her curled up reading a book or arguing with her husband over the best kind of sushi. Visit her at www.KatieCrossBooks.com for free short stories, extra savings on all her books (and some you can't buy on the retailers), and so much more. Mark McWaters has long been a fan of all things that go bump in the night, scratch at the door, or blow cold air on the back of your neck. From a very young age, he carried a pad and pencil around with him, composing poems to give to girls. He devoured all the Hardy Boys and Doc Savage books he could get his hands on and expanded his reading horizons from there. Robert Heinlein, Asimov, and Bradbury, whetted his appetite for Sci-Fi. Ann Rice's Interview With The Vampire blew his mind. A scene from Stephen King's Salem's Lot haunts him to this day. And Watcher by Dean Koontz made him a lifelong fan. He earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Became an award-winning advertising copywriter and creative director and earned enough Clios, Addys, and Communication Arts awards for bragging rights. As a writer, Mark discovered the Florida Writers Association, critique groups and writing competitions. He's won a steady stream of FWA Royal Palm Literary awards for his unpublished short stories and novels. The inspiration behind “Ghost Dog” came while reading entry rules for a magazine looking for unusual spins on traditional horror. Houses, people, dolls, even cars get haunted. So, he thought, why not dogs? Bentley, a West Highland White Terrier who sleeps under Mark's desk while he writes, agreed. The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 43rd year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. The Illustrators of the Future Contest judges include, Bob Eggleton (11 Chesley Awards and 9 Hugo Awards), Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons book covers), Echo Chernik (graphic designs for major corporations including Celestial Seasonings tea packaging), Rob Prior (art for Spawn, Heavy Metal comics and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ciruelo (Eragon Coloring Book).

Today's guest is Patrick Kidder, editor in chief of Sally Port Magazine. Patrick was introduced by a Writers of the Future super-fan, Annmarie SanSevero. This podcast is always supportive of publishing activities that help out authors and artists working to get their voices heard and so he was a welcome guest. To learn more, visit sallyportmagazine.com/

LARRY ELMORE Illustrators of the Future Judge – Biography Leonard Elmore has been creating fantasy and science fiction art for more than forty years. After receiving a BFA degree from Western Kentucky, he married Betty Clemons and was drafted into the Army almost at the same time. In the 1970s he began freelancing and was published in a few magazines, including Heavy Metal and National Lampoon. After being contacted by TSR Inc., the company that produced the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, Larry worked there from 1981 to 1987. While at TSR, he helped set the standards for gaming art in the role-playing genre. Besides creating covers for Dungeons & Dragons, AD&D, Star Frontiers and other gaming books, he may be best known for his work with the world of Dragonlance. Since 1987 he has worked as a freelance illustrator, creating covers for comics, computer games, magazines, and fantasy and science fiction books and projects too numerous to list. In recent years, he has been creating paintings for collectors and fans around the world. He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 2012. Larry was presented with the L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in 2018. “The Illustrators of the Future is true competition. It's a wonderful competition. If I had something like this when I was young to attend, it would blow my mind because I never met a real professional artist till I was out of school, out of college.” —Larry Elmore Find out more at: larryelmore.com CHRISTINA HESS Artist, Professor – Biography Christina Hess is an illustrator known for blending historical and natural themes across a wide range of projects. Her portfolio includes everything from numismatic coin designs to illustrated cookbooks, rendered in media such as graphite, watercolor, oils, and digital. Notable commissions include her work with the U.S. Mint, where she contributed to the 2020 Silver Dollar commemorating the 19th Amendment and the American Women Quarters Program. In addition she created the reverse quarter design honoring astronomer Dr. Vera Rubin in the American Women Quarter Program. Her work has received national recognition, including awards such as Best Historical Coin of the Year at the COTY Awards, and has been acknowledged by institutions like the Smithsonian. Christina's illustrations have been featured in prestigious exhibitions and publications including Society of Illustrators West, Spectrum Fantastic Art, ImagineFX, and 3x3 Magazine. Her ongoing personal series, Animals From History, reimagines iconic historical figures as whimsical animal characters. With over 25 unique illustrations, the project has captured media attention from outlets such as ABC News, Juxtapoz Magazine, Mental Floss, and My Modern Met. Beyond her professional practice, Christina serves as the Department Head of Illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design, where she finds constant inspiration in mentoring the next generation of artists. Find out more at: www.ChristinaHess.com and www.AnimalsFromHistory.com

358. Ian Randal Strock Talks the Amazing History of Punctuation Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast 7 days ago7 days ago Write a comment 102 plays102 View all likes2 Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast 285 followers 285 359 tracks 359 In the beginning, there was no punctuation. Texts were written so that their letters ran together withnospacesorpunctuation and without any distinction between lowercase and capitals. It was up to the reader to discover where each word or sentence ended and the next began. Then, through orators and actors, marks were made to show pauses and stops and emphasis, and thus punctuation was born. Ian Randal Strock is the perfect guest for this topic. As a successful editor, author, and publisher, he has taken it upon himself to thoroughly research the history of punctuation and why it is so important to literature. In this interview, Ian discusses his book “Punctilious Punctuation,” and how bad punctuation is an immediate turn-off for an editor or reader. This leads to the importance of knowing the rules before breaking them. What is the solution for the current wave of language devaluing…especially as we witness on social media texting? The back cover copy says you will laugh and you will cringe, and this is certainly true. So, enjoy this very fun episode. BTW, ever wonder why commas and periods always must be inside quotation marks? Learn more at ianrandalstrock.com/

359. Christina Hess, Head of Illustration at Ringling College, Exploring the Value of Art School and AI's Impact on Illustration Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast, Christina Hess, L. Ron Hubbard, John Goodwin, Ringling College of Art and Design 4 hours ago4 hours ago Write a comment 30 plays30 Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast 285 followers 285 359 tracks 359 Christina Hess is the Department Head of Illustration at Ringling College of Art & Design. In this interview, we discuss the value of art school and the impact of AI on art. Christina is an illustrator known for blending historical and natural themes across a wide range of projects. Her portfolio includes everything from numismatic designs (the study of coins, tokens, medals, and paper money) to illustrated cookbooks, rendered in various media such as graphite, watercolor, oil, and digital. Two 2026 United States coins will feature designs by Christina. The new quarter showcases scientist Dr. Vera Rubin. She also designed a new $1 coin depicting Native Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui as part of the Native American $1 Coin Program. Christina's illustrations have been featured in publications such as the Society of Illustrators West, Spectrum Fantastic Art, ImagineFX, and 3x3 Magazine. And if that's not enough, she is a wonderful person, and her students at Ringling are extremely fortunate to have her! Learn more at www.christinahess.com/about

SYRACUSE ARTIST WINS INTERNATIONAL ILLUSTRATION CONTEST Upcoming Hollywood Awards Event HOLLYWOOD, CA - Syracuse, Utah artist Tray Streeter is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest earning him a trip to Hollywood for a week-long master-class workshop, an awards event and his illustration will be published in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42. Tray Streeter grew up in Syracuse, Utah. Like many children, he spent much of his childhood drawing, though he was especially interested in still lifes. That fascination with technique deepened in his teenage years after he received a set of oil paints for Christmas, leading him to study the works of John Singer Sargent and Caravaggio. Portraiture became his passion, one that continues to influence his work today. It was not until adulthood, when he began working digitally, that he turned his attention to sci-fi and fantasy art. The genre offered him the freedom to create artworks that exist beyond reality. Influenced by artists like Frank Frazetta and Alex Ross, he aims to combine both the drama and technique of classical painting with the sleek, contemporary possibilities of digital art. Currently, Tray is attending Weber State University, pursuing a BFA in Art with a 2D emphasis. After graduation, he hopes to continue his studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Ultimately, he aspires to illustrate for Dungeons & Dragons, work on cover illustration for comics, and develop his own original concepts. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. The Illustrators of the Future Contest judges include, Bob Eggleton (11 Chesley Awards and 9 Hugo Awards), Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons book covers), Echo Chernik (graphic designs for major corporations including Celestial Seasonings tea packaging), Rob Prior (art for Spawn, Heavy Metal comics and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ciruelo (Eragon Coloring Book). Following the 1982 release of his internationally acclaimed bestselling science fiction novel, Battlefield Earth, written in celebration of 50 years as a professional writer, L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future (writersofthefuture.com) in 1983 to provide a means for aspiring writers of speculative fiction to get that much-needed break. Due to the success of the Writers of the Future Contest, the companion Illustrators of the Future Contest was inaugurated five years later. In the 42 years of the Writers of the Future Contest, there have been 571 winners and published finalists. The past winners of the Writing Contest have published 2,000 novels and nearly 6,300 short stories. They have produced 36 New York Times bestsellers, and their works have sold over 60 million copies. In the 37 years of the Illustrators of the Future Contest, there have been 418 winners. The past winners of the Illustrating Contest have produced over 6,800 illustrations, 390 comic books, graced 700 books and albums with their art, and visually contributed to 68 television shows and 40 major movies. The Writers of the Future Award is the genre's most prestigious award of its kind and has now become the largest, most successful, and demonstrably most influential vehicle for budding creative talent in the world of speculative fiction. Since its inception, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contests have produced 41 anthology volumes

Ruby Lovell is an award-winning journalist, dynamic show host, and accomplished author whose career bridges the worlds of entertainment, media, and storytelling—making her the perfect guest for this podcast. Born in Sri Lanka, she has lived in the UK and the US and has traveled the world. We originally met at the Hollywood Christmas Parade, where Ruby was a media attendee. Ruby next attended and brilliantly covered that year's Writers of the Future Awards gala, creating a wonderful video segment on the event with her acclaimed series Right On LA! with Ruby Lovell. In this interview, we discuss her career as a journalist for the BBC and NTD News, her creation of a travel show sponsored by the BBC, and her transition into children's book authorship.

Ruby Lovell is an award-winning journalist, dynamic show host, and accomplished author whose career bridges the worlds of entertainment, media, and storytelling—making her the perfect guest for this podcast. Born in Sri Lanka, she has lived in the UK and the US and has traveled the world. We originally met at the Hollywood Christmas Parade, where Ruby was a media attendee. Ruby next attended and brilliantly covered that year's Writers of the Future Awards gala, creating a wonderful video segment on the event with her acclaimed series Right On LA! with Ruby Lovell. In this interview, we discuss her career as a journalist for the BBC and NTD News, her creation of a travel show sponsored by the BBC, and her transition into children's book authorship.

Send us a text Anthony Freda is an accomplished educator, artist, and activist whose creative journey shaped by moral reckoning and bold shifts in perspective ultimately led him to Jesus and a renewed focus on Christian art. A tenured professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Freda has built a distinguished career as an award-winning illustrator, with work featured in major publications such as The New Yorker, Time, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. His art is showcased in a permanent exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial, and he has been honored by The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and American Illustration. Known for his provocative, politically charged imagery, Freda blends vintage American ephemera with modern commentary, using his work as a platform for cultural critique and creative activism. His StoryHe began his career in advertising, notably working on the infamous Joe Camel campaign. When the FTC ruled the campaign illegal for marketing cigarettes to children, Freda experienced a profound moral awakening that led him to leave advertising behind. He went on to work with prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, but it was his work on an OpEd piece for The New York Times promoting the Iraq War that sparked another ethical reckoning. Realizing he had gone from selling cigarettes to selling war, Freda transitioned once more, joining the early alternative media movement in the 2000s.Freda's work has often pushed boundaries, both politically and artistically. His art is part of the permanent collection of the 9/11 Museum and Memorial in New York, where his piece is one of the only works that questions the official narrative of the events of 9/11. His ten-year tenure with Infowars as an illustrator and writer further cemented his place in the world of controversial alternative news, and he has been vocal about his role in the space.Freda's work, especially his art, continues to stir debate. In 2024, an author in Germany faced legal consequences for simply posting one of his book covers on social media, and Freda himself has been extensively censored for his dissent against the official COVID-19 narrative. He has even been flagged as a potential domestic terrorist for his critical stance and controversial imagery. One of his most notable works is a covert illustration for The Wall Street Journal in 2025, where he secretly adorned Xi Jinping's tie with skull motifs as a subtle critique of global politics.In 2024, Freda worked as an illustrator and media consultant for RFK Jr.'s Super-Pac, AV24, further cementing his role in the political and media landscape. However, in recent years, Freda has pivoted his artistic focus towards Christian art. After decades of political commentary, he now sees the battle as spiritual and has committed to dedicating much of his creative work to Christ, producing original pieces as a devotion to his faith.Freda is also working on an ambitious project called Jesus Park, a sculptural earthen garden designed as a peaceful space for prayer and meditation. The project aims to provide a tranquil setting for spiritual reflection and devotion.To explore his ongoing projects, including his Christian art, visit his website: AnthonyFreda.com, https://www.instagram.com/anthonyfredaart/,The Thought Crimes of Anthony Freda - Book PreviewConnect with Angie Taylor on:IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrsangietaylor/?hl=enFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090424997350

Our latest guest is Maya Ackerman — AI‑creativity researcher, professor, and author of Creative Machines: AI, Art & Us (Wiley), as well as founder of WaveAI and LyricStudio (View recent colab with NVidia).Maya's perspective is not just insightful — it's a necessary reality check for anyone building AI today. She challenges the comforting narrative that AI is a neutral tool or a natural evolution of creativity. Instead, she exposes a truth many in tech avoid: AI is being deployed in ways that actively diminish human creativity, and businesses are incentivized to accelerate that trend.Her research shows how overly aligned, correctness-first models flatten imagination and suppress the divergent thinking that defines human originality. But she also shows what's possible when AI is designed differently — improvisational systems that spark new directions, expand a creator's mental palette, and reinforce human authorship rather than absorbing it.This episode matters because Maya names what the industry refuses to admit. The problem is not “AI getting too powerful,” it's AI being used to replace instead of elevate. Businesses are applying it as a cost-cutting mechanism, not a creative amplifier. And unless product leaders intervene, the damage to creativity — and to the people who rely on it for their livelihoods — will become irreversible.Listen to the Episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YoutubeWe're engineering a global creative regression and pretending we aren't.Generative AI could radically expand human imagination, but the systems we deploy today overwhelmingly suppress it. The literature is unequivocal:* AI boosts creative output only when tools are intentionally designed for exploration, not correctness.* When aligned toward predictability, AI drives conformity and sameness.* The rise of “AI slop” is not an insult — it's the logical outcome of misaligned incentives.* New evidence shows that AI-assisted outputs become more similar as more people use the same tools, reducing collective creativity even when individual outputs look “better.”* Homogenization is measurable at scale: marketing, design, and written content generated with AI converge toward the same tone and syntax, lowering engagement and cultural diversity.* Repeated reliance on AI weakens human originality over time — users begin outsourcing ideation, losing confidence and capacity for divergent thought.Resources:* The Impact of AI on Creativity: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395275000_The_Impact_of_AI_on_Creativity_Enhancing_Human_Potential_or_Challenging_Creative_Expression* Generative AI and Creativity (Meta-Analysis): https://arxiv.org/pdf/2505.17241* AI Slop Overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI_slop* Generative AI Enhances Individual Creativity but Reduces Collective Novelty:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11244532/* Generative AI Homogenizes Marketing Content:https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/5367123.pdf?abstractid=5367123* Human Creativity in the Age of LLMs (decline in divergent thinking):https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.03703 BOTTOM LINE: If your product optimizes for correctness, brand safety, and throughput before originality, you are actively contributing to the global collapse of creative quality. AI must be designed to spark—not sanitize—human imagination.Thanks for reading Design of AI: Strategies for Product Teams & Agencies! This post is public so feel free to share it.Award-winning creative talent is disappearing at scale, and the trend is accelerating.The global creative workforce is shrinking faster than at any time in modern history. Companies claim AI is “enhancing creativity,” yet most restructuring reveals the opposite: AI is being deployed primarily to cut labor costs. In general, layoff announcements top 1.1 million this year, the most since 2020 pandemic.What's happening now:* Omnicom announced 4,000 job cuts and shut multiple agencies — Reuters reporting: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/omnicom-cut-4000-jobs-shut-several-agencies-after-ipg-takeover-ft-reports-2025-12-01/* WPP, Publicis, and IPG executed multi-round layoffs across design, writing, strategy, and production.* Digiday interviews confirm AI is used mainly to eliminate junior and mid-level creative roles: https://digiday.com/marketing/confessions-of-an-agency-founder-and-chief-creative-officer-on-ais-threat-to-junior-creatives/The most important read on the future & destruction of agencies comes from Zoe Scaman. She always brings a powerful and necessary mirror to the shitshow that is modern corporate world. Read it here:Freelancers and independent creatives are being hit even harder:* UK survey: 21% of creative freelancers already lost work because of AI; many report sharply lower pay — https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2025/03/report-finds-creative-freelancers-hit-by-loss-of-work-late-pay-and-rise-of-ai/* Illustrators, motion designers, and concept artists report declining commissions as clients adopt Midjourney-style pipelines.* Voice actors face shrinking bookings due to synthetic voice models.* Stock photography, stock audio, and digital concepting have been heavily cannibalized by tools like Midjourney, Runway, and Suno.The research into AI shows even deeper risks:* The Rise of Generative AI in Creative Agencies — confirms agencies deploy AI for margin protection rather than creative innovation: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2%3A1976153/FULLTEXT03.pdf* IFOW/Sussex study shows AI exposure correlates with lower job quality and salary stagnation for creatives: https://www.ifow.org/news-articles/marley-bartlett-research-poster---ai-job-quality-and-the-creative-industriesBOTTOM LINE: Creative roles are vanishing because AI is being optimized for efficiency rather than imagination. If we want creative industries to survive, AI must expand human originality — not replace the people who produce it.:** Creative roles are vanishing because AI is being deployed for efficiency rather than imagination. If we want a future with vibrant creative industries, AI must be designed to amplify human originality — not replace it.Please participate in our year-end surveyWe are studying how AI is restructuring careers, skills, and expectations across product, design, engineering, research, and strategy.Your responses influence:* the direction of Design of AI in 2025,* what questions we investigate through research,* what frameworks we build to help leaders adapt—and protect—their teams.Take the survey: https://tally.so/r/Y5D2Q5Understand your cognitive style so you know how to best leverage AI to boost youThe Creative AI Academy has developed as an assessment tool to help you understand your creative style. We all tackle problems differently and come up with novel solutions using different methods. Take the ThinkPrint assessment to get a blueprint of how you ideate, judge, refine, and decide. Knowing this will help you know in which ways AI can boost —rather than undermine— your originality. For me it was powerful to see my thinking style mirrored back at me. It gave structure to what enhances and undermines my creativity, meaning I better understand what role (if any) AI should play in expanding my creative capabilities. Thank you to Angella Tapé for demonstrating this tool and presenting the perfect next evolution of Dr. Ackerman's lessons about needing AI to be a creative partner, not cannibalizer. BOTTOM LINE: Without cognitive self-awareness, you're not “partnering” with AI—you're surrendering your creative identity to it. Take the ThinkPrint assessment and redesign your workflow around human-led, AI-supported thinking.We are trading away human intellect for productivity—and the safety evidence is damning.The research is now impossible to ignore: AI makes us faster, but it makes us worse thinkers.A major multi-university study (Harvard, MIT, Wharton) found that users with AI assistance worked more quickly but were “more likely to be confidently wrong.”Source: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4573321This pattern shows up across cognitive science:* Stanford and DeepMind researchers found that relying on AI “reduced participants' memory for the material and their ability to reconstruct reasoning steps.”Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.01832* EPFL showed that routine LLM use “led to measurable declines in writing ability and originality over time.”Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.00612* University of Toronto researchers warn that repeated LLM use “narrows human originality, shifting users from creators to evaluators of machine output.”Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.03703In other words: we are outsourcing the exact cognitive muscles that make human thinking valuable — creativity, reasoning, comprehension — and replacing them with pattern-matching convenience.And while we weaken ourselves, the companies building the systems shaping our cognition are failing at even the most basic safety expectations.The AI Safety Index (Winter 2025) reported:“No major AI developer demonstrated adequate preparedness for catastrophic risks. Most scored poorly on transparency, accountability, and external evaluability.”Source: https://futureoflife.org/ai-safety-index-winter-2025/A companion academic review by Oxford, Cambridge, and Georgetown concluded:“Safety commitments across leading LLM developers are inconsistent, largely self-regulated, and often unverifiable.”Source: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2508.16982We are weakening human cognition while trusting companies that cannot prove they are safe. There is no version of this trajectory that ends well without deliberate intervention.Resources:* The Hidden Wisdom of Knowing in the AI Era: * A Critical Survey of LLM Development Initiatives: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2508.16982* Future of Life AI Safety Index (Winter 2025): https://futureoflife.org/ai-safety-index-winter-2025/* Supporting Safety Documentation (PDF): https://cdn.sanity.io/files/wc2kmxvk/revamp/79776912203edccc44f84d26abed846b9b23cb06.pdfBOTTOM LINE: Tools that reduce effort but not capability are not accelerators—they are cognitive liabilities. Product leaders must design for mental strength, not dependency.Schools are producing prompt operators, not original thinkers.Education systems are bolting AI onto decades-old learning models without rethinking what learning is. Instead of cultivating reasoning, imagination, and embodied intelligence, schools are teaching children to rely on AI systems they cannot critique.Resources:* UNESCO: AI & the Future of Education: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/ai-and-future-education-disruptions-dilemmas-and-directions* Beyond Fairness in Computer Vision: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/wc2kmxvk/revamp/79776912203edccc44f84d26abed846b9b23cb06.pdf* AI Skills for Students: https://trswarriors.com/ai-education-preparing-students-future/BOTTOM LINE: If we do not redesign education, we will create a generation of humans who can operate AI but cannot outthink, challenge, or transcend it.Featured AI Thinker: Luiza JarovskyLuiza Jarovsky is one of the most essential voices in AI governance today. At a time when global AI companies are actively pushing to loosen regulation—or bypass it entirely—Luiza's work provides a critical counterbalance rooted in human rights, safety, law, and long-term societal impact.Why her work matters now:* She exposes the structural risks of deregulated AI adoption across governments and corporations.* She documents how weak or performative governance puts vulnerable communities at disproportionate risk.* She offers practical frameworks for ethical, enforceable AI oversight.Follow her work:BOTTOM LINE: If you build or deploy AI and you are not following Luiza's work, you are missing the governance lens that will define which companies survive the coming regulatory wave.Recommended Reality ChecksTwo critical signals from the field this week:* Ethan Mollick on the accelerating automation of creative workflowshttps://x.com/emollick/status/1996418841426227516AI is quietly outperforming human creative processes in categories many believed were “safe.” The speed of improvement is outpacing organizational awareness.* Jeffrey Lee Funk on markets losing patience with empty AI narrativeshttps://x.com/jeffreyleefunk/status/1996612615850676703Investors are separating real AI value from hype. Companies promising transformation without measurable impact are being punished.BOTTOM LINE: The creative and product landscape is shifting beneath our feet. Those who don't adapt—intellectually, strategically, and operationally—will lose relevance.Final Reflection — Legacy Is a Product DecisionEverything in this newsletter points to a single, unavoidable truth:AI does not define our future. The product decisions we make do.We can build tools that:* expand human originality,* strengthen cognitive resilience,* elevate creative careers,* and produce a generation capable of thinking beyond the machine.Or we can build tools that:* replace the creative class,* hollow out human judgment,* weaken educational outcomes,* and leave society dependent on systems controlled by a handful of companies.As product leaders—designers, strategists, researchers, technologists—we decide which future gets built.Legacy isn't abstract. It's the cumulative effect of every interface we design, every shortcut we greenlight, every metric we reward, and every model we deploy.If you want to build AI that strengthens humanity instead of diminishing it, reach out. Let's design for human outcomes, not machine efficiency.arpy@ph1.ca This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit designofai.substack.com

Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast 284 followers 284 356 tracks 356 Megan O'Russell is a YA author who transitioned from a successful career in theater to writing. We met on a panel at Dragon Con and agreed to do this podcast. We discuss her journey, the importance of storytelling, and the differences between traditional and indie publishing. Megan shares insights on empowering authors, navigating the editing process, and the significance of world-building in fantasy literature. We also explore the handling of romance and sexuality in YA, the supportive nature of the indie author community, and provide valuable advice for aspiring writers. Megan discusses her YA novel, “Ember and Stone,” which is a compelling example of YA romance and empowerment. Great examples of dealing with profanity without using profanity. Megan has set up a code to allow listeners to discover her fantastical worlds. All you need to do is go to meganorussell.com/discount/FUTURE50, add any ebook to your cart (no complete collections as they're already sold at a discount), and the code will be applied to each single ebook at checkout.

Jim Nettles is a well-established author of science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction. However, in this interview, we delve into another aspect of Jim, as the founder of Author Essentials and Author Essentials Workshops. In this interview, we discuss his book, “Business Essentials for Writers”, and he shares his unique perspective on failure, emphasizing that not trying is the true failure. Additional topics include: - To be successful, though, you've got to understand how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together. - The “myth of the starving artist.” - Four focuses: Mindset; strategy; Tactical Actions; Operational Actions - We discuss the various types of editors and why you might need them. We also clarify editors vs. beta readers - In the new world of self-publishing, why are editors still important - Publicity: obscurity is the enemy of the author Learn more at jamespnettles.com/

Der Drache Tabaluga, die drei Freunde Maus, Hahn und Schwein und der ganze Hof Mulllewapp: Die Figurenwelt von Helme Heine ist groß. Nun ist der in Bayern und Neuseeland lebende Illustrator und Kinderbuchautor mit 84 Jahren gestorben. Christoph Leibold im Gespräch mit seinem guten Freund Peter Maffay /

Bestselling fantasy author Katie Cross is one of the most comfortable authors I have ever read. “Miss Mabel's School for Girls” is the first book in the Network Series. In this episode, Katie shares her journey as a writer, the inspiration behind her books, and the importance of engaging with readers. She discusses her unique approach to storytelling, character development, and the magic system in her works. Katie emphasizes the significance of mindset in overcoming challenges and the value of self-publishing. The conversation also explores the balance between family life and a writing career, as well as the impact of conventions on reader engagement. She can be found at katiecrossbooks.com/

In this week's episode we are joined by Avery Fischer UdagawaAvery Fischer Udagawa grew up in Kansas and studied English and Asian Studies at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. She holds an MA in Advanced Japanese Studies from The University of Sheffield. She has studied at Nanzan University, Nagoya, on a Fulbright Fellowship, and at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies, Yokohama. She writes, translates, and works in international education near Bangkok, where she lives with her bicultural family. She volunteers as Global Translator Coordinator in the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.Buy Avery's most recently translated book here:The Village Beyond the Misthttps://bookshop.org/a/19191/9781632063922Support the show

Josie Moore grew up in the valley town of Westfield, Massachusetts with a voice that wouldn't work and a brain filled to bursting. Paranoid by the world and abandoned by those around her, she turned to art in her time of hiding. When she was scared, she wrote about it. When she cried, she drew comforting pictures. With the inability to pinpoint and process her own emotions, she used art and storytelling as her communication, turning her fear into something beautiful. Nowadays, she can finally leave her bedroom, but never without a sketchbook by her side. She attends the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in hopes of getting her BFA in Illustration. She spends her days doodling elves, bears, and silly little faeries and nights writing, planning, and…hopefully writing some more. Finally having an outlet to put all her obsessive, creative energy, she dreams of one day showing even the deepest crevices of her mind with her odd love stories and twisted mysteries. The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 43rd year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. Nathan Deiwert, an illustrator led by a desire to craft worlds, creates imaginative creatures and characters that coincide with one another. Deiwert is driven to come up with new ways to develop familiar concepts in the form of paintings, digital illustrations, and visual development. From fear-inducing entities to happy moments, he creates work with thought and explores new ideas. For Deiwert, active research is a considerable portion of the process of the creation of his art; be it artistic influences past and present, anatomy or cultures. His favorite influences are presently Frank Frazetta, Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth and Maxfield Parrish. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few.

Subrahmanian Seshadri, who goes by “Sesh,” is the CEO of Overleaf Books LLP and a member of the Educational Publishers Forum of the International Publishers Association, representing India, a country with a population of 1.4 billion. We discuss Writers and Illustrators of the Future and its importance to creative individuals in India. Sesh see's the value of the Contests for teh 213,000,000 middle school students. Both Contests are perfect fits for India, and we hope that new Indian voices will be discovered for the international stage.

Subrahmanian Seshadri, who goes by “Sesh,” is the CEO of Overleaf Books LLP and a member of the Educational Publishers Forum of the International Publishers Association, representing India, a country with a population of 1.4 billion. We discuss Writers and Illustrators of the Future and its importance to creative individuals in India. Sesh see's the value of the Contests for teh 213,000,000 middle school students. Both Contests are perfect fits for India, and we hope that new Indian voices will be discovered for the international stage.

To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments from past conversations with illustrators Brian Rea, Maira Kalman, Barry Blitt, Edel Rodriguez, and Christoph Niemann. These excerpts explore how ideas drive style, how collaboration and constraint shape the work, and how a single image can speak fast and stay with you.Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new story by Yaseem AmroYasmeen Amro is a Jordanian-American-Palestinian writer currently living in Jordan. She is a finalist for the Ron L Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future. She enjoys beading, baking, and writing. 

Discover the visionary world of Jean Henri Gaston Giraud—also known as Gir but better known as Moebius, a master of cosmic comics—in this podcast episode. Join us for an interview with his children, Nausicaa and Raphael, as they discuss the enduring legacy of their father, a trailblazer whose surreal artistry reshaped science fiction. We met at the France Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair and recorded at the Galaxy Press booth discussing his legacy as well as their own stories with their father. Moebius co-founded Heavy Metal Magazine and served as a founding judge for Illustrators of the Future, even illustrating Jo Beverly's story in Writers of the Future Vol. 4. His seminal "The Long Tomorrow" ignited Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, with Scott later confessing, "You see it everywhere... you can't get away from it." George Lucas hailed Moebius's "sheer beauty" in designs for Willow, while Hayao Miyazaki, a lifelong friend, credits Arzach's "awesome sense of space" for inspiring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind—echoed in the name of Giraud's own daughter. Visit https://www.moebius.fr/ and https://www.instagram.com/moebius_production/?hl=en

HOLLYWOOD - Sarasota, Florida native Zaine Lodhi, was honored at the L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards Event in Hollywood as the grand prize winner in the Illustrators of the Future Contest earning him the Golden Brush Award trophy and a cash prize of $5,000 in addition to having his art published in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 38. Zaine is a 2018 graduate of Booker High School as well as a recent graduate of Ringling College majoring in Illustration. The awards event at the Taglyan Complex on April 8th was a black-tie gala honoring all the writer and illustrator winners as well as announcing the grand prize writer and illustrator winners. The official release of the anthology was April 12th. However, due to paper shortages, the trade paperback will be released on June 28th. In his acceptance speech, Zaine relayed to the nearly five hundred attendees, “I don't think I would have made it this far if it hadn't been for my girlfriend, Haley Burton, whom I'd like to thank. She would tell me, ‘You need to get better at managing your time. Just do it.' Thank you for encouraging me to stick with it. It means so much to me. From now on, every morning, I will continue to do what I do.” Zaine Lohdi was born in 1999 in the seaside tourist town of Sarasota, Florida. He feels as if his path as an illustrator was predestined—he has known the trajectory of his life since childhood. Zaine was surrounded by incredible fantasy art from a young age, collecting Magic: The Gathering cards and whatever comics he could get his hands on. The art of Frank Frazetta, Alex Ross, and Gerald Brom were pivotal in his stylistic development. Zaine is currently studying illustration with a visual development (concept art) focus at Ringling College of Art and Design. He placed the most importance on programs that value an unwavering work ethic and emphasize preparation for the workforce. He has a strong classical painting background fostered by professors who specialize in figure and landscape painting—he combines traditional painting and drawing skill sets with his visual library to produce concept art for games and film. Currently, he is a student freelance illustrator looking to join a studio and make a mark in the video game industry upon graduation. The Contest, one of the most prestigious illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 34th year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction. N. V. Haskell is an award winning speculative fiction writer. Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines (please check out the publications link at the bottom) and she is a Writers of the Future winner, published in Volume 38. She is currently querying two novels and writing a third with plans to self publish a YA fantasy by the end of 2023. N. V. can be found at Comic Cons or Renaissance Fairs donned in her favorite costumes, reading multiple books at a time, running badly, travelling, or teaching yoga. She lives somewhere between civilization and haunted caves with her long-suffering spouse, rescue pets, and generations of squirrels that she can't help but feed. After many years in healthcare, she continues to be stubbornly (or foolishly) optimistic. Find out more at,... NVHaskell.com

Discover the visionary world of Jean Henri Gaston Giraud—also known as Gir but better known as Moebius, a master of cosmic comics—in this podcast episode. Join us for an interview with his children, Nausicaa and Raphael, as they discuss the enduring legacy of their father, a trailblazer whose surreal artistry reshaped science fiction. We met at the France Pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair and recorded at the Galaxy Press booth discussing his legacy as well as their own stories with their father. Moebius co-founded Heavy Metal Magazine and served as a founding judge for Illustrators of the Future, even illustrating Jo Beverly's story in Writers of the Future Vol. 4. His seminal "The Long Tomorrow" ignited Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, with Scott later confessing, "You see it everywhere... you can't get away from it." George Lucas hailed Moebius's "sheer beauty" in designs for Willow, while Hayao Miyazaki, a lifelong friend, credits Arzach's "awesome sense of space" for inspiring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind—echoed in the name of Giraud's own daughter. Visit www.moebius.fr/ and www.instagram.com/moebius_production/?hl=en

Jeffrey Morris is a writer, director, and founder of FutureDude Entertainment, a production company that blends dazzling creativity with innovative storytelling. His goal … rekindling the human spirit through science fiction. He has produced an amazing documentary entitled THE EAGLE OBSESSION and is here in our Hollywood office as part of his screening tour. We discuss the purpose of the documentary: Reinspire that future that didn't happen, addressing modern dystopia as a loss of hope after the Apollo program was halted once we walked on the moon. eagledocumentary.com/

Becca Lee Gardner is one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet! In this episode, she shares her origin story of the Dragon Champion series, born from the ritual of bedtime tales spun for her children. This is the first time writing children's books has been discussed on this podcast. We also cover how one deals with force and conflict in books written for children ages 5-12. It is quite different than adult books – which she also writes. Learn more about Becca at https:beccaleeg.com/

Zach Poulter was raised amidst the sagebrush and potato fields of rural Idaho. His childhood was spent exploring the nearby Snake River, volcanic buttes, sagebrush desert, and the many abandoned homes and vehicles lodged in unexpected places by a catastrophic flood. He now lives the glamorous lifestyle of a middle school band teacher, and also freelances as a saxophonist and composer. When not teaching and making music, he writes all varieties of speculative fiction, with a special affinity for dark, suspenseful fantasy and hopeful horror. Zach lives in Utah with his marvelous wife, four clever children, and not-quite-enough saxophones. Brenda Posey was only three years old when she witnessed aliens invading from the sky over her own front yard. Even though the spaceships turned out to be spotlights on clouds, nothing could dampen her excitement over the question: “What if?” Growing up in Huntsville, Alabama, listening to the earth-rumbling sounds of rocket engines being tested, she dreamed up additional “what ifs.” A few of those questions inspired her to write science fiction short stories in high school and college. “What if” then led her to pursue degrees in both biology and computer science. After working as a researcher and programmer, she left the corporate world to raise two awesome kids with her also-awesome husband. Reading her husband's extensive, slightly dusty library of classic science fiction novels opened a whole new world of “what ifs” for her. She returned to writing, drawing on her background in the sciences to craft her own versions of reality. When not plotting novels and short stories, Brenda can be found rehabbing a mid-century house, forging hot steel into almost-recognizable objects, advocating for Oxford commas, and singing in choir. She continues to watch the skies at night because… well… What if aliens actually show up? The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 42nd year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 42nd year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. The Illustrators of the Future Contest judges include, Bob Eggleton (11 Chesley Awards and 9 Hugo Awards), Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons book covers), Echo Chernik (graphic designs for major corporations including Celestial Seasonings tea packaging), Rob Prior (art for Spawn, Heavy Metal comics and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ciruelo (Eragon Coloring Book). Following the 1982 release of his internationally acclaimed bestselling science fiction novel, Battlefield Earth, written in celebration of 50 years as a professional writer, L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future (writersofthefuture.com) in 1983 to provide a means for aspiring writers of speculative fiction to get that much-needed break. Due to the success of the Writers of the Future Contest, the companion Illustrators of the Future Contest was inaugurated five years later.

April Solomon was born in 1983 and raised in Laguna Beach, California. Since she was a small child, April has had a talent for drawing and painting. She would draw anything and everything that came into her imagination. Of all things, she drew dragons the most! Thankfully, her loving and encouraging family inspired her to embrace her love for the arts. She grew up around art. Her father's art studio was filled with all the delights a child could indulge. His bookshelves held stacks of art books containing illustrations from the old masters, the golden age illustrators, and even some fantasy art from the TSRs Dungeons and Dragons. Inspiration came in many forms. Fortunately it was everywhere! and so her career as a young artist began. Today April is an illustrator and fine artist who has earned her bachelor's degree in illustration at the Laguna College of Art and Design. April's passion for learning the old masterful techniques of traditional drawing and painting are precisely what inspires her work. Among her love for the fine arts is her unique appreciation for whimsical fantasy, which adorns every image of her portfolio. April's meticulous creature designs aim for what is known as “fantastic realism.” A clever, concise understanding of anatomy, plants, and mysterious textures weave their way into her illustrations, leaving the viewer guessing at origins, influences, and ancestry. April's work allows the viewer to dive imaginatively deeper, and reconsider whether dragons might be real or whether werewolves exist to stalk the streets at night. When not illustrating, April attends garage sales to unearth buried treasures, runs and lifts weights, or braves as many haunted attractions as possible during the month of October. Find out more about April here,... AprilSolomonArt.com BOB EGGLETON Award-winning Artist & Illustrators of the Future Judge – Biography Bob Eggleton was born in Concord, Massachusetts in 1960 and became interested in science fiction art at an early age. Today he is a successful science fiction, fantasy and landscape artist. Winner of nine Hugo Awards and eleven Chesley Awards, his art can be seen on the covers of numerous magazines, professional publications and books in the world of science fiction, fantasy and horror across the world including several volumes of his own work. He has also worked as a conceptual illustrator for movies and thrill rides. Of late, Eggleton has focused more on private commissions and self-commissioned work. He is an elected Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists and is a Fellow of the New England Science Fiction Association. Bob Eggleton received the L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in 2019. He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 1988.

Matthew Wolf is the creator of the epic adventure-fantasy series The Ronin Saga. He is releasing the fifth book in the series, “Heart of Flesh.” In this episode, we explore how he transforms myth into vivid reality, with the Ronin—a once-legendary team of nine, each with specific powers—now returning over a thousand years later. Each volume introduces another of the Ronin as the series progresses. His introduction of the nine dragons in this fifth volume adds rich depth and sets the stage for an epic good-versus-evil showdown. Matthew discusses his secrets for crafting compelling novel arcs that seamlessly contribute to the overarching story, revealing his approach to pacing that keeps readers hooked. We also discuss the Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contests and the impact of past masters, such as L. Ron Hubbard, as inspiration for authors like Matthew. Follow Matthew at www.matthewwolfauthor.com.

Matthew Wolf is the creator of the epic adventure-fantasy series The Ronin Saga. He is releasing the fifth book in the series, “Heart of Flesh.” In this episode, we explore how he transforms myth into vivid reality, with the Ronin—a once-legendary team of nine, each with specific powers—now returning over a thousand years later. Each volume introduces another of the Ronin as the series progresses. His introduction of the nine dragons in this fifth volume adds rich depth and sets the stage for an epic good-versus-evil showdown. Matthew discusses his secrets for crafting compelling novel arcs that seamlessly contribute to the overarching story, revealing his approach to pacing that keeps readers hooked. We also discuss the Writers & Illustrators of the Future Contests and the impact of past masters, such as L. Ron Hubbard, as inspiration for authors like Matthew. Follow Matthew at www.matthewwolfauthor.com.

In this episode, we dive into the world of artificial intelligence with Stone Sanchez, the publisher of Spare Oom Press and a passionate computer geek. Stone is not only a technologist but also an avid reader, writer, and musician. Join us as we explore the growing influence of computer intelligence and its implications for creatives. Stone shares his insights on the threats AI poses to writers and artists and offers practical solutions to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Roddy Taylor is a former high school science teacher, who decided to become a full-time artist and illustrator. He and his wife moved to Ellensburg six years ago after his son was born and fell in love with the place. Since deciding to go full-time with his art, he has developed his previous love for mythology, nature, and fantasy themes. His most recent accolades involve winning Best of Show at the Kittitas County Fair twice. His work has shown often at Gallery One in Ellensburg, including a solo show in the Fall of 2024. It was a fairly short wordcount bio. Find out more about Roddy at,… RoddyTaylorArt.com The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. HOLLYWOOD, CA - Tooele, Utah artist Ms. Karah Richardson is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest earning her a trip to Hollywood for a week-long master-class workshop, an awards event and her illustration will be published in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. The Illustrators of the Future Contest judges include, Bob Eggleton (11 Chesley Awards and 9 Hugo Awards), Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons book covers), Echo Chernik (graphic designs for major corporations including Celestial Seasonings tea packaging), Rob Prior (art for Spawn, Heavy Metal comics and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ciruelo (Eragon Coloring Book).

Craig Miller, the first Director of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm Ltd., played a pivotal role during the creation of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. As a publicist, writer, producer, and innovator, Craig crafted groundbreaking ways to engage and grow the Star Wars fanbase, helping cement its place as a cultural phenomenon. Beyond Star Wars, Craig has been a key figure in the Writers of the Future contest since its inception, and he shares insights from its early days. We also discuss Craig's book, Star Wars Memories: My Time in the (Death Star) Trenches, a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories from his time in the Star Wars universe. From accidental mishaps to industry-defining moments, Craig's tales are as entertaining as they are revealing. In this episode, we explore: 1. How Craig landed the dream job of Director of Fan Relations for Star Wars. 2. The scope of his role and what it meant to be the bridge between Lucasfilm and its passionate fans. 3. His favorite interviews with Star Wars legends like Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. 4. Memorable filming locations and what made them stand out. 5. The hilarious and chaotic story of how Craig accidentally shut down the state of Illinois' telephone system. 6. The epic saga of Kenner vs. Hasbro and the licensing misstep that rivals publishers rejecting Harry Potter. 7. The impact and legacy of the Star Wars comics.

Author : Stephannie Tallent Narrator : Katie Gill Host : Denise Sudell Audio Producer : Jeremy Carter First published in Writers and Illustrators of the Future Vol 40, April 2024 Domestic Violence. Mention of past attempted rape. Life and Death and Love in the Bayou by Stephannie Tallent It was the February the rain fell […] Source

Vanessa Stoilova's story is one every illustrator needs to hear. From mobile games to children's books and surface design, she has built a thriving career by learning what works and what definitely doesn't. Too many artists unknowingly sabotage their own success, and Vanessa lays out the five biggest mistakes she sees over and over again. You'll walk away from this conversation with practical, doable steps to start getting hired for the kind of work you dream about. In this episode, you'll… Learn why specializing is more powerful than trying to do it all Create a follow-up system that opens doors to real opportunities Find out how to align your art with the needs of your market For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/374

Award-winning graphic novelist Stan Yan joins me to talk about his debut late middle-grade graphic novel, The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang (out September 30, 2025). We dig into his creative journey, the highs and lows of publishing, and what it really takes to bring a graphic novel to life.Stan also shares how embracing authenticity fuels his storytelling—and why representation matters. Plus, parents, librarians, and educators won't want to miss the giveaway at the end: a chance to win a school visit from Stan himself.Episode Timestamps 00:19 Welcome to Write It Scared Podcast 01:29 Introducing Stan Yan: Background and Journey 03:22 The Many Misfortunes of Eugene Wang 07:22 Challenges and Inspirations in Writing 17:49 The Writing and Illustrating Process 25:07 Pressure Testing Your Story Idea 25:19 Outlining and Collaborating on Your Pitch 26:22 Knowing If Your Idea Works as a Graphic Novel 27:29 The Role of Illustrators in Graphic Novels 31:10 Starting Small with Graphic Novels 32:14 The Long Journey of Creating a Graphic Novel 34:32 Representation in Graphic Novels 37:41 Fighting Imposter Syndrome 39:43 Creating for Yourself First 42:47 Upcoming Projects and How to Connect 45:22 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLinks and Contact info: JOIN THE STREET TEAM WIN SWAG! →  TEAM MISFORTUNEStan YanGraphic Novelist, Caricature Artist & InstructorRepresented by Ann Rose at Tobias AgencyBook me for an author visit at The Booking Tree2022 SCBWI Florida Portfolio Excellence Award WinnerKidlit art instructor at The Cuddlefish AcademyAuthor/Illustrator of 2025 JLG Selection, THE MANY MISFORTUNES OF EUGENIA WANG (Atheneum (S&S), Coming September 2025)Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/wis https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

With her thought-provoking novels, Nancy Kress, acclaimed science fiction author and winner of six Nebulas, two Hugos, a Sturgeon, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, blends cutting-edge science with profound human questions. In this episode, we dive into her celebrated works, starting with “Beggars in Spain,” a gripping exploration of bioengineering, and “Tomorrow's Kin,” where complex scientific concepts challenge readers to expand their vocabulary and imagination. We discuss how Nancy masterfully weaves real science into her narratives, her approach to tackling humanity's response to intelligent extraterrestrial life, and the craft of writing compelling science fiction that resonates with both heart and mind. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, this episode offers a fascinating look at what it takes to create authentic, thought-provoking sci-fi. nancykress.com/

Join Jake Parker, Lee White, and Anthony Wheeler for a discussion about Google's AI storybook app, a recently rediscovered N.C. Wyeth mural, and a children's book that can detect color blindness.  3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Today's guest is Wulf Moon, who many of you already know from any of our past three interviews since he was on as a Writer winner in Volume 35 back in 2019 with his short story “Super Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler.” Wulf Moon won his first writing award at the age of 15 and has now won over 60 awards in writing and 30 in public speaking. He remains one the biggest supporters and promoters of Writers of the Future. As you can deduce from the title of this episode, we discuss tools you can use to raise the bar of your storytelling to new lofty heights. You can find him at driftweave.com/

Join us as Nev March, the first Indian-born winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America Award for a First Crime Novel and 2024 NY Chapter chair, shares her journey into murder mystery. A departure from our usual SF&F, we explore new genres, as top authors recommend reading broadly.

It's time for an update! Samantha Cotterill, Lee White, and Anthony Wheeler share what they're working on and the lessons they're learning in the process. Tune in to discover how to listen to your creative voice and maintain play in your illustration practice. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Why this sector also has back-of-house roles that call for talents from all walks of life. Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Find out why job seekers should not just think of front-facing guest roles in this sector, as host and ST correspondent Tay Hong Yi chats with Ms Adeline Phua, managing lyf partner and vice-president for business development at Ascott, the lodging business of CapitaLand Investment. You may have come across lyf (pronounced life) properties, that are creatively designed. It is known for its appeal to young travellers and inventive activities for guests. Ms Phua argues why hospitality is something Singaporeans should look deeper into, beyond just traditional or stereotypical job roles associated with the sector. Do you have to be an extrovert to work in hospitality? No. Not everyone has to be interacting with guests on the frontline, with a surfeit of meaningful roles behind the scenes in areas including facilities management, designing and sustainability. Highlights (click/tap above): 3:23 Kombucha-brewing classes, world record attempts and other memorable guest activities 6:10 Hospitality roles in SG: Is there room to improvise? 13:23 The range of roles and skills needed at a company like lyf 16:54 Wanted: Ex-kindergarten teachers, ex-zoo professionals, illustrators, content creators? 20:49 How’s the sector holding up in this current economy? Read Tay Hong Yi's articles: https://str.sg/w6cz Follow Tay Hong Yi on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/AAxy Host: Tay Hong Yi (hytay@sph.com.sg) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim & Natasha Liew Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here: Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3 Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9 Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #headstartSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast, Lydia Sherrer, L. Ron Hubbard 341. Lydia Sherrer Writing Urban Fantasy with Snarky Humor by UFO Paranormal Radio

Nicole “NV” Haskell was a Writers of the Future winner in Volume 38 with her fantasy short story, “The Mystical Farrago.” Her recent novel, “The Malice of Moons and Mages,” is an epic fantasy novel, first in a series, where Nicole creates a world filled with magic but with special rules and laws. In this episode, we discuss how to world-build a magical realm and the importance of staying true to the system you have created. We also discuss Nicole's special journey as an author, including her Writers of the Future win and subsequent workshop in Hollywood. Learn more about Nicole at nvhaskell.com.

Is your website looking dusty? Jake Parker, Sam Cotterill, and Lee White discuss the proper care and feeding of your portfolio site. 3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.

Send us a textIn a time when stories are under siege, especially those that center queer characters and themes, we're seeing a rise in book bans and legislative efforts aimed at erasing LGBTQ+ experiences from classrooms and libraries. Just last month, The U.S. Supreme Court handed a victory to Montgomery County parents who object, for religious reasons, to the school system's use of LGBTQ+ themed books in classrooms, saying parents should be allowed to opt their children out of such classes. Today In the Den, Sara is joined by Lee Wind, advocate, educator, and author whose work helps fill the shelves with stories LGBTQ+ youth so deeply need. Special Guest: Lee WindLee Wind's superpower is stories – true and fictional – that center marginalized kids and teens and celebrate their power to change the world. Closeted until his 20s, Lee writes the books that would have changed his life as a young gay kid. His Masters Degree from Harvard didn't include blueprints for a time machine to go back and tell these stories to himself, so Lee pays it forward with a popular blog with over 3 million page views (I'm Here. I'm Queer. What The Hell Do I Read?) and books for kids and teens.His latest book is Red and Green and Blue and White, a picture book illustrated by Caldecott-winning illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky (Levine Querido.) It has received five starred trade reviews and the New York Times called it “beautiful.” Lee's middle grade nonfiction No Way, They Were Gay? Hidden Lives and Secret Loves (Lerner Publishing Group/Zest Books), was honored as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection and was selected for the Chicago Public Library's 2021 Best of the Best Books list. He is also the author of the crowd-funded YA novel Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill, featured as a Publishers Weekly Indie Success Story, and one of Publishers Weekly's Top Five Independently Published Middle Grade and Young Adult Books of 2018. With day jobs for the Independent Book Publishers Association (as their director of education and programs) and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (as their official blogger), Lee's superhero job is storytelling to empower readers to shine with their own light. Links from the Show: Lee's website: https://www.leewind.org/ Lee's books: https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=lee+wind  Subscribe to Lee's newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/fc7b55fc0636/leewindsignup Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.orgSupport the showConnect with Mama Dragons:WebsiteInstagramFacebookDonate to this podcast

Ingrid Sanchez, also known as CreativeIngrid, is a Mexican-British artist based in London. Celebrated for her vibrant, nature-inspired paintings, Ingrid uses her art to explore the connection between the natural world and the human spirit. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for color, movement, and the organic beauty of flowers, foliage, and celestial motifs.Ingrid primarily works with watercolors, inks, and acrylics on paper, using bold, expressive brushstrokes to bring her vision to life. Through constant experimentation, she reinterprets the elements found in gardens and forests, creating artwork that invites viewers to see the world from a fresh perspective—one where nature and spirit converge.Since 2016, Ingrid has been painting professionally, selling her original artworks to collectors worldwide and licensing her designs for a wide range of products. Her watercolors have been featured in art prints, stationery, home décor, textiles, and more, with collaborations including brands like Tervis, The Happy Planner, Makers Collective, and Moonpig.Ingrid has led workshops in the USA, Mexico, and Europe, sharing her unique approach to watercolors and mixed media. In addition, her published works include contributions to Watercolor Techniques for Artists & Illustrators (2019) and her own book, DIY Watercolor Christmas (2021). Her dynamic style has been spotlighted in leading publications, including Artists & Illustrators Magazinehttps://ingridsanchez.com/Online school: https://watercolorfoundations.com/@creativeingrid on InstagramWe talked about:Her childhood experiences of creativity – and magic.Her techniques including brush dancingCreative evolution and the different media she works inHer passion for the moonWomen's circlesMagic, intuition and playfulnessTeaching and learning – and how one often becomes the otherIntention and ritual at every part of the creative and selling process.In the Extended Episode just $3/ month on www.patreon.com/lucyhpearce we dive deeper into:Watercolour technique and her innovative use of masking fluidWater as a living thing and how she infuses the magic of water into her paintingsHer experience creating a bookWe mentioned:Burning WomanCreatrix: she who makesDr Masuro Emoto – The Hidden Messages in WaterFull Circle HealthGather: A Celebration of Women's CirclesCyanotype Sun print paperDIY Watercolor ChristmasThe Beat of Your Own Drum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brittany “Bea” Jackson illustrated the New York Times bestselling picture books, “Parker Looks Up,” about America's First Lady, and LeBron James's “We Are Family,” and her own “Lilly's Dream,” which she both wrote and illustrated. She is a former grand prize winner of the Illustrators of the Future Contest and was published in “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 24.” She has been a judge since 2021. We discuss how she developed her style as a self-taught artist, having begun as a fan fiction artist. We also discussed how she was discovered by a major publisher finding her through social pages. Visit www.beagifted.com/

Tom Wood is a fantasy art illustrator among the best-selling poster artists in the US and Canada. We met at the Dragon Con in Atlanta 10 years ago, where he exhibited at a booth next to ours. We became friends, then great friends. We also appreciated his desire to help other artists. We invited him and he has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 2021. In “Writers of the Future Volume 41,” he wrote an article titled “An Artist's Path,” describing his journey from very humble beginnings to being one of the most successful poster artists in North America, which we discuss in this episode. Learn more about Tom and his art at tomwoodfantasyart.com/

Besides being a stalwart of The Habit Membership for Writers, Meredith Davis is the founder of the Austin Texas chapter of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. And she’s the author of the middle-grade novel series, The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor. The Minor Miracle was published in 2024; The Minor Rescue was published earlier this year. In this episode, Meredith speaks with Jonathan Rogers about her long road to publication, as well as her longstanding practice of hospitality to other writers.Support the show: https://therabbitroom.givingfuel.com/memberSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Terry Brown, former director of The Society of Illustrators, about his time at the Society; what's behind the Society's disparity between men and women award-winners; how life is made up of many different but connected chapters; and more.Learn more about The Society of Illustrators by visiting societyillustrators.org.Artists mentioned in this episode include: Bob Peak, Norman Rockwell, Charles Dana Gibson, Steve Brodner, Anita Kunz, Yuko Shimizu, Bernie Fuchs, Al Hirschfeld, Robert Weaver, Murray Tinkelman, Joe Ciardiello, Mark English, Roger Kastel, Diane Dillon, Violet Oakley, Jessie Willcox Smith, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Florence Scovel Shinn, May Wilson Preston, E. Simms Campbell, Reynold Ruffins, and Rube Goldberg If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.