Writers of the Future, Volume 30 Read online

  Thirteen Award-Winning Stories take you to places you’ve never been before

  On a distant world—

  Amba, a girl afflicted by a rare disease that leaves clouds in her eyes, develops the gift to do what no one else can.…

  Life on the Doleful Comet is hell. But then, that’s what it is supposed to be.…

  A mail-order bride can bring nothing with her between the stars—except all kinds of heartache and a secret hope.…

  There are many kinds of trophy hunters, but only one kind of kill.…

  In a new future—

  A cyborg forest ranger is saving the world—just not the people on it.…

  When a Supreme Court judge prepares to die, the most valuable thing that he has to bequeath are his memories.…

  A bike trail leads to a vast desert, alive in its own way, and beyond that the world is unknowable.…

  One lonely man finds out what it is like to become a god, and lose the love of those that he has created.…

  In a world like no other—

  There are only a few basic emotions, and a chemist with the right tools can create the one that could save your life, while you wait.…

  All kinds of people want to take a trip to the End of the World, but what do they hope to gain?

  As a shifter, Fat Reggie can be whoever he wants to be—but identity comes with a price.…

  Mirrors have strange powers, but only Lacra knows how to use them.…

  Most people care little for the world’s endangered species, but some would give everything for them.…

  What has been said about the

  L. Ron HUBBARD

  Presents

  Writers of the Future

  Anthologies

  “Always a glimpse of tomorrow’s stars …”

  — Publishers Weekly starred review

  “An anthology of the best of the best original science fiction short stories and illustrations from the annual Writers of the Future and Illustrators of the Future international programs.”

  — Midwest Book Review

  “Not only is the writing excellent … it is also extremely varied. There’s a lot of hot new talent in it.”

  — Locus magazine

  “A first-rate collection of stories and illustrations.”

  — Booklist magazine

  “Where can an aspiring sci-fi artist go to get discovered?… Fortunately, there’s one opportunity—the Illustrators of the Future Contest—that offers up-and-coming artists an honest-to-goodness shot at science fiction stardom.”

  — Sci Fi magazine

  “I’ve been involved in Writers of the Future since its inception more than 25 years ago—first as a contestant, then a speaker, then a judge. It is the most vibrant and exciting showcase of new talent with an undeniable success rate. If you want a glimpse of the future—the future of science fiction—look at these first publications of tomorrow’s masters.”

  — Kevin J. Anderson

  Writers of the Future Contest judge

  “Writers of the Future brings you the Hugo and Nebula winners of the future today.”

  — Tim Powers

  Writers of the Future Contest judge

  “The smartest move for beginning writers is the WotF Contest. I’ve witnessed it kick-start many a career.”

  — Gregory Benford

  Writers of the Future Contest judge

  “I really can’t say enough good things about Writers of the Future.… It’s fair to say that without Writers of the Future, I wouldn’t be where I am today.…”

  — Patrick Rothfuss

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 2002

  “Given the number of truly fine writers and careers that have been launched from the Writers of the Future platform, I always look forward eagerly to reading and judging the latest crop.”

  — Mike Resnick

  Writers of the Future Contest judge

  “Every year the Writers of the Future Contest inspires new writers and helps to launch their careers. The combination of reward, recognition, instruction, and opportunity for beginning authors is unparalleled. There is no contest comparable to the Writers of the Future.”

  — Rebecca Moesta

  Writers of the Future Contest judge

  “The Illustrators of the Future Contest is one of the best opportunities a young artist will ever get. You have nothing to lose and a lot to win.”

  — Frank Frazetta

  Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

  “The aspect I personally value most highly about the program is that of working with my fellow professionals, both artists and writers, to accomplish a worthwhile goal of giving tomorrow’s artists and writers recognition and advancement in the highly competitive field of imaginative endeavor—the only existing program that does this.”

  — Stephen Hickman

  Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

  “Illustrators of the Future offered a channel through which to direct my ambitions. The competition made me realize that genre illustration is actually a valued profession, and here was a rare opportunity for a possible entry point into that world.”

  — Shaun Tan

  Illustrators of the Future Contest winner 1993

  and Contest judge

  “The Illustrators of the Future competition has been at the forefront for many years, to support new and enthusiastic artists pursuing their dreams, and see them fulfilled.”

  — Stephen Youll

  Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

  “That phone call telling me I had won was the first time in my life that it seemed possible I would achieve my long-cherished dream of having a career as a writer.”

  — K. D. Wentworth

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 1989

  and former Contest Coordinating Judge

  “The Writers of the Future Contest has had a profound impact on my career, ever since I submitted my first story in 1989.”

  — Sean Williams

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 1993

  and Contest judge

  “The Writers of the Future Contest played a critical role in the early stages of my career as a writer.”

  — Eric Flint

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 1993

  and Contest judge

  “I only wish that there had been an Illustrators of the Future competition forty-five years ago. What a blessing it would have been to a young artist with a little bit of talent, a Dutch name and a heart full of desire.”

  — H. R. Van Dongen

  Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

  “The Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests are the best way to jump-start a career in science fiction and fantasy writing or in illustration. You win great money, make wonderful lifelong friends at the workshops, and get to learn from professionals in your field. The awards events are spectacular. Join the fun if you can, and make great connections and memories!”

  — Nina Kiriki Hoffman

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 1985

  and Contest judge

  “The Writers of the Future Contest was definitely an accelerator to my writing development. I learned so much, and it came at just the right moment for me.”

  — Jo Beverley

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 1988

  “The Illustrators of the Future Contest is more than a contest. It is truly a great opportunity that could very well change your life.
The Contest gives you the tools to think outside the box and create a niche for yourself.”

  — Robert Castillo

  Illustrators of the Future Contest winner 2008

  and Contest judge

  “The Contests are amazing competitions because really, you’ve nothing to lose and they provide good positive encouragement to anyone who wins. Judging the entries is always a lot of fun and inspiring. I wish I had something like this when I was getting started—very positive and cool.”

  — Bob Eggleton

  Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

  “These Contests provide a wonderful safety net of professionals for young artists and writers. And it’s due to the fact that L. Ron Hubbard was willing to lend a hand.”

  — Judith Miller

  Illustrators of the Future Contest judge

  “You have to ask yourself, ‘Do I really have what it takes, or am I just fooling myself?’ That pat on the back from Writers of the Future told me not to give up.… All in all, the Contest was a fine finishing step from amateur to pro, and I’m grateful to all those involved.”

  — James Alan Gardner

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 1990

  “The Writers of the Future Contest sowed the seeds of my success.… So many people say a writing career is impossible, but WotF says, ‘Dreams are worth following.’”

  — Scott Nicholson

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 1999

  “When I first set out to become a professional writer (ah, hubris), one of my key ambitions was to place in the top tier of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest.… Without Mr. Hubbard’s sponsorship, I wouldn’t have had that fabulous, high-profile launch.”

  — Jay Lake

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 2003

  “I credit the Writers of the Future Contest as an important part of my career launch, and I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to establish themselves in the field of science fiction and fantasy.”

  — Ken Scholes

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 2005

  “Knowing that such great authors as the WotF judges felt my stories were worth publishing encouraged me to write more and submit more.”

  — Eric James Stone

  Writers of the Future Contest winner 2005

  L. Ron Hubbard PRESENTS

  Writers of the Future

  VOLUME 30

  The year’s thirteen best tales from the Writers of the Future international writers’ program

  Illustrated by winners in the Illustrators of the Future international illustrators’ program

  Three short stories from authors L. Ron Hubbard / Orson Scott Card / Mike Resnick

  With essays on writing and illustration by L. Ron Hubbard / Robert Silverberg / Val Lakey Lindahn

  Edited by Dave Wolverton

  Illustrations Art Directed by Stephen Hickman

  GALAXY PRESS, LLC

  © 2014 Galaxy Press, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

  Any unauthorized copying, translation, duplication, importation or distribution, in whole or in part, by any means, including electronic copying, storage or transmission, is a violation of applicable laws.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, contact Galaxy Press, LLC, 7051 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 200, Hollywood, CA 90028.

  “Another Range of Mountains”: © 2014 Megan E. O’Keefe

  “Shifter”: © 2014 Paul Eckheart

  “Beneath the Surface of Two Kills”: © 2014 Shauna O’Meara

  “Artistic Presentation”: © 1964, 1970 L. Ron Hubbard Library

  “Beyond All Weapons”: © 2008 L. Ron Hubbard Library

  “Animal”: © 2014 Terry Madden

  “Rainbows for Other Days”: © 2014 C. Stuart Hardwick

  “Giants at the End of the World”: © 2014 Leena Likitalo

  “Carousel”: © 2012 Orson Scott Card

  originally published in 21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology (St. Martin’s Griffin)

  “The Clouds In Her Eyes”: © 2014 Liz Colter

  “What Moves the Sun and Other Stars”: © 2014 K.C. Norton

  “Long Jump”: © 2014 Oleg Kazantsev

  “These Walls of Despair”: © 2014 Anaea Lay

  “Robots Don’t Cry”: © 2003 Mike Resnick

  originally published in Asimov’s Science Fiction July 2003

  “The Shaadi Exile”: © 2014 Amanda Forrest

  “The Pushbike Legion”: © 2014 Timothy Jordan

  “Memories Bleed Beneath the Mask”: © 2014 Randy Henderson

  Illustration on pages 9 and 402: © 2014 Sarah Webb

  Illustration on pages 61 and 401: © 2014 Michael Talbot

  Illustration on pages 75, 387, 327 and 388: © 2014 Cassandre Bolan

  Illustration on pages 95, 389, 236 and 390: © 2014 Adam Brewster

  Illustration on pages 110 and 396: © 2014 Seonhee Lim

  Illustration on pages 125, 398, 281 and 399: © 2014 Andrew Sonea

  Illustration on pages 143 and 400: © 2014 Trevor Smith

  Illustration on pages 183, 391, 316 and 392: © 2014 Vincent-Michael Coviello

  Illustration on pages 197 and 393: © 2014 Kirbi Fagan

  Illustration on pages 209 and 395: © 2014 Kristie Kim

  Illustration on pages 259 and 397: © 2014 Bernardo Mota

  Illustration on pages 369 and 394: © 2014 Vanessa Golitz

  Cover Artwork: Other Worlds © 2014 Stephan Martiniere

  Interior Design: Jerry Kelly

  This anthology contains works of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Opinions expressed by nonfiction essayists are their own.

  ISBN 978-1-61986-265-4 print edition

  ISBN 978-1-61986-262-3 EPUB edition

  ISBN 978-1-61986-263-0 Kindle edition

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2014935725

  Printed in the United States of America

  Battlefield Earth is a registered trademark owned by Author Services, Inc., and is used with its permission. Writers of the Future (word and medallion) and Illustrators of the Future and its logo are trademarks owned by the L. Ron Hubbard Library and are used with permission.

  Contents

  Introduction

  by Dave Wolverton

  Another Range of Mountains

  by Megan E. O’Keefe

  Illustrated by Sarah Webb

  Shifter

  by Paul Eckheart

  Illustrated by Michael Talbot

  Beneath the Surface of Two Kills

  by Shauna O’Meara

  Illustrated by Cassandre Bolan

  Artistic Presentation

  by L. Ron Hubbard

  Beyond All Weapons

  by L. Ron Hubbard

  Illustrated by Adam Brewster

  Animal

  by Terry Madden

  Illustrated by Seonhee Lim

  Rainbows for Other Days

  by C. Stuart Hardwick

  Illustrated by Andrew Sonea

  Giants at the End of the World

  by Leena Likitalo

  Illustrated by Trevor Smith

  ... And Now Thirty

  by Robert Silverberg

  Carousel

  by Orson Scott Card

  Illustrated by Vincent-Michael Coviello

  The Clouds in Her Eyes

  by Liz Colterr />
  Illustrated by Kirbi Fagan

  What Moves the Sun and Other Stars

  by K.C. Norton

  Illustrated by Kristie Kim

  Long Jump

  by Oleg Kazantsev

  Illustrated by Adam Brewster

  These Walls of Despair

  by Anaea Lay

  Illustrated by Bernardo Mota

  Synaptic Soup

  by Val Lakey Lindahn

  Robots Don’t Cry

  by Mike Resnick

  Illustrated by Andrew Sonea

  The Shaadi Exile

  by Amanda Forrest

  Illustrated by Vincent-Michael Coviello

  The Pushbike Legion

  by Timothy Jordan

  Illustrated by Cassandre Bolan

  Memories Bleed Beneath the Mask

  by Randy Henderson

  Illustrated by Vanessa Golitz

  A Word on the Art Direction

  by Stephen Hickman

  List of Illustrations by Artist

  Writers’ Contest Rules

  Illustrators’ Contest Rules

  Introduction

  by Dave Wolverton

  David Wolverton is a New York Times bestselling author with over fifty novel-length works to his credit.

  As an author, David has won many awards for both his short stories and his novels. He won the grand prize in the third year of the Contest for his story “On My Way to Paradise” in 1987, and quickly went on to begin publishing novels. He has since won numerous awards for his longer works, including the Philip K. Dick Memorial Special Award, the Whitney Award for Best Novel of the Year, the International Book Award for Best Young Adult Novel of the Year, and the Hollywood Book Festival Book of the Year Award—among many others.

  Along the way, David has written a number of bestsellers, designed and scripted screenplays, acted as a greenlighting analyst in Hollywood and worked as a movie producer.

  David has long been involved in helping to discover and train new writers, including a number who have gone on to become #1 international bestsellers—such as Brandon Mull (Fablehaven), Brandon Sanderson (The Stormlight Archives), James Dashner (The Maze Runner) and Stephenie Meyer (Twilight).

  David currently lives in Utah with his wife and children, where he is busily writing his next novel and judging entries for L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Volume 31.