Advertise on podcast: Writers of the Future Podcast

USA Today bestselling author Lucy McConnell (center) and co-author Erica Penrod (left) at FanX in Salt Lake City's Salt Palace Convention Center on the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast. Dressed in authentic Western attire, the duo shares their inspiring journeys into fiction writing, balancing large family dynamics with their passion for storytelling, and their unique creative harmony as co-authors. The conversation focuses heavily on their contemporary series, Leather and Lies, set on the fictional Gritstone Ranch. The authors explain how they engineered a unique "epic Western" concept by adapting a fantasy-style magic system driven by three core pillars: the deep spiritual connection with horses, the power of inherited bloodlines, and a visceral tie to the land. They also touch on the rigorous, athletic reality of modern rodeo life and how their personal ranch backgrounds bring authenticity to every chapter. Finally, Lucy and Erica reflect on reading L. Ron Hubbard’s pulp fiction western classics, Cattle King for a Day and King of the Gunmen, noting surprising structural similarities to their own fast-paced, character-driven style. Aspiring writers will walk away with actionable advice on navigating critique groups, attending conferences, and finding the momentum to publish independently. Learn more about: Lucy McConnell at https://lucymcconnell.com/ and Erica Penrod at https://www.facebook.com/p/Author-Erica-Penrod-61553706946737/

Host John Goodwin celebrates the landmark 400th episode of the podcast in Salt Lake City at Fan X with dynamic father-son writing team Dan and Robert Zangari. Together, they are the creative minds behind the epic fantasy universe Legends of Calda and the founders of LOK Publishing. In this session, Dan shares how his background as an aerospace engineer initially led him to map-making and storytelling as a creative mental escape. Robert details his own evolution into a meticulous, detail-oriented writer, drawing from early childhood memories of his father’s world-building to later refining those original maps from a professional cartographic perspective. The duo discusses their unique collaborative writing hierarchy, how their engineering backgrounds push them to design logical, rule-based magic systems, and the profound impact the late, legendary David Farland (Dave Wolverton) had as a mentor on their careers. They also share vital industry advice on indie publishing, cover design typography, and why authors must create a final product indistinguishable from traditional publishing houses to succeed.

Legendary convention planner Ben Yalow explores the fascinating history, evolution, and cultural impact of science fiction and fantasy fandom on the Writers of the Future Podcast. Ben shares his incredible origin story, detailing how legendary editor John W. Campbell personally dragged him into fandom at a New York convention in 1971. The conversation dives into the definition of fandom, tracking its roots back to the reader letter columns of 1926 and the earliest conventions of the late 1930s. Ben addresses the perceived divide between classic literary sci-fi conventions and massive modern pop-culture events like DragonCon, arguing that the community exists on a continuum without the need for strict, divisive boundaries. Listeners will also be treated to legendary behind-the-scenes stories from the Golden Age of science fiction. Ben recounts the historic background of the prestigious Big Heart Award and reveals the humorous true story of how John W. Campbell used magazine subscription address changes to deduce the secret location of the Manhattan Project before the FBI arrived at his door. It is a must-listen episode for any aspiring creator looking to connect with the history of their craft. To subscribe to Ben's history site, go to https://thebenyalowproject.substack.com/

Multi-genre Canadian author, emergency room physician, and past winner from Volume 16, Dr. Melissa shares her incredible journey of balancing a demanding medical career and family life while publishing over 25 novels. Melissa dives deep into her creative process behind her medical crime series starring Dr. Hope Sze. She details her latest release, Killing Me Slothily, which brilliantly weaves the medical realities of a hospital emergency room with the dark supernatural terror of H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos. Listeners will get an inside look at how she utilizes real-world medical research, practical tools for overcoming low-productivity seasons, and advice from mentors like Dean Wesley Smith to keep her creative momentum going. Finally, she gives a sneak peek into her upcoming 2027 Jane Austen-inspired fantasy project, Sense and Sword Agility.

Discover how independent authors can navigate the massive hurdle of book discoverability in today's crowded market. In this episode, industry veteran Kimberly Fakih, a professional book reviewer with decades of experience at top trade publications like Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, and School Library Journal, discusses the critical roadblocks indie authors face and why traditional gatekeeping limits new voices. Kimberly introduces her new initiative, Open Shelf Reviews, a service specifically designed to decentralize publishing control and put self-published authors, small presses, and illustrators back on the map. She explains how modern library acquisition policies strictly rely on trade reviews to justify purchases and defend against rising book censorship. Listeners will learn how to leverage constructive, professional critiques as an evergreen marketing tool to successfully pitch local bookstores and build their readerships.

Award-winning hard science fiction author and Volume 28 Contest winner William Ledbetter discusses his journey from the aerospace defense industry to becoming a celebrated storyteller. Ledbetter shares how his real-world work on aircraft and the International Space Station fueled his passion for space-based narratives, eventually leading to his Nebula Award-winning novelette The Long Fall Up and his gripping, AI-centric Level Five trilogy. The conversation explores the chilling, near-future realities of generative artificial intelligence, the intersection of human ego and technology, and the delicate process of blending factual science with creative fiction. Finally, Ledbetter shares his essential advice on patience, consistency, and building a professional routine to help aspiring writers survive the grueling publishing process. Learn more at http://www.williamledbetter.com/.

In this episode of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast, host John Goodwin interviews public historian, editor, and author Stuart Rosebrook live from the Western Writers of America Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Recently inducted as the president of the Western Writers of America and serving as Editor at Large for True West Magazine, Stuart shares indispensable industry insights gathered across decades of print media and historical research. The conversation addresses the biggest hurdle facing modern authors: discoverability. Stuart breaks down how authors must remain nimble by finding multiple ways to pitch a single story, utilizing Amazon’s categorical metadata tagging system to stand out, and building direct relationships with book reviewers. He also outlines the crucial elements of a historical manuscript, noting why writers must fight their publishers to include bibliographies and endnotes. Finally, the discussion dives into the exciting evolution of Western literature. Stuart explains how classic cowboy values are moving forward into modern regional mysteries and highlights the organization's groundbreaking new submission categories, including graphic novels and alternate Westerns—a blending of genres that encompasses sci-fi, horror, and fantasy variants.

What happens when you look past Hollywood mythology to uncover the true history of the American frontier? In this episode of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast recorded on-site at the WWA Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, historical author, archivist, and Executive Director of the Western Writers of America (WWA), Kellen Cutsforth, dives deep into the realities behind famous historical icons, from the true setting of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral to Buffalo Bill Cody’s massive impact on global culture. Cutsforth shares his personal journey as an archivist, discussing how true history can read with the gripping pace of fiction. The episode highlights breaking news for authors: WWA's newly introduced Spur Award category for "Alternative Westerns," celebrating speculative fiction, weird westerns, and sci-fi mashups. Learn more about Kellen Cutsforth and the Western Writers of America at https://westernwriters.org/.

In this episode, Johnny D. Boggs, author of over 50 novels, discusses his writing career from the Western Writers of America Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Praised as one of the best Western writers at work today, Boggs holds a record ten Spur Awards, the highest honor in the Western genre and making him the most award-winning Western author. The conversation dives deep into Boggs' acclaimed novel, Northfield, alongside a broader look at his prolific journey as a storyteller. From his early days growing up in South Carolina on the tail end of the television Western craze to becoming a master of the craft, Boggs shares unique insights into his inspiration and creative process. Goodwin and Boggs also explore the enduring legacy of the Western genre. They discuss its historical roots, its global appeal across hundreds of countries, and why these stories of the open frontier continue to captivate modern readers and writers alike. Learn more at https://johnnydboggs.com/

Ted Olczak, president of Printed Word Reviews, offers invaluable insights into the competitive world of independent publishing. The discussion dives into the strategic importance of literary awards and book reviews. Ted shares expert guidance on navigating programs like the Independent Press Award and the New York City Book Award. Listeners will learn how these accolades can significantly boost an author's visibility and credibility. Additionally, the episode covers the crucial role that professional book reviews play in a book's marketing. Whether you are an aspiring writer or an established indie author, this conversation provides actionable tips to help your work stand out in a crowded marketplace.

From Power Rangers to bestselling novels, Neo Edmund shares how he overcame Hollywood development hell, built a writing career through indie publishing, and proves that compelling story always outweighs perfect prose. Essential listening for aspiring writers and storytellers. In this episide we discuss his first novel, "A Tale of Red Riding: Rise of the Alpha Huntress" which inspired the podcast topic. Learn more at www.neoedmund.com

Alex Shvartsman’s newest release, “The Best of All Possible Planets,” reads as a homage to Voltaire’s “Candide,” a satire of philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, invoked whenever characters face horrific events to highlight the absurdity of ignoring reality in favor of blind optimism. "All for the best in the best of all possible worlds." We also discuss Mission Earth Volume One, and Alex sees the Voltar confederacy as named after Voltaire, who L. Ron Hubbard considered a master of satire in the introduction to Mission Earth. We discuss Alex’s allure to satire, how he writes, and the social value of the sub-genre of comedy space opera. Learn more at https://alexshvartsman.com.

Owen Cotter is a radio host and on-camera presenter. He has appeared on major media such as ESPN, VH1, SiriusXM, Real Scene TV, and William Shatner’s My Outer Space TV. He is also the owner of SciFiction.com, the Hugo- and Nebula-award-winning SciFi literary project formerly owned by the SyFy Channel. ScyFiction.com showcases geek-chic news, reviews, interviews, events, and articles, and publishes the works of relevant artists and authors, becoming the go-to place for up-to-date news for the SciFi and Fantasy community.

As the Director of IngramSpark, Paige Allen has built the platform into a global print-on-demand and ebook distribution solution for authors who want to self-publish their works and provide hard-copy distribution to its massive network of over 40,000 retailers, libraries, and online stores, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Key features include: • Global Distribution: Reaches major international markets through extensive wholesale networks. • Format Variety: Prints high-quality paperbacks, hardcovers, and diverse trim sizes. • Wholesale Pricing: Allows authors to set standard discounts, making books attractive to physical bookstores. • Free Title Setup: Offers no-fee standard book creation to lower upfront costs. Learn more at www.ingramspark.com.

In this episode, Sarah Bean, Marketing Manager at Book Launchers, discusses the rapidly evolving world of self-publishing and provides quality advice on how to navigate getting your voice heard over the din of other authors wanting to be heard as well. Visit booklaunchers.com and check out what they have to offer for FREE for seven days .