L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future XXIII by Algis Budrys

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future XXIII Reviews

• 
  Josh Morrey

  Some very intriguing, interesting, entertaining and question-posing stories populate this anthology, although I did find a few to be lacking. It is my belief, even though I enjoy fantasy writing quite immensely, that the stories in the "Writers of the FUTURE" anthologies should be limited to science fiction writing, not both. Even if the fantasy style tale is simply set on some distant planet, or far in the future, or with a blend of magic and technology, SOMETHING should set it as science fiction and not just fantasy. But this is my own opinion.
  
  Many of the authors are very talented in this anthology and some even give hope to my own meager writing that I might one day find myself within the pages of the hallowed collection.
• 
  Beau Williams

  Such a variety of stories. Some I had to force myself through. One or two made me wish for more. Still one or two were hardly worthy of the name sci-fi in my book. Still all showed talent and ability which is what matters.
• 
  Douglas

  So to contradict my humorous update the other day, I really enjoyed this collection of stories. For those of you who did not get my humor and may have even taken it seriously, all I can say is that I am very disappointed in you. You are why we can't have nice internet things. Anyways, enough public castigation!
  
  After reading several novels I find short stories refreshing. It's why I subscribe to a sci-fi magazine and why I keep one or two in my queue. There are aspects to short stories that a novel lacks, such things are features of the two forms of written media. The novel allows for greater complexity, while the short story can be more pointed in its simplicity and brevity. A novel might attempt such pointedness, but without care such points can appear preachy and repetitive.
  
  I enjoyed most of these stories, and though I was less impressed with one or two, none were in any way a result of poor writing. Perhaps I didn't see eye-to-eye with an author in some things, or perhaps I didn't share an author's particular worldview or dismissal of certain worldviews.
  
  Of my favorites in this book:
  
  "The Sun God at Down, Rising from a Lotus Blossom" by Andrea Kail is written as correspondence from what we are to gather is a clone of Tutahnkamen to a clone of Abraham Lincoln. It's fascinating, well written, and through the protagonist's eyes we get glimpses of how the world might react to such beings made for exhibition.
  
  "By the Waters of the Ganga" by Stephen Gaskell does the amazing: It weds science almost seamlessly with religion. The religion in question is Hinduism, and the story is fascinating and held my attention throughout. The struggle of the protagonist, dealing with identity, memory, and the cycle of life was inspired.
  
  "The Gas Drinkers" by Edward Sevcik on the other hand, had a bit of a pulp fiction feel to it. There was risk, twists and turns, a third person narration that turns to first person -- and a strange antagonist that is a creation of science and isolation. This one is worth reading several times.
  
  Overall this book is worth it. While you read novels and large works of non-fiction, don't overlook the short stories. Grab a book like this. It's highly worth it.
  
  
• 
  Colton

  As with any collection of short stories, some will be to your liking, while others will go beyond your preference. Read it yourself and figure out which you like.
  
  
  The Sun God at Dawn - A correspondence between a cloned King Tut and Abe Lincoln
  
  Saturn in G Minor - A student goes to visit a recluse composing the symphony of the century. Does require some knowledge of music to understand.
  
  Primetime - Time traveling reporters document major events from earth's past. And the event of a lifetime, Hiroshima, has been opened up for viewing!
  
  Pilgrimage - A man vs. nature style, where a veritable god finds himself without powers, alone on a wild planet. I personally liked the setting most in this one.
  
  The Phlogiston Age - An alternate history/steampunk set at the dawn of the first rocket to be shot into space using phlogiston. Edison's modern power company doesn't like it very much.
  
  The Waters of the Ganga - An alien finds himself reincarnated into the body of a human, and has to discover just how to find his way home.
  
  Ripping Carovella - A dystopian sketch into a world where rippers can "rip" the creativity parts out of your brain, and sell them to the rich.
  
  Our Last Words - A man who has lost everything agrees to take part in a scientific experiment. A one way trip forward in time, to the end of eternity.
  
  Obsidian Shards - A worthy entry into non-medieval Europe fantasy. A priest of the Dead in a fantasy Aztec culture tries to hunt down a murderer.
  
  The stone Cipher - Sort of an urban-fantasy Da Vinci Code. All the statues in the world are counting down. Why are they doing this? And what happens?
  
  The Frozen Sky - A First Contact story, where the humans discover primitive life on our solar system. And it isn't terribly social.
  
  Mask Glass Magic - An urban fantasy following a glass-worker who finds her new boss isn't in the business just for the money.
  
  The Gas Drinkers - A good sci-fi tale for those who love the gritty scientific details.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Mav

  Primetime (****)
  A rather fascinating premise.
  
  The Sun God at Dawn, Rising from a Lotus Blossom (****)
  I hadn't expected to like it, but the message of choice appeals to me.
  
  The Frozen Sky (*)
  I spaced out on this one.
  
  The Stone Cipher (****)
  It's a sort of SF version of a thriller about ancient and archeological artifacts.
  
  Obsidian Shards (*)
  There's a question mark next to this title in my book. It's a fantasy piece that desperate wants a novel of it's own.
  
  Ripping Carovella (***)
  How art would one, and should one go for art?
  
  Our Last Words (*****)
  A man is sent forward through time by the government to learn if nuclear war is inevitable. The ending nearly made me cry.
  
  Saturn in G Minor (***)
  Another one with an interesting premise, though the causes of the underlying tension is pretty darn easy to guess. Music talk went over my head.
  
  By the Waters of ganga (**)
  Alein life form gets reincarnated as man in Hindu-Indian lands.
  
  Pilgrimage (**)
  Galatic immortal learns what it's like to be mortal and be, dare I say it? Human.
  
  The Gas Drinkers (****)
  This story took a while to really get good.
  
  The Phlogiston Age (*)
  In alternate world where man never discovered fire until recently, a man tries to blow up the first fire-powered rocket (the first fire-powered machine, period. ). The premise might have been interested - what would a world without fire have been like, is it even possible - but the focus shifted to the MC's unrequited love for the first astronaut (a woman).
  
  Mask Glass Magic (**)
  Glassblower seeks job, ends up working with Gods? =/
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Steve Stuart

  This is a solid collection of winning entries from the annual contest for amateur sci-fi authors. A few of the stories contained some eye-raising plot gaffes or could have benefitted from an editor. But most feature really strong writing. I'm surprised that some of the authors haven't gone on to steadier writing careers.
  
  The stories are a mix of genres, with about half true sci-fi, a few fantasy, a couple of time travel stories and one alternate history. Two of them seem to have originated from the same oddly specific writing prompt: "write a story about a groundbreaking artistic performance that takes the life of the artist, and is witnessed by the artist's child".
  
  As usual, there are a few essays with advice from professionals for aspiring amateurs. The contrast between the attitudes of the mentor author and illustrator is dramatic: Kevin J. Anderson writes a sarcastic and snobby little rant insulting many would-be authors, while Judith Miller provides some spirited advice for would-be artists that is genuinely inspiring. Both have essentially the same message (you must dedicate yourself to your art, not dabble half-heartedly), but are delivered in very different ways.
• 
  Amanda

  Short story collections can be a mixed bag, especially coming from multiple authors. The Writers of the Future contest delivers quality works remarkably consistently. I found some stories in this volume stronger than others, as always, but it's more a matter of personal preference than any lack in the writing. There were none here I regret reading, and some of the authors I will definitely be looking up in hopes they've published more in the years since the release of this book.
• 
  Garrett

  There were some great stories in here. Definitely humbling. However, there were a couple that I didn't like and thought I could have done better - so there is hope ;-)
  
  I may come back and review each story individually, but for now I'm going to say that I recommend reading these stories!
• 
  Steven

  The stories I liked: The Stone Cipher, Our Last Words. The Stone Cipher, though I felt it shorts Marie-Claire's character a bit, it's clever. Our Last Words is a Time Machine derivative, short and sweet, but a good take on an old story.
• 
  Nalani Rachel

  My brother, upon seeing the book, "Is it about Scientology?"
  
  Hah!
  
  It's a pretty good anthology tho as far as sci-fi ones are concerned. Of course there was one entry by L. Ron smacking of Scientology, but the other essays by well-known authors, editors and artists were well thought out.
• 
  Falbs

  I couldn't get into the illustrations, but the wide variety of types of stories was pretty impressive. From the dark-edged 'Ripping Carovella' to the great ideas contained in 'By the Waters of the Ganga' and the epic scale of 'Pilgrimage', it led to a lot of new thinking for me.