Writers & Illustrators of the Future

What Writers & Illustrators of the Future does

Writers & Illustrators of the Future is a privately operated, endowment-funded literary development program established in 1983 and operated under Author Services, Inc. It runs two quarterly contests — the Writers of the Future Contest for unpublished science fiction, fantasy, and light-horror authors (up to 17,000 words per entry; $1,000 / $750 / $500 prizes plus a $5,000 grand prize) and the Illustrators of the Future Contest for emerging SF/F artists (three artworks per entry; $500×3 prizes plus a $5,000 grand prize). Entries are free, anonymized for judging, and the entrant retains all publication rights. Judging is performed by an established panel of award-winning authors and illustrators.

The platform is supported by several interlocking assets: a free online writing workshop (11 lessons, 16 videos, 10,000+ enrolled students across 100+ countries), a community forum with 13,000+ members and 58,300+ posts, a weekly podcast running since April 2019 with 385+ episodes, an annual Hollywood Workshop Week for winners, an annual live-streamed awards gala, and the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future anthology series (42 volumes, published by related-entity Galaxy Press). The technology stack consists of web-based contest submission (Web Portal App), online workshop delivery with video content, and the wpForo community forum — straightforward digital content infrastructure rather than a proprietary platform.

Commercially the organization is a non-profit with no disclosed financial figures; its primary revenue-visible stream is anthology sales through Galaxy Press, with operating costs (prize money, workshop travel, staff of 11–50) funded by the endowment. Outreach is content-led and community-driven through multi-channel content marketing (blog, newsletter, social, podcast, forum) and earned media from the judge panel's reputation, with global reach evidenced by winners and workshop participants from 52+ countries.

Name

Writers & Illustrators of the Future

Legal name

Author Services, Inc.

Website

https://writersofthefuture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Writers & Illustrators of the Future is a non-profit literary program (founded 1983, operated by Author Services, Inc.) running free quarterly contests for aspiring science fiction and fantasy writers and illustrators, supported by a 10,000+ student online workshop, weekly podcast, community forum, and annual anthology published by Galaxy Press, with reach across 52 countries and 1,000+ alumni published.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Literary Contests and Creative Writing Development

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Genre Writing Workshops (Sci‑Fi, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Horror) (EDAMAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fiction Writing Workshops (Short Story, Novel) (EDAMAMAA), Online & Hybrid Creative Writing Workshops (EDAMAMAL)

Keywords

• Science fiction contests
• Fantasy illustration contests
• Creative writing workshops
• Literary talent development
• Speculative fiction anthologies

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Contest Operations: The contests are free to enter and funded through the endowment created by L. Ron Hubbard. Entrants retain all publication rights. The organization operates as a nonprofit literary development program rather than a revenue-generating enterprise.
2. Anthology Sales: Published anthologies ('L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42' and prior volumes) are sold through Galaxy Press. These annual collections feature winning stories and illustrations, generating revenue while showcasing new talent.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Writers & Illustrators of the Future operates free, quarterly, anonymous-judged contests for aspiring science fiction and fantasy writers and illustrators, awarding cash prizes and publishing winners in annual anthologies. Winners attend a week-long intensive workshop in Hollywood with celebrated author and illustrator judges. The program is supported by a free online writing workshop, a weekly podcast, an active community forum, and annual awards ceremonies.

Product overview

Writers & Illustrators of the Future operates a dual contest platform for discovering and nurturing new talent in science fiction and fantasy writing and illustration. The core offerings consist of the Writers of the Future Contest (quarterly writing competition with $1,000-$5,000 prizes) and the Illustrators of the Future Contest (quarterly illustration competition with $500-$5,000 prizes). These are supported by the annual L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Anthologies (published collections celebrating winners), the Free Online Writing Workshop (intermediate-level course with video presentations from judges), the week-long Annual Workshop Week in Hollywood for winners, the weekly Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast (interviews with judges and industry professionals), the community Forum for participant discussions, and the L. Ron Hubbard On Writing Collection of essays. The program also includes an Annual Awards Gala. With over 10,000 students enrolled from 100+ countries and 1,000+ writers/illustrators published across 52 countries, the platform combines contests, education, community, and publishing into an integrated creative development ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Writers of the Future Contest Free quarterly writing contest for new (non-professional) authors of science fiction, fantasy, and light horror. Entrants submit one story per quarter (up to 17,000 words). Prizes of $1,000, $750, and $500 are awarded every three months, with an annual grand prize winner receiving the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Pen Award and an additional $5,000 cash prize. Winners are published in the annual anthology and invited to a week-long workshop in Hollywood.
• Illustrators of the Future Contest Free quarterly illustration contest for new (non-professional) science fiction and fantasy artists. Entrants submit three pieces of original art (color or black and white) per quarter. Three prizes of $500 each are awarded quarterly, and the annual grand prize winner receives the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Brush Award plus an additional $5,000 cash prize. AI-generated art is not accepted. Winners are published in the annual anthology and invited to Workshop Week.
• Free Online Writing Workshop Free intermediate-level writing course featuring 11 lessons, 16 video presentations from contest judges (David Farland, Tim Powers, Orson Scott Card), practical exercises, and essays from L. Ron Hubbard and Algis Budrys, with bonus content from Nnedi Okorafor, Kevin J. Anderson, and Robert J. Sawyer. Over 10,000 students enrolled from more than 100 countries. Participants can submit completed stories to the contest upon completion.
• L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Anthologies Annual published anthology series featuring winning stories and illustrations from the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contests. 42 volumes have been released to date (Volume 42 in February 2026), distributed through Galaxy Press. Writing winners have collectively published over 8,000 novels and short stories selling 60 million copies. Volume 40 received the American Book Fest Best Fiction Anthology award.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Galaxy PresscoreOthersRelated publishing entity that publishes the annual Writers of the Future anthology series. Galaxy Press releases volumes featuring winning stories and illustrations, making winners' works available to readers worldwide.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Arvon Foundation: UK-based creative writing charity running residential courses, retreats, and online workshops. Comparable nonprofit model, mission to develop new writing talent, and workshop-led pedagogy serving emerging writers.
• Milford Writer's Conference: Long-running professional SF/F writers' workshop/conference for critique-based novel and short fiction development. Direct peer in genre focus (SF/F), workshop format, and peer-craft-development mission.
• Clarion West Writers Workshop: Six-week speculative fiction workshop in Seattle, run by a nonprofit. Directly comparable to Writers of the Future in mission (developing emerging SF/F writers), format (intensive craft instruction), and nonprofit funding model.
• Odyssey Writing Workshop: Online/on-site speculative fiction workshop focused on craft instruction for aspiring SF/F writers. Direct peer in target audience and workshop-style pedagogy, with similar focus on launching professional careers.
• Viable Paradise Writers' Workshop: One-week speculative fiction writing workshop on Martha's Vineyard taught by published authors. Direct peer in target audience (emerging SF/F writers), intensive in-person format, and alumni publishing outcomes.
• Clarion Workshop: The most prestigious speculative fiction writing workshop in the U.S., held annually at UC San Diego. It is the closest direct peer to the Writers of the Future Contest in target audience (emerging SF/F writers) and educational mission, though it operates as an academic workshop rather than a contest with cash prizes.

Broad incumbents

• Baen Books: Major science fiction and fantasy publisher known for publishing many past Writers of the Future winners. Comparable as a downstream buyer/amplifier of W&IF alumni and as an incumbent SF/F publisher shaping career pathways for emerging writers.
• Gotham Writers Workshop: Large commercial creative writing school offering online and in-person courses across genres. Comparable as a broader competitor for aspiring writers' education spend, though not specialized in SF/F.
• Tor Books: Largest English-language SF/F publisher, frequently acquires W&IF alumni. Broad incumbent that serves the same end-market reader and signs many of the writers discovered by programs like W&IF.

Emerging players

• Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing (USM): Low-residency MFA program with a popular speculative fiction concentration. Comparable in that it serves emerging SF/F writers seeking mentorship and a publishing pathway, though delivered as a degree program rather than a contest.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/WotFContest
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WritersoftheFuture
• Facebookfacebook.com/WotFContest
• Instagraminstagram.com/wotfcontest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Writers & Illustrators of the Future