Friday, April 5, 2024

Book Review: Writers of the Future vol. 40


Spine-tingling. Breathtaking. Mind-blowing.

Experience these powerful new voices - vivid, visceral, and visionary - as they explore uncharted worlds and reveal unlimited possibilities. Open the Writers of the Future and be carried away by stories and illustrations that will make you think, make you laugh, and make you see the world in ways you never imagined.

Writers of the Future volume 40, editted by L. Ron Hubbard, will be published May 7, 2024, by Galaxy Press. BooksGoSocial provided an early galley for review.

I have had the opportunity to check out several past volumes in this yearly anthology of new writers, and I've always managed to find a few tales in each one that I enjoy. With twelve new writers showcased as well as a trio of veterans and artists, I knew there would be a good chance at finding treasure once more.

"Nonzero" by Tom Vandermolen presents one of those grim aspects of space exploration. You can feel for Susan as she is forced to face and accept the reality of her situation. Very powerful.

"The Imagalisk" by Galen Westlake has an interesting premise revolving around people's imaginary friends that really worked for me.

"Squiddy" by John Eric Schleicher has an odd alien element that makes this orovate eye story intriguing from the jump.

"Summer of Thirty Years" by Lisa Silverthorne gives us a couple reliving their summers decades after they have long since shuffled off the mortal coil. It is a beautiful story about love and sacrifice.

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