24 Award-Winning Authors and Illustrators Accompanied by Orson Scott Card, Brandon Sanderson, Jody Lynn Nye, Jerry Pournelle, Ciruelo and Echo Chernik and Edited by David Farland Your search for something new and different in sci-fi and fantasy ends here. Presenting this year’s collection of fresh voices, fabulous worlds, and fantastic new characters. Each year, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests’ blue-ribbon judges search the world to discover and introduce to you the very best new talent in sci-fi and fantasy. Created by L. Ron Hubbard, whose commitment to help new writers and artists gave rise to the annual Writers of the Future anthologies—a launching pad for writers and artists who are sure to command our attention for decades to come. “Writers of the Future, as a contest and as a book, remains the flagship of short fiction.” —Orson Scott Card “The best new stories by new writers, anywhere.” —Larry Niven “These are the people who are going to be creating trends.” —Brandon Sanderson “Science fiction as a genre has always looked to the future and the Writers of the Future looks to the future of science fiction.” —Kevin J. Anderson “See the best of the best culled for you, curated and selected in a single volume every year.” —Robert J. Sawyer Wondrous and powerful tales from some of the world’s best new writers Turnabout—Djinn are famous for twisting your words so they don’t really grant your wish, but two can play that game. A Smokeless and Scorching Fire—Deacon is a government official, and he’s afraid he’ll stay that way if he can’t break his conditioning. The Howler on the Sales Floor—It’s easy making sales when you can send images of despair into the hearts of your clients. The Minarets of An-Zabat—Alder seeks the secrets of the Windcallers’ magic, but his curiosity may destroy the people he loves. The Death Flyer—Jim Bellamy tries to save the life of a girl who died in the wreckage of a train ten years ago. Odd and Ugly—A tree giant takes in a housekeeper, but she has more secrets than either of them can handle. Mara’s Shadow—An ancient myth might provide the key to curing a disease that threatens all of humanity. The Lesson—A lesson on philosophy in action turns into a deadly encounter. What Lies Beneath—A powerful sorcerer has so disgraced himself, he is afraid of what his family will think should he ever die and meet them on the other side. The Face in the Box—Cara discovers a floating farm parked over her land, blocking the sunlight, and must confront the driver. Flee, My Pretty One—In a world controlled by dragons and their henchmen, rock singer Josephine really only wants “death to all collaborators.” Illusion—Even a court wizard will struggle to fight off armies if his weapons pack no actual punch. A Bitter Thing—You can put an end to something wondrous, but only at a cost. Miss Smokey—Lily’s ability to shift shapes into a bear offers some strange challenges. All Light and Darkness—On a far world, a nameless man meets a woman of ancient genetic stock, and when trouble follows in his wake, he must choose: her life or his humanity?

In the new world of the Runelords, a mighty evil has risen!

The first book of the saga of The Runelords Young Prince Gaborn Val Orden of Mystarria is traveling in disguise on a journey to ask for the hand of the lovely Princess Iome of Sylvarresta. Armed with his gifts of strength and perception, Prince Gaborn and his warrior bodyguard stop in a local tavern along the way. Immediately, they spot a pair of assassins who have their sights set on Princess Iome's father. As the prince and his bodyguard race to warn the king of this impending danger, they realize that more than the royal family is at risk, the very fate of the Earth is in jeopardy. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Volume Two of The Runelords Raj Ahtan, ruler of Indhopal, has used enough forcibles to transform himself into the ultimate warrior: The Sum of All Men. Ahtan seeks to bring all of humanity under his rule-destroying anything and anyone that stood in his path, including many friends and allies of young Prince Gaborn Val Orden. But Gaborn has fulfilled a two-thousand-year-old prophecy, becoming the Earth King-a mythic figure who can unleash the forces of the Earth itself. And now the struggle continues. Gaborn has managed to drive off Raj Ahtan, but Ahtan is far from defeated. Striking at far-flung cities and fortresses and killing dedicates, Ahtan seeks to draw out the Earth King from his seat of power, to crush him. But as they weaken each other's forces in battle, the armies of an ancient and implacable inhuman enemy issue forth from the very bowels of the Earth. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Discover the secrets to crafting a successful novel in this guide by a master writer & instructor and New York Times–bestselling author. Bestselling author David Farland taught dozens of writers who went on to staggering literary success, including such #1 New York Times Bestsellers as Brandon Mull (Fablehaven), Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time), James Dashner (The Maze Runner) and Stephenie Mayer (Twilight). In this book, Dave teaches how to analyze an audience and outline a novel to appeal to a wide readership. The secrets found in his unconventional approach will help you understand why so many of his authors went on to prominence. Hailed as “the wizard of storytelling,” Dave was an award-winning, international best-selling author with more than fifty novels in print, and a tireless mentor and instructor of new writers. His book Million Dollar Outlines is a seminal work teaching authors how to create a blueprint for a novel that can lead to bestseller success.

“Hot new talent.” —Locus Get to know tomorrow’s brightest creative talents chosen by some of today’s bestselling authors and celebrated artists including Kevin J. Anderson, Orson Scott Card, Larry Elmore, and Brandon Sanderson. Explore 12 diverse new universes of possibility through a variety of creative and fresh new ideas—all in one anthology. From dragons to mythical death dealers, from murder on the moon to deep space mystery, these stories bring you the hot new talent in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Discover the writers who push the boundaries—and break beyond them . . . the illustrators who envision the impossible—and render it real . . . the stories that challenge the way we see ourselves—and see the world in a new way. You’ll love this anthology because of the diversity of stories, unexpected twists and turns, and 16 full color illustrations that bring the stories to vivid life. Get it now. Bonus short stories by L. Ron Hubbard, Todd McCaffrey, and Robert J. Sawyer Art and writing tips by Anne McCaffrey, L. Ron Hubbard, and Larry Elmore “This fine collection will appeal to both fans of science fiction and fantasy short stories and aspiring writers looking for ways to improve their craft.” —Booklist About the Stories: When Gwen’s husband is found murdered, she’s the only suspect. After all, they were the only two people on the moon.—Moonlight One Flora’s father is a mech-soldier of the Slayer Class, but how much of him is really left inside the machine?—The Armor Embrace When an alien with godly intelligence is discovered watching the earth, one man must try to learn if its motives are pure.—Envoy in the Ice If you were stranded in an open boat and the only hope for rescue came from a ghost ship, would dare to ride?—The Devil’s Rescue Some gifts come with heavy price tags, and the giver must rise to the occasion.—Tears for Shülna What if an alien asks for your help with a question, and the answer affects the future of the whole human race?—The Drake Equation Barlow has a talent for finding the dead. Or do they find him.—Acquisition When Varga sets out to explore the ancient stronghold of a long- dead wizard, she discovers that the ruins aren’t as deserted as she thought.—Obsidian Spire If only that reptile in the sewer were something as predictable as an alligator.—Gator On a distant world among the cloud peaks, the light-hawks promise a rich reward for those daring enough to harvest one.—A Glowing Heart In a world where memories can be stripped, Bill discovers that he has a family he has never known.—The Long Dizzy Down Not all spirits have the best of intentions, and they must be dealt with.—The Woodcutters’ Deity You can put an end to something wondrous, but only at a cost.—The Dragon Killer’s Daughter In a life-or-death situation, sometimes you wish that you had a really powerful spell. But that begs the question—what is power?—Useless Magic Some devils are as old as a dream, and more evil than men can imagine.—Adramelech When the world needs saving, three children are called to the task.—The Fox, the Wolf, and the Dove Can an aging sorcerer find a way to track down his old nemesis with the small bit of magic he has left, or is he just fooling himself?—The Magnificent Bhajan

Book Three of The Runelords Certain works of fantasy are immediately recognizable as monuments, towering above the rest of the category. Authors of those works, such as Stephen R. Donaldson, J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind, come immediately to mind. Now add David Farland to that list, whose epic fantasy series began with The Runelords. Wizardborn continues the story of the struggle of Gaborn, now the Earth King, who has lost his powers but continues to lead his people. He must contend with the threat of the huge, inhuman Reavers, whose myriads Gaborn and his forces must now pursue across the nation. It has become Gaborn's fate to follow, even into the depths. Raj Ahten, the great warlord endowed with the strength and qualities of thousands of men, once the primary threat to Gaborn, now struggles to retain his own empire. His war of conquest thwarted, his very life is now threatened by the Reaver thousands. And a young girl, Averan, who has eaten a Reaver and absorbed some of its memories, becomes a keystone in the search for the dark Reaver lair. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.