International Writers Contest Launches Careers of Seven New York Times Bestselling Authors

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The annual L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest and anthology series now in its 26th year may be producing more successful, best-selling authors in speculative fiction than any similar publishing vehicle for new and aspiring writers, it was announced today in Hollywood.

At least seven of the 300 winning writers have made the New York Times (NYT) best-sellers' list -- Dave Wolverton (Star Wars: The Courtship of Princess Leah), Nancy Farmer (The Ear, the Eye and the Arm), Jo Beverley (A Lady's Secret), Sean Williams (Star Wars: Force Unleashed), Tim Myers (Basho and the Fox), Karen Joy Fowler (The Jane Austen Book Club) and Patrick Rothfuss (Name of the Wind).

"Each of these amazing writers got their first big publishing break after being chosen by our blue ribbon panel of writers and appearing in the annual L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future anthology," Joni Labaqui, Director of the contest, said. "No other contest is providing such a successful vehicle for future writers anywhere."

Sponsored by Author Services Inc., the literary agency that represents all of Hubbard's works, the annual Writers of the Future contest draws entrants from around the globe and is free to enter. Winners receive cash awards, qualify for a $5,000 grand prize, receive airfare to and accommodations at the contest venue, participate in a week-long professional writing workshop, and are professionally-published (often for the first time) in the annual anthology.

The Writers of the Future Contest has been honored with "The Publishers Weekly Outstanding Achievement Award" and the "Library Journal Award of Excellence" for continued work in discovering, fostering and nurturing careers of aspiring writers.

For more information on the Contest visit www.writersofthefuture.com.