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Vampires, Werewolves, Dungeons and Dragons Top Themes for Largest Speculative Fiction Contest for New Writers

Posted on: Thursday, 22 October 2009, 15:02 CDT

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Apparently ghouls, goblins and even wizards are no match for vampires, werewolves, dungeons and dragons for today's upcoming fiction writers.

A two-year survey of thousands of entries for the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest - the world's largest and oldest for speculative (science fiction and fantasy) fiction - shows vampires first, dungeons and dragons second, and werewolves third. Wizard stories were a close fourth.

In making the announcement, K.D. Wentworth, Writers of the Future Contest coordinating judge and first reader, said, "It seems to suggest that some fantasy themes may be more enduring than others."

"Originality is the key element to a story being selected as a finalist in the Writers of the Future Contest," warns Wentworth. "So picking a popular theme doesn't mean a story will be picked."

"You need a good imagination to be a successful writer, so I'll lean towards the most creative entry every time."

Now in its 26th year, the Writers of the Future Contest began in 1984 and attracts entries worldwide in science fiction and fantasy. Twelve quarterly winners receive prize monies and, along with selected finalists, are published in an annual anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future (Galaxy Press).

Inspired by multiple New York Times' best-selling author L. Ron Hubbard, the merit-based Writers of the Future Contest was initiated by him to discover and encourage talented beginning writers of science fiction and fantasy.

Wentworth recommends that prospective writers, visit www.writersofthefuture.com for more information or on how to enter the quarterly contest.

SOURCE Writers of the Future Contest

Source: PR Newswire

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