The Future Is Here. “The series successfully showcases future voices representing the vast spectrum of the speculative fiction genre.” —Library Journal “The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest has quietly been shaping the next wave of genre storytellers—with a legacy that’s as cosmic as the stories themselves.” —SciFiNow.co.uk “The gangbuster of science fiction short story collections. Outstanding.” —Midwest Book Review Discover the next generation of science fiction and fantasy with twelve emerging authors and three powerhouse storytellers. These unforgettable short stories deliver everything readers love—time travel, first contact, magical realism, monsters, fairy-tale twists, and pulse-pounding science fiction and fantasy—crafted to surprise, thrill, and keep you turning pages. Dive into a time-rescue gone wrong, a beauty treatment with a terrifying side effect, a detective battling a body-hopping killer, and a homesteader uncovering a truth that rewrites Earth itself. Explore whimsical, high-stakes fantasy as a baker braves the fairy underworld; confront supernatural horror in “Ghost Dog”; and experience the emotional and ethical tension of love trapped in virtual reality in “As Long as You Both Shall Live.” Whether you’re seeking the genre-bending innovation of “Bloom Decay,” the emotional epic of “A Girl and Her Dragon,” the humor and chaos of “The Triceratops Effect,” or the visionary mystery of “Skinny-Shins,” this volume delivers standout stories readers will recommend, review, and remember. Featuring original stories by Orson Scott Card and Nina Kiriki Hoffman. Perfect for fans of: Orson Scott Card, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Blake Crouch, Brandon Sanderson, V. E. Schwab, Naomi Novik, Michael Crichton, Ted Chiang, Ken Liu, and Black Mirror. Includes: 12 illustrated stories from emerging stars of speculative fiction 3 bonus stories by bestselling authors. 3 articles on the craft and business of writing and illustrating from top creators Selected from thousands of entries worldwide, Writers of the Future Volume 42 brings together a new generation of emerging authors and illustrators—your launchpad into the future of science fiction and fantasy.