If you’re on the hunt for your next favorite sci-fi or fantasy read—but can’t commit to just one story—Writers of the Future Volume 41 is your golden ticket. This anthology, released on April 22, is like a cosmic vending machine packed with 12 bite-sized tales of imagination run wild. Whether you’re a seasoned space cadet or a fantasy fiend, this year’s collection brings together the best new voices in speculative fiction—and boy, do they deliver.

Let’s break it down:

What’s Inside?

The L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41 releases on April 22. This is an annual science fiction and fantasy anthology of new fiction. Each year, the anthology includes includes 12 stories of science fiction and fantasy selected as the best of the year by bestselling authors Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, Nnedi Okorafor, Larry Niven, Kevin J. Anderson, Robert J. Sawyer and others. Each story is illustrated in full color by a winner of the Illustrators of the Future contest. The anthology also features the cover story from Sean Williams, a science fiction story from Tim Powers and a humorous science fiction story from L. Ron Hubbard. Additionally, there are 3 articles of writing and artist advice for those aspiring to make a path for themself.

How did it make me feel?

The Narrative

Reading Writers of the Future Volume 41 is like attending an intergalactic storytelling festival. Every page flings you into a completely new world—one moment you’re navigating alien politics, and the next you’re dodging time loops or chatting with a snarky sentient car.

This isn’t your average anthology. Each story is handpicked by literary legends like Brandon Sanderson, Nnedi Okorafor, and Orson Scott Card—so you know the bar is sky-high. And with a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and all the magical sci-fi-fantasy mashups in between, there’s truly something for every type of imagination.

Plus, we get special features: a cover story by Sean Williams (yes, that Sean Williams), a sharp sci-fi slice from Tim Powers, and even a cheeky story from L. Ron Hubbard himself that adds a dash of humor to all the high-stakes adventuring.

Bonus points for the behind-the-scenes goodies—three inspiring essays from L. Ron Hubbard, Robert J. Sawyer, and Tom Wood. These are basically treasure maps for aspiring writers and artists looking to chart their own creative futures.

The Characters

You’d think with 12 different authors, the characters might blur together. Nope. These heroes are as distinct as fingerprints on a spaceship windshield. You’ll meet a determined young constable trying to keep the peace on an alien frontier (talk about work stress!), a grumpy recluse riding cross-country with a self-aware car (the sass level is off the charts), and dozens of others that feel startlingly real—even when they’re surrounded by magic or machine mayhem.

What ties them all together? That classic, heart-tugging thread of humanity. Whether they’re human, humanoid, or somewhere in between, these characters wrestle with love, fear, identity, and impossible odds. And somehow, despite the dragons, AI, and wormholes, they feel more grounded than half the people in my group chat.

Would I recommend it?

If your TBR list is sagging under the weight of same-old, this anthology is your genre-defying savior. Writers of the Future Volume 41 doesn’t just serve stories—it launches you into orbit and hands you a telescope. It’s the perfect gateway drug to emerging talent, and the fact that each tale comes with a full-color illustration? Chef’s kiss.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of speculative fiction or just dipping your toes into the multiverse, this is the kind of collection that makes you fall in love with storytelling all over again. It’s also ridiculously giftable—ideal for bookworms, dreamers, and the cousin who won’t stop talking about building a bunker “just in case.”

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