The Authors Quill artist Ms. Gigi Hooper writer Lisa Silverthorne . Hosts Joe Montaldo John Goodwin

Newberg, Oregon artist Ms. Gigi Hooper is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest and was honored along with eleven other artists and twelve other writers at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California on April 25th. She illustrated the story, "Summer of Thirty Years" by Writers of the Future Winner Lisa Silverthorne. The illustration and story, along with the other writers' and illustrators' stories and art are published in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40 which will be officially released on May 7th.

Born in 1985 in East Chicago, Indiana, Peggy Hooper is a versatile artist whose creativity knows no bounds. Known in the art world by her moniker, Gigi Hooper, she's a child of the 90s, drawing early inspiration from iconic pop culture. Simultaneously, Gigi was deeply influenced by the enchanting worlds of books in young adult, children's books, and comic books which have fostered a love for sweet, fantastical, and mind-bending literature.

Gigi's artistic journey began in her childhood, her experimental nature led her to beautify and unintentionally destroy her mother's personal property. However, throughout her life, Gigi's mother remained her steadfast supporter, purchasing her first set of art supplies, which only continued to encourage her creative process.

While her path took her through diverse careers as a United States Marine and a personal trainer, Gigi eventually returned to her true calling. She completed her degree in Illustration from George Fox University and graduated with a B.A. in the field. Currently residing in Newberg, Oregon, with her husband, Gigi specializes in digital art, collage, and pencil work, although her artistic palette embraces various mediums.

Today, she continues her artistic journey, pursuing independent studies at Watts Atelier while actively engaging in freelance work, bringing her captivating visions to life one creation at a time.

Find out more about Gigi at www.gigihooper.com.

The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 41st year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction.

The Illustrators of the Future Contest judges include, Bob Eggleton (11 Chesley Awards and 7 Hugo Awards), Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons book covers), Echo Chernik (graphic designs for major corporations including Celestial Seasonings tea packaging), Rob Prior (art for Spawn, Heavy Metal comics and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ciruelo (Eragon Coloring Book).

The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few.

Following the 1982 release of his internationally acclaimed bestselling science fiction novel, Battlefield Earth, written in celebration of 50 years as a professional writer, L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future (writersofthefuture.com) in 1983 to provide a means for aspiring writers of speculative fiction to get that much-needed break. Due to the success of the Writers of the Future Contest, the companion Illustrators of the Future Contest was inaugurated five years later.

In the 40 years of the Writers of the Future Contest, there have been 559 winners and published finalists. The past winners of the Writing Contest have published 2,000 novels and nearly 6,300 short stories. They have produced 36 New York Times bestsellers, and their works have sold over 60 million copies.

In the 35 years of the Illustrators of the Future Contest, there have been 406 winners. The past winners of the Illustrating Contest have produced over 6,800 illustrations, 390 comic books, graced 700 books and albums with their art, and visually contributed to 68 television shows and 40 major movies.

The Writers of the Future Award is the genre’s most prestigious award of its kind and has now become the largest, most successful, and demonstrably most influential vehicle for budding creative talent in the world of speculative fiction. Since its inception, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contests have produced 40 anthology volumes (with this event) and awarded upwards of $1 million in cash prizes and royalties.

For more information about the Contests, go to www.WritersoftheFuture.com.
Las Vegas writer Lisa Silverthorne is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest and was honored along with eleven other writers and twelve artists at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California on April 25th. Her story, "Summer of Thirty Years," is published along with the other writers' and illustrators' stories and art in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40 which was officially released on May 7th.

Lisa Silverthorne made the biggest decision of her life in 2020. After a lifetime in Indiana, she retired early from her twenty-five-year IT career, packed up everything she owned, and drove three days west to focus on her writing in Las Vegas where she now lives and writes alongside her three feline dictators. Lisa has been writing since she could hold a pen and made her first professional fiction sale way back in 1994. Flash forward nearly thirty years and she has finally achieved a milestone she thought unobtainable: placing in the Writers of the Future Contest.

Lisa’s passion is writing. Her stories are sometimes dark because she explores things that frighten or anger her. Many times, her stories blur genre lines and change many lanes. Her work has been described as having heart because she loves writing about the connections people form in the best and worst circumstances. She also loves adding a spark of romance to her stories. Her first short-story collection was published in 2005 by Wildside Press. She considers Ray Bradbury, Theodore Sturgeon, Nora Roberts, Andre Norton, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and James Lee Burke her biggest fiction influences.

“Summer of Thirty Years” was written shortly after the death of her father. Partly an exploration of grief, this story is also an affirmation of love and friendship. It takes an unflinching look at the uncomfortable, and for some, frightening practice of burying the dead—especially someone you love. It asks the question, what if magic could undo the unthinkable, even for a little while? Would you use it no matter the cost? What would you sacrifice for those you love? Does love end at death?

The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 41st year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction.

The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender’s Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few.

The Illustrators of the Future Contest judges include, Bob Eggleton (11 Chesley Awards and 7 Hugo Awards), Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons book covers), Echo Chernik (graphic designs for major corporations including Celestial Seasonings tea packaging), Rob Prior (art for Spawn, Heavy Metal comics and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ciruelo (Eragon Coloring Book).

Following the 1982 release of his internationally acclaimed bestselling science fiction novel, Battlefield Earth, written in celebration of 50 years as a professional writer, L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future (writersofthefuture.com) in 1983 to provide a means for aspiring writers of speculative fiction to get that much-needed break. Due to the success of the Writers of the Future Contest, the companion Illustrators of the Future Contest was inaugurated five years later.

In the 40 years of the Writers of the Future Contest, there have been 559 winners and published finalists. The past winners of the Writing Contest have published 2,000 novels and nearly 6,300 short stories. They have produced 36 New York Times bestsellers, and their works have sold over 60 million copies.

In the 35 years of the Illustrators of the Future Contest, there have been 406 winners. The past winners of the Illustrating Contest have produced over 6,800 illustrations, 390 comic books, graced 700 books and albums with their art, and visually contributed to 68 television shows and 40 major movies.

The Writers of the Future Award is the genre’s most prestigious award of its kind and has now become the largest, most successful, and demonstrably most influential vehicle for budding creative talent in the world of speculative fiction. Since its inception, the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contests have produced 40 anthology volumes (with this event) and awarded upwards of $1 million in cash prizes and royalties.

For more information about the Contests, go to www.WritersoftheFuture.com.