HOLLYWOOD, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Writers of the Future has announced its newly upgraded website http://www.writersofthefuture.com which makes accessing the site much faster and easier. "But the best news,'' stated Joni Labaqui, the Contests' Director, ''is that entries for the writing contest and illustrating contest can now be submitted online." A move that she said, ''will make it much easier for aspiring writers and illustrators from around the world to participate.''

It had been apparent for some time that the cost to mail a submission from many countries made entering the contest prohibitive for those whose writing and art should be submitted. And for the aspiring writer or artist still feeling the effects of a down economy, the cost of a hard copy story print out or quality art print out and postage, made entering the contest unreal.

"This change will markedly expand the playing field,'' continued Labaqui, ''allowing the best in speculative fiction stories to be sent in from English speaking writers world over." And for the illustrator contest, "it is even more exciting as art has no language barrier and we expect a significant increase in entries from all countries."

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future is already known for publishing the hottest new talent of speculative fiction. The series continually receives high marks and was again praised this year in a Publishers Weekly starred review stating that the anthology was, ''Always a glimpse of tomorrow's stars.''

As has been the case since its inception, there is no entry fee for either writing contest or illustrating contest entries and contestants retain rights to their work.

The Writers of the Future contest was created by L. Ron Hubbard in 1983 as a means of allowing the newcomer a chance to have their works seen. Based on its success, a companion Illustrators of the Future contest was also created. And this program has provided that starting point for so many careers. Over 600 writers and illustrators have seen their name in print over the 25 years of the contests' history. And hundreds of contestants have continued with now-successful careers. At last count, there have been over 700 novels, including New York Times bestsellers, and over 3,000 short stories that have been published by contest winners. In addition to continuing on in the field of speculative fiction, several have gone on to publish in genres such as mystery and romance, to write for TV and motion pictures and to become editors and critics.

For more information on the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests, go to http://www.writersofthefuture.com.

    Contact:
    John Goodwin
    Galaxy Press
    323-466-7815
    jgoodwin@galaxypress.com

SOURCE Writers of the Future