Eagle Mountain, Utah writer Jefferson Snow has been named a winner in the internationally renowned L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, earning him a coveted spot in a week-long Hollywood master-class workshop and an exclusive awards event. His winning story, The Rune Witch, will be published in the bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Snow’s writing career, highlighting his passion for fantasy storytelling and his exploration of deep, thought-provoking themes.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN WRITER WINS INTERNATIONAL WRITING CONTEST
Upcoming Hollywood Awards Event
Eagle Mountain, Utah writer Jefferson Snow is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest earning him a trip to Hollywood for a week-long master-class workshop, an awards event and his winning story will be published in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41.
Jefferson Snow is a writer living in Eagle Mountain, Utah, where he lives with his wife and three children. In college, he majored in advertising at BYU but spent most of his time writing stand-up or sneaking into Brandon Sanderson’s 318R lectures. Both pursuits honed his writing skills, despite his preference for stories with serious tones and softer magic systems.
To Jefferson, the Fantasy genre is a grand cathedral, and he loves the gargoyles who guard its buttresses, anti-heroes like Logen Ninefingers and Tyrion Lannister. But as fun as those characters are, Jefferson believes we’re not getting enough stories about the figures still inside the nave, the everyday parishioners, the Samwise Gamgees and Neville Longbottoms of the congregation. We still need stories about ordinary people doing the right thing, especially when it’s difficult.
Like much of Jefferson’s work, “The Rune Witch” handles themes of loss, sacrifice, and temptation. Fascinated by the trope of the Faustian Bargain—like Fëanor and Melkor, Elric and Arioch, King Elias and Ineluki—Jefferson explores whether making a deal with the devil can ever be justified.
“The Rune Witch” is Jefferson’s first sale. He hopes you enjoy it.
The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 42nd 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.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.