01-08-2023

Opening Statement

Welcome to DreamCasters, a DreamForge discussion group devoted to helping our members improve their writing and storytelling through discussion and sharing expertise.

Special This Month!

We’re giving away two copies of L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Volume 38: Anthology of Award-Winning Sci-Fi and Fantasy to attending DreamCasters.

DreamForge News –  5 min

DreamForge Magazine, Issue 11, in print, is available now on Amazon, and soon to be in the mail to print subscribers. https://bit.ly/DF-Mag-11

Includes DreamCaster tales “Against the Time Beasts,” by Ana Sun, “The Express,” by Michael Zahniser, “Where Rivers Meet,” by Indiana Tilford, and the poem “Who Are You, Little Girl?” by JMG Nerenberg.

DreamCaster Guest John Goodwin – 45+ minutes

Our Guest Today is John Goodwin. The President Galaxy Press, John has been involved with book publishing since 1986, initially publishing all the works of bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard, and from 2002 focusing on his fiction works which includes the internationally acclaimed Writers of the Future anthology, now completing its 39th year. He is host to the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast, now in its third year. He is currently a Board member of the Friends of Hollywood Central Park (an organization creating a 38-acre park over the Hollywood Freeway) and President of the Hollywood Christmas Parade. He has been a board member of the Audio Publishers Assn and a Board member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

The DreamCasters have prepared some questions for John, but once we get started, feel free to raise your hand or jump in and ask what comes to mind. This is your chance to learn more about the famous Writers of the Future Contest.

• Question: What are the current qualifications for entering? How many pro sales can you have and still enter?  What does a “pro sale” mean in terms of the Contest?
• Question: Can you submit a story that was previously published in a semi-pro or non-paying market?
• Question: What is a typical workday like for you, John?
• Question: What is your favorite part of working with the contest?
• Question: How has the Writers of the Future contest changed since its inception?
• Question: As the social media manager for Galaxy Press (one of your many jobs), can you provide insights into providing an engaging presence across so many platforms?
• Question: What was the funniest moment (or one of the funniest moments) of the contest in your time as president?
• Question: As a winner, the firewall between the contest and Scientology was critical. In recent years there was some deterioration of the firewall. Has the contest reinstated the firewall?
• Question: What are some of the biggest impacts that WOTF has had on careers and the industry. How do you see improving on that.
• Question: I know some of the judges have been with you for many years. Is there much turnover?  What is the process for the judging – do all the judges read x number of stories each quarter? Are there tiers of readers that filter out the best for the judges to read?

Special Give Aways –  5 minutes

We’re giving away two copies of L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Volume 38: Anthology of Award-Winning Sci-Fi and Fantasy to attending DreamCasters.

For non-DreamCaster guests today, we have one copy of “Worlds of Light and Darkness,” the cooperative anthology between DreamForge Magazine and Space & Time Magazine, containing 20 exceptional short stories in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror.

In February

On February 5^th, we’re going to focus on getting submissions ready for Triangulation: Seven-Day Weekend.

The Triangulation anthology is accept submissions for its 20th collection in the series from now until February 28^th. Automation simplifies our lives, to the point where a production facility is so automated it makes no sense wasting energy to run lights. These “dark factories” are currently present in the auto industry, the electronics industry, and even the robotics industry itself. What does the world look like when jobs are automated to the point that the labor force is non-existent? Triangulation is looking for outstanding fantasy, science fiction, weird fiction, and speculative horror—from both new and established writers.

If you have a story underway for the anthology, we’ll read a few until we hit a speed bump and then give some advice. On January 7^th, email your draft under way for Triangulation to scot.noel@dreamforgemagazine.com and we’ll organize them for some random readings. Non-DreamCaster guests are welcome, but DreamCasters submissions will get some priority.

Let’s see DreamCasters make a good showing in this 20^th collection of Triangulation!  Triangulation Submission Rules are here: http://parsecink.com/  

Story Prompts

This month we’ll reveal our story prompts ahead of time, so that you can get a start on your Triangulation: Seven Day Weekend stories.

Science Fiction – Imagine a utopian future where all manual and creative work is done by machines that are totally devoted to making our lives easy. You can have anything you want, experience any adventure, go anywhere… but try to use your hands to craft something or your mind to imagine or design something and the machines take offense – as though you are taking away their jobs!

Fantasy – In a near future where machines have taken over all labor and creative activities, humans rediscover magic. Magic is the one things machines can’t do. When magic is the only outlet for ambition and creativity, what do humans do with the power of conjuration?

Disclaimer: These ideas may or may not be original, convergent ideas are common. DreamForge makes no copyright or monetary claim on these story prompts. Have fun.