Dave Wolverton (1957–2022)

Before starting Scientology, Ron Hubbard was among other things a science fiction writer. In 1984 he started a contest to promote the writing of speculative fiction short stories in science fiction, fantasy, and horror from young authors: the contest is still running, and this volume collects winners and finalists for 2021, chosen by a jury led by the late David Farland, who suddendly died before the publication. Besides the winning stories, the book contains also some essay on writing; each story is illustrated by a young artist who won the corresponding contest for art. (By the way, I understand that the printed version is in b/w; but I think that the ebook would have benefited from having these pictures in color)
As you may suspect, there is a huge difference both in style and in quality: hovever, I found the overall level more than satisfactory. Here there is a one-liner for each story.

▪ Agatha’s Monster, by Azure Arther: Well plotted, but I did not get warmed. ***
▪ The Magic Book of Accidental City, Destruction: A Book Wizard’s Guide, by Z. T. Bright: in a sense, it reminds me of the Internet... ****
▪ The Squid Is My Brother, by Mike Jack Stoumbos: the idea is nice but there are too many loose end in the story. ***
▪ Gallows, by Desmond Astaire: it's difficult to use time travel in a consistent way, but Astaire manages to do it. *****
▪ Boos and Taboos, by L. Ron Hubbard: it's only interesting because the taboos today change in form but keep existing. **
▪ The Professor Was a Thief, , by L. Ron Hubbard: plot is predictable, but nonetheless it is quite amusing. ****
▪ Lilt of a Lark, by Michael Panter: words have power - and they can be even fun. *****
▪ The Mystical Farrago, by N. V. Haskell: built really well, and the story, even considering what is not said, is good. *****
▪ Tsuu, Tsuu, Kasva Suuremasse, by Rebecca E. Treasure: poetic, but not my kind of story. **
▪ The Single Most Important Piece of Advice, by Frank Herbert "think at the story": N/A
▪ The Daddy Box, by Frank Herbert: strange indeed. it does not even seem Herbert. ****
▪ Teamwork: Getting the Best out of Two Writers, by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson: not really useful, indeed **
▪ The Island on the Lake, by John Coming: it leaves more doubts than certainties. ***
▪ The Phantom Carnival, by M. Elizabeth Ticknor: really strange, and a bit fearful, but interesting. ****
▪ The Last Dying Season, by Brittany Rainsdon: well built, but it did not take me on. ***
▪ The Third Artist, by Diane Dillon: not clear what advice offers to illustrators. *
▪ A Word of Power, by David Farland: hides more than it says. ***
▪ The Greater Good, by Em Dupre, very good idea, but the ending is too hasty. ****
▪ For the Federation, by J. A. Becker: difficult to follow, and I did not like it. **
▪ Psychic Poker, by Lazarus Black: I needed to read the last paragraph twice, but when I understood it all went to place. *****… (altro)