L. RON HUBBARD PRESENTS WRITERS OF THE FUTURE, VOLUME XVIII

The newest installment in the venerable annual contest/anthology series started by the late Hubbard features stories by 17 previously unpublished writers and 17 winning illustrations from new artists. Like most anthologies, this volume is uneven: the majority of the material is passable, with a few outright duds. However, this edition also contains two bona fide masterpieces: Ray Roberts's "The Haunted Seed" tells the story of a deserted space ship whose computer is in love with a dead crewmember, while Ari Goelman's outstanding "Lost on the Road" is a lovingly constructed fairy tale in which a young faery slave eventually finds his family and freedom. A few brief pieces by the pros enhance the collection: Andre Norton offers advice to new writers ("Above all, a writer must be a reader"); H.R. Van Dongen gives tips on illustration ("Develop a composition designed to lead the eye into the picture"); and Hubbard, in a rambling previously published essay, urges writers to set challenges for themselves. There are better (and worse) anthologies on the shelf, but the Hubbard imprimatur will undoubtedly move copies. (Aug.)