Immerse yourself in the next generation of science fiction and fantasy with 18 hours narrated by an award-winning cast, including Stefan Rudnicki, Orson Scott Card, Gabrielle De Cuir, Janina Edwards, Susan Hanfield, Kirby Heyborne, John Lee, Jim Meskimen, and Scott Peterson. 

 

'The narrators of this dazzling collection present an auditory buffet in easy-to-digest portions. With the talents of nine narrators, listeners will hear a variety of voices delivering these SF and fantasy short stories. Compelling performances.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

 

“Thought-provoking sampling of terrific new voices in speculative fiction, from the dangers of messing with the past to potential hopes and fears for the possible future.' —Library Journal

 

“The range is extraordinary: hard science fiction bristles with urgency, fantasy shimmers with mythic depth, and quieter, character-driven tales linger long after the final page. These are not tentative first steps but confident strides from writers poised to shape the genre's future.”—The International Review of Books

 

If 42 is the answer, these stories ask the questions worth thinking about:


- What if a perfect rescue went catastrophically wrong?
- What if the “better you” doesn’t want to share your life?
- What if love could survive inside a virtual reality?

 

Inside this volume, you’ll encounter a flawless time-rescue gone wrong, a beauty treatment with terrifying consequences, a detective hunted by a body-hopping killer, and a homesteader uncovering a truth that rewrites Earth itself. You’ll also find dragons that defy myth, fairy-tale chaos, supernatural horror, and high-concept science fiction that blends heart, humor, and imagination. From time travel and first contact to magical realism, monsters, and folklore-inspired fantasy, every story is brought vividly to life.

 

Featuring original stories by Hugo and Nebula award-winner Orson Scott Card and Bram Stoker award-winner Nina Kiriki Hoffman, alongside twelve rising stars shaping the future of speculative fiction, Writers of the Future Volume 42 is your gateway to bold ideas, fresh voices, and stories readers love to discover—and recommend.

 

Perfect for fans of: Orson Scott Card, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Blake Crouch, Brandon Sanderson, V. E. Schwab, Naomi Novik, Michael Crichton, Ted Chiang, Ken Liu, and Black Mirror. 

 

This Audio Edition Includes:

 


- 12 Stories from Emerging Stars of speculative fiction, accompanied by a complimentary reference PDF of original illustrations.
- 3 Bonus Stories by bestselling authors.
- 3 Masterclass Articles on the craft and business of writing and illustrating from top industry creators.

 

Selected from thousands of entries worldwide, this anthology brings together a new generation of emerging authors and illustrators—your launchpad into the future of science fiction and fantasy. 

 

Listen now.