Organizer Information
The L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrators of the Future Contest, administered by Author Services, Inc., is an international competition designed to encourage new and amateur artists interested in science fiction and fantasy illustration. The contest emphasizes the ability to visually interpret and communicate a story through a compelling illustration rather than simply producing artwork based on science fiction or fantasy themes. Entries are evaluated by professional artists.
Title & Description
L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrators of the Future Contest
The L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrators of the Future Contest invites new and amateur science fiction and fantasy artists to submit original illustrations inspired by stories in these genres. The competition focuses on an artist’s ability to capture the essence of a narrative in a single powerful image that encourages viewers to engage with the story behind it.
The contest runs quarterly, with three winners selected during each quarter. Each quarterly winner receives a US$500 cash prize and becomes eligible to compete for the annual Grand Prize. The annual competition requires quarterly winners to create a full-color illustration based on an assigned science fiction or fantasy story, following professional publishing specifications.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Illustration
- Digital Art
- Fantasy Art
- Science Fiction Art
Both color and black-and-white illustrations are accepted. Mixed media, grayscale, digital design, photo-editing software, and photographic elements may be used, provided that the final work is original and complies with the contest rules.
Eligibility
- The contest is international and open to entrants from all nations. It is specifically intended for new and amateur artists who have not been professionally published and paid for more than three black-and-white story illustrations or more than one process-color painting distributed broadly to the general public.
- Each entry must contain three original, previously unpublished illustrations, created solely by the entrant. Each illustration must feature a different subject.
- The use of generative AI or similar technologies is strictly prohibited. Entrants must own the full copyright to their submitted artwork and all individual assets used in its creation.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Three winners are selected each quarter, with each receiving US$500 and a trophy at the annual awards ceremony. Quarterly winners become eligible to compete for the US$5,000 annual Grand Prize and Grand Prize trophy. Quarterly winners are also invited to attend the annual L. Ron Hubbard Writers & Illustrators of the Future Annual Awards Ceremony. The contest covers their travel and hotel costs, as well as participation in a free illustrator’s workshop held during the week before the ceremony.
- Winning illustrations may also be considered for inclusion in a Writers of the Future anthology if an edition is published for the relevant contest year.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 December 2026
- Quarterly deadlines are:
- October 1 – December 31
- January 1 – March 31
- April 1 – June 30
- July 1 – September 30
Entries must be received electronically or postmarked by midnight Pacific Time on the final day of the relevant quarter. Late entries are considered for the following quarter.
Location
Los Angeles, California, United States
Additional Details
- Each entrant may submit only one set of three illustrations per quarter. Entries are judged by professional artists, and judging decisions are final. Quarterly winners receive a story assignment for the Grand Prize competition and must complete the assigned illustration within 30 days.
- The contest specifically evaluates how effectively an illustration makes a viewer want to read the story it represents. Artists should therefore consider narrative interpretation and storytelling as important elements of their submission.