Writers of the Future Volume 42 lands in Australia with Melbourne winner

By AI, Created 5:46 AM UTC, May 27, 2026, /AGP/ – The latest Writers of the Future anthology has been released in Australia, featuring Melbourne writer Thomas K. Slee among winners from eight countries. The volume highlights the contest’s long track record in Australia and New Zealand and is now available in paperback, eBook and audiobook formats.

Why it matters: - The release adds another Australian winner to a long-running speculative fiction contest that has helped launch professional writing and illustration careers. - Volume 42 broadens the contest’s international reach, with winners from eight countries in a field of thousands of entrants from 180 countries. - The anthology is available in formats that make it easier for readers and stores in Australia and New Zealand to carry the book.

What happened: - “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42” was released in Australia on May 26, 2026. - Melbourne writer Thomas K. Slee is the Australian winner featured in the new volume. - The paperback, eBook and digital audiobook are available on Amazon.com.au at bit.ly/WOTF42australia, and the book can be ordered in stores throughout Australia and New Zealand. - The anthology includes winners from Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Slovakia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the USA.

The details: - Thomas K. Slee’s story is titled “Form 14B: Application for Certification of Consciousness Transfer (Post-Mortem).” - The story centers on a major social influencer who has died, while a lawyer argues the situation is not final and offers a path to a new body. - Writers of the Future Contest Director Joni Labaqui said the contests have celebrated 23 winners from Australia and New Zealand, and said Thomas K. Slee continues that legacy. - The contest’s Australian and New Zealand winners include Shaun Tan, Sean Williams, Lee Battersby, Cat Sparks, Richard Kerslake, Melanie Tregonning, Ian McHugh, Sonia Helbig, Alexandra Szweryn, Jason Fischer, Patty Jansen, R.P.L. Johnson, Ben Mann, Nicholas T. Chan, Shauna O’Meara, T.R. Napper, Samantha Murray, Amit Dutta, Chris Winspear (McDonald), Michael Gardner, J.A. Becker, Connor Chamberlain and Thomas K. Slee. - Shaun Tan won as an illustrator in 1992 and later became an Illustrators of the Future judge. - Sean Williams won as a writer in 1993 and later became a No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and Writers of the Future judge. - Connor Chamberlain of New Zealand won as an illustrator in 2024. - The anthology pairs new science fiction and fantasy short stories with illustrations from contest winners. - SciFiNow said Thomas K. Slee discovered the contest via Brandon Sanderson, valued honest feedback and explored red tape in his first-place quarterly story. - Library Journal described Volume 42 as a representative and thought-provoking sampling of new voices in speculative fiction.

Between the lines: - The contest is using Volume 42 to emphasize both its global footprint and its especially deep pipeline in Australia and New Zealand. - The inclusion of past winners who later became judges or bestselling authors underscores the contest’s role as a career springboard. - The promotional push around local availability suggests the publisher sees Australia and New Zealand as an active market for the anthology.

What’s next: - Readers in Australia and New Zealand can now buy or order Volume 42 in multiple formats. - Writers and illustrators will continue competing for future anthology slots as the contest extends its 42-year run. - The contest says it has produced 42 anthology volumes and awarded upward of $1 million in cash prizes and royalties.

The bottom line: - Volume 42 extends a strong Australia-New Zealand tradition for Writers of the Future, with Melbourne’s Thomas K. Slee now part of the contest’s published roster.