L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future: Volume XXI

The 21st volume in the anthology series sponsored by Hubbard's Writers of the Future program may contain no knockouts, but more than a few of its 15 tales by emerging SF and fantasy writers show real talent. John Schoffstahl's exciting "In the Flue" extrapolates from today's Mideast headlines. David W. Goldman cleverly examines writers and writing in "The Story of His Life." Sidra M.S. Vitale's "My Daughter, the Martian" is a realistic study of a human colony on Mars from a young adult viewpoint. Andrew Gudgel's "The Firebird" scores as brief and stylized fantasy, as does Cat Sparks's "Last Dance at the Sergeant Majors' Ball" as poignant virtual reality. The illustrations that accompany each story are promising if not up to the quality of the distinctive Frank Frazetta art that graces the cover. (Nov.)