Q1 Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?
A1. JOHN GOODWIN BIO:
John Goodwin, President Galaxy Press, has been involved with book publishing since 1986, initially publishing all the works of bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard, and from 2002 focusing on his fiction works which includes the internationally acclaimed Writers of the Future anthology, now completing its 42nd year. He is host to the globally syndicated Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast, now in its seventh year. He has been a board member of both the Audio Publishers Assn and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Q2 What would you say is your strength as an author?
A2. I am the publisher of Writers of the Future and host of the Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast and my strength is in continuing the legacy as first announced by L. Ron Hubbard in the opening essay in volume one, “A culture is as rich and as capable of surviving as it has imaginative artists….It is with this in mind that I initiated a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged.”
Q3 What is your favorite part from your book ‘Writers of the Future Volume 42’?
A3. As the publisher, it is meeting the writer and illustrator winners and hearing their story on how they created their story/art, and what it means to have won this competition. I have a better feel for the significance when I look at the art and read/listen to the story.
Q4 How do you handle literary criticism?
A4. I accept and appreciate honest criticism. Of course I prefer praise for the books. But if someone doesn’t like one of the stories, then as long as they are not hateful about it, I accept that they do not like that story or type of story.
Q5 What do you like about audiobooks?
A5. They provide a different dimension to reading a story. I usually have a print book, at least 2 eBooks, and an audiobook going at any given time. With my podcast, I read a book a week usually. The audiobook is strictly pleasure as I read much faster than listen.
Q6 How has the experience of writing and publishing a book influenced your perception of yourself?
A6. I feel good when I can help other writers and artists achieve their dreams.
Q7 What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
A7. For fiction writing, story is king. A reader will forgive a lot of writerly sins if it is an excellent story.
If it is an excellent story and it is also well-written, then that is all the better. If you are going to present known technology in your story, make certain you are accurate.
And lastly, if you think you can simply put it out there and they will come, you are sadly mistaken. There were over 5M books published in 2025 and discoverability has become your second biggest challenge following having written a good book.
Q8 What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
A8. I am a book publisher and I only work half days – meaning 12 hours/day. 😉
Q9 What is the significance of the title ‘Writers of the Future Volume 42’?
A9. It is the 42nd year of publishing winners of the international Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests. This year we surpassed the 1,000 writers and illustrators published in the series. We have had winners from 52 countries, entries from over 175, and thousands of entries each quarter. The podcast has over 4M listens per episode. The forum has been #1 the past 3 years in science fiction writers.
The Contest was founded and endowed by L. Ron Hubbard. So there is no entry fee, no age, ethnic, nationality, or any other requirement other than you can’t be a pro (defined on the website www.writersofthefuture.com) and it is judged blind by several of the biggest names in science fiction and fantasy writing and illustration. All the judges ever see (until the book is published) is the story/illustrations and a number assigned to it.
Q10 What did you want to be when you grew up?
A10. A fireman or cowboy, then when a bit older I wanted to be a city engineer. But then I found that helping people was the most fulfilling so have been doing that for most of my life.
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