Overcoming Isolation: Tom Vandermolen’s Journey to Becoming a Top Science Fiction Writer

Tom Vandermolen, a Ballard resident, achieved a major milestone in his writing career by winning second place in an international science fiction writers contest. This accomplishment has earned him a spot in a week-long master class workshop as part of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future (WOTF) contest. His winning story, titled “Nonzero,” will be featured in the anthology L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40.

“Nonzero” is a captivating science fiction tale about an astronaut who finds herself abandoned in deep space, light-years away from any other human being. The story explores themes of isolation and self-imposed solitude in a futuristic setting that intersects with the universe of a science-fiction novel Vandermolen is currently working on. With a passion for horror and science fiction genres, Vandermolen has also sold another story in a horror anthology called Monsters Monsters Monsters Monsters. He is currently working on a series of horror novellas set in Louisiana and a science fiction novel blending elements of Battlestar Galactica and Ender’s Game.

Winning the Writers of the Future contest has been a long-standing goal for Vandermolen, who is excited about the opportunity to participate in the master class workshop. The master class is described as an intense and exhilarating experience, featuring well-known authors as instructors who will provide feedback on Vandermolen’s work. He views this achievement as a result of persistence and patience in pursuing his writing aspirations over the years.

As he prepares to attend the master class, Vandermolen looks forward to learning from his literary idols and further developing his skills as a science fiction writer. This unique opportunity will not only help him improve his craft but also provide him with valuable insights into the publishing industry that will undoubtedly benefit him in his future endeavors.

Overall, Tom Vandermolen’s journey to becoming one of the top writers of tomorrow is an inspiring tale that serves as proof that hard work and dedication can lead to great success.