HOLLYWOOD - Rosemead, California artist Haileigh Eriquez is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest and was honored along with ten other artists and twelve writers at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California on April 10th. Her art is published along with the other writers' and illustrators' stories and art in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41 which will be officially released on April 22nd 2025.
Haileigh Enriquez was born in 1996 and is a Los Angeles–born artist with a mix of Mexican/Yaqui Native American and Salvadorian roots. Growing up in Rosemead, California, a predominantly Asian/Hispanic community, deeply shaped her identity. She immersed herself in drawing and comic books from an early age and fostered a fascination for character design and storytelling. What started as an escape, turned into a passion.
Originally on a path toward a career in the medical field, a personal loss led Haileigh to reevaluate her future and embrace her true passion: art. With the encouragement of her family and mentors, she shifted her focus and enrolled at Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), where she refined her technique and explored her own personal style. Her work blends fantastical realism, bold colors, and dynamic lines, drawing heavily from her love for comic book art and Mesoamerican mythology.
Driven by a desire to create characters that celebrate cultural diversity, Haileigh’s work is a joyful exploration of identity, imagination, and resilience. As a traditional artist turned digital creator, she combines realism with imaginative storytelling, crafting unique characters that reflect her identity and the worlds she dreams of. HOLLYWOOD - Mullica Hill, New Jersey author Sandra Skalski is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest and was honored along with eleven other writers and eleven artists at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California on April 10th. Her story, "Slip Stone," is published along with the other writers' and illustrators' stories and art in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41 which was officially released on April 22nd 2025.
Sandra Skalski’s love of fantasy ignited when her kindergarten teacher read Ozma of Oz to the class. Growing up, she spent most of her allowance in the Bookmobile. During the summer, she walked nearly two miles to the nearest library to devour every fantasy and science fiction book she could find. She wrote her first SF story when she was thirteen. It wasn’t very good, but she was determined to keep writing. Attending Viable Paradise workshop helped improve her craft. The first time she got the courage to hit submit, it was to the Writers of the Future Contest. Her stories have appeared in Factor Four Magazine, Wyld Flash, Ruth and Ann’s Guide to Time Travel Anthology Vol. 2 and 100-Foot Crow.
Sandra lives with her husband in suburban New Jersey. She recently retired from a career in chemical engineering, leaving her with actual time to write. When she’s not writing, you can find her in the butterfly garden or traveling with her husband. Her greatest joy is spending time with her daughter, son-in-law, and her two beautiful grandchildren.
The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 42nd year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction.