DawnRay Ammon and Jenna Eatough wanted a convention that provided the opportunity to take intensive classes and workshops in writing and art for speculative fields from creative professionals. And so they created Fyrecon, offering over 180 workshops and classes by published authors and artists.

Learn more at Fyrecon.com or on Facebook @Fyrecon.

Bob Defendi (Writers of the Future winner volume 19) talks about the adage that "it takes 10 years to become an overnight success" and the value of having your own ready-made audience.

Initially an Illustrators of the Future winner in 1993, (Writers of the Future Volume 9), Brian Lee Durfee illustrated for Dungeons & Dragons and "Magic The Gathering." With partial loss of vision in one eye, Brian switched gears and is now a successful published novelist of epic fantasy. Brian talks about how he made the transition.

Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury was a published finalist in Writers of the Future vol 9 back in 1993 who has since gone on to run Orson Scott Card's "Writer's Workshop" and "Forum" at HatRack.com. She explains Orson Scott Card's 3 rules for storytelling: 1. Faith - Oh, yeah?; 2. Hope - So what?; and, Clarity - Huh?

Writers of the Future winners Eric James Stone and Darci Stone provide their advice to aspiring writers and how Writers of the Future brings fresh perspective and new ideas to science fiction—which is one of the hottest tips to winning the Contest.

Preston Dennett tells his amazing story of entering Writers of the Future 47 times since 1986 before finally winning. His is a story of trying, giving up and then giving it another shot. Writers of the Future books and the Forum where he learned about himself in the "Topanga Canyon" story.

Yingying comes from a traditional Chinese background where art isn't encouraged as a career. She discusses her journey in becoming an award winning artist. Winning this competition has given her confidence she needs to continue pursuing her career in art.

Sam Kemp has always wanted to be an artist for as long as he can remember. He has persisted reaching for his dream despite his parents wanting him to be a doctor or a lawyer. He explains how handling one's self confidence as an artist is vital as he had tortured himself due to lack of it. Enjoy the journey of learning art.

Rustin Lovewell is an immunologist and started writing as a means to decompress after a day in the lab. He is now an award winning author. He also has a piece of advice for aspiring writers: don't let fear of rejection stop you.

Qianjiao Ma, nicknamed "Q," came to America from China to study when she was 18. Hers is a very uplifting story of persistence, dedication and overcoming barriers to win Illustrators of the Future and now work for a major animation studio at Warner Bros.