Desmond Astaire in the Writers of the Future Epic eBundle
This interview is part of a series on the authors contributing to the Writers of the Future Epic eBundle, available starting July 11.
I first met Desmond Astaire when he was one of the winners at the Writers of the Future workshop for Volume 38. He was an enthusiastic student, both in the workshop and in the after-hours gatherings, asking questions and sharing stories. His sales since are a testament to his hard work and application of lessons learned. This eBundle is my chance to catch back up with him, and I am honored to share this opportunity with him.
Desmond Astaire is an American author specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal fiction, based in Central Illinois, where he lives with his wife and children. His debut publication came via Galaxy Press in 2022 with a story in Writers of the Future Vol. 38, earning the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Pen Award.
Since then, Astaire has published fourteen short stories across publishers in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. His anthology Epoch‑1 was released in 2024.
He serves as superintendent of a military public relations unit, overseeing multimedia content-creator training and operations. A member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), Astaire’s accolades also include the 2023 Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal for Science Fiction and the Benjamin Franklin Award Gold Medal.
I had the opportunity to ask Desmond a few questions about him, his work, and the Writers of the Future Epic eBundle.
How are you associated with Writers of the Future, and what does it mean to you?
My short story “Gallows” won the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Pen Award in Writers of the Future Vol. 38. Winning Writers of the Future was one of the singular most fulfilling moments of my life. It meant achieving something I had only dreamed of. It also meant from that moment on, anything was possible. Since then, I have had the joy and honor of getting to share the company of the legendary writers who judge and mentor the program, the league of authors who came before me, and all the fantastic new talent worldwide who have joined us in subsequent years.
Tell us about your book in the bundle. Why did you choose this book from all your works?
I wanted to share Epoch-1 because it is a culmination of the first generation of my work — every story that was published after Writers of the Future, every ounce of imagination I had inside me. This book is a monolith commemorating a cherished period of my life. When people ask “Where can I read your stories?” I wanted to send them to one, special place, and that is Epoch-1.
What was your favorite part of writing/editing this book?
My favorite parts of writing this book were getting to revisit works I hadn’t seen in some time. It was a magical experience, like seeing an old friend who you shared many memories with. And then, at the end of each story I wrote an Afterword explaining a little bit of the behind the scenes, which I felt was a special connection to give to the readers.
Is there another story or author would you recommend to your readers as an exemplar of the Writers of the Future Contest?
I was particularly moved by “Under My Cypresses” by Jason Palmatier in Volume 39. I remember practically jumping out of my seat and thinking, “This! This is what the spirit of sci-fi is all about!”
Learn more about Desmond Astaire