Writers of the Future podcast ranks No. 1 in U.S. fiction writing

Million Podcasts has ranked the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast as the top fiction writing podcast in the U.S. The show says the No. 1 spot reflects growing demand for practical advice as millions of books and self-published titles flood the market.

Why it matters: - Million Podcasts’ No. 1 ranking gives the Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast a new marker of reach in a crowded creator economy. - The podcast is built for aspiring writers and illustrators seeking craft advice, industry perspective and examples of how creative careers develop. - The U.S. publishing market added more than 4.1 million ISBN-registered books in 2025, with about 75% self-published, increasing competition for new authors.

What happened: - Million Podcasts listed the L. Ron Hubbard Writers and Illustrators of the Future Podcast as the No. 1 fiction writing podcast in the U.S. - The podcast launched in 2019 and draws on judges, contest winners and other industry professionals for interviews and guidance. - The show is tied to the Writers of the Future Contest, which was created in 1983 by L. Ron Hubbard.

The details: - Host John Goodwin said the podcast is designed to offer real-life examples from writers and artists who have advanced in their careers. - Goodwin said he reads a guest’s book before interviewing the author so each conversation is more informed. - The podcast has featured contest winners and industry figures including Craig Alanson, Kevin J. Anderson, Orson Scott Card, Hugh Howey, Brandon Sanderson, Larry Niven, Tom Doherty and Toni Weisskopf. - The full guest list is available at the podcast page. - Goodwin said United Public Radio Network reports the weekly broadcast averages 3.5 million global listens. - The podcast won the eLit Gold Medal in the Podcast - Interview/Author Hosted Format category. - The show has been a seven-time finalist in the People’s Choice Podcast Awards across Adam Curry People’s Choice, Arts, Education and Storyteller-Drama categories. - The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Audible, iHeartRadio, iTunes, Overcast, PlayerFM, Pocket Casts, Podbean, Podnews, SoundCloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The ranking underscores how writing-advice podcasts can function as both education and promotion inside the broader publishing ecosystem. - The contest’s long history and the podcast’s guest roster suggest the brand is using multiple channels to stay visible to new creators. - The quoted mission statement frames the effort as talent development, not just audience growth.

What's next: - Writers of the Future is continuing to use the podcast as one of several tools aimed at aspiring writers and artists. - The contest and podcast are positioned to keep highlighting new voices and craft-focused conversations as demand for publishing advice remains high. - The organization points listeners to its podcast page and social channels for ongoing updates and past episodes.

The bottom line: - The No. 1 ranking gives Writers of the Future a credibility boost in fiction-writing media while reinforcing its role as a discovery platform for emerging talent.