The 23rd L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards ceremony was held on the campus of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California on August 25, 2007. Over 300 science fiction and fantasy fans from around the globe crowded into the Athenaeum Club for a ceremony to honor 24 winners of the international Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests.

In addition to individual trophies and cash award presented to each quarterly writing and illustration winner, a Gold Award of $5,000 was presented at the event for the best story and illustration. The Gold Award for Story of the Year was presented by actress Lee Purcell to Steven Kotowych from Toronto, Ontario. The Gold Award for the Illustration of the Year was presented to Lorraine Schleter from Fort Branch, Indiana by Latin vocalist Carina Rico.

Additionally, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Charles N. Brown, publisher of Locus.

Prior to the awards ceremony, the winners were flown in by Author Services, administrator of the contests and L. Ron Hubbard's literary agency, from as far away as France, United Kingdom and Ukraine to attend a week-long workshop taught by contest judges including authors Kevin J. Anderson, Tim Powers, Sean Williams and the artist Stephen Hickman.

The Contests were initiated by L. Ron Hubbard in 1983. Every quarter, three writers and three illustrators are selected by a panel of leading authors and artists of science fiction and fantasy. Beside first time publication, benefits include over $30,000 in cash prizes and royalties, a week-long workshop with top professionals of the genre as well as book signings, radio and TV interviews organized by the contest administrators to assist the winners to launch their careers.

Back row: Stephen Gaskell, Amelia Mammoliti, Yuliya Kostyuk, John Burridge, Peter Town, Stephen Kotowych, Joni Labaqui, John Goodwin, Lorraine Schleter, Geir Lanneskog, Marcus Collins, Edward Sevcik, Damon Kaswell, Joseph Jordan. Front row: Kim Zimring, Tony Pi, Aliete de Bodard, Brian Beus, Lars Edwards, Artem Mirolevich, RAndall Ensley, Douglas Texter, Andrea Kail, Jeff Carlson

Posted August 30, 2007