Discover the Next Generation of Christian Storytellers…

This third edition of Voices of the Future weaves together short stories of healing and home in a memorable and heartwarming collection. Experience the next generation’s creativity and vision through tales from rising young creatives.

Featuring Rachel North

Raised as the only girl in a family of boys, Rachel North is used to holding her own. She loves reimagining historical accounts and classic tales with strong YA heroines who fight for hope in a grim world. She lives in Minnesota, where the cold weather gives her the perfect excuse to stay inside and watch Pride and Prejudice (2005) for the hundredth time. When she’s not writing, she’s learning to be gentle with her chronic depression by pursuing her joys of hoarding fairytale collections, trying new anxiety fidgets, and writing indie-folk music.

About Her Short Story

All Jude wants is to take his childhood friend Lexi to prom, sweep her off her feet, and maybe snag a goodnight kiss. College is a few short months away, and if prom doesn’t live up to the snapshots he’s seen on social media, he’s afraid the only piece of Lexi he’ll have left is the tree they carved their initials into.

But Jude has a teeny-tiny problem: after a late-night track meet, he’s bitten by a werewolf from the opposing team … and prom takes place on a full moon. If he goes with Lexi, he’ll hurt her. But if he tries to explain why he can’t, surely she’ll leave him. No story ends with the girl and the werewolf together. (No, not even Twilight.)

How can Jude possibly make prom the perfect night now?

Her Accomplishments
  • Drafted four novels and four novellas.

  • Received and implemented three developmental edit letters, including one from award-winning YA author Nadine Brandes.

  • Attended over a dozen writers conferences, including Realm Makers (2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) and Northwestern Christian Writers Conference (2019).

  • Taught the session “Writing and Mental Health” at the One Year Adventure Novel Summer Workshop in 2022.

  • Received interest in multiple projects from editors and agents.

  • Placed in the One Year Adventure Novel Student Novel Contest three times: finalist (2020), second place (2022), and winner (2023).

Meet the 10 other authors in the anthology!

Rhianna

Ring-Howell

“Grown Up Magic”

Gabriella

Banasik

“How to Forgive a Mercenary in Five Steps”

Lyric

Rose

“Splinters in the Sea”

Zoe

Anastasia

“Of Songs & Swamps”

Zach

Sollie

“The Glass Tree at the Edge of the World”

Ryan

Elizabeth

“Treefriend”

Calissa

Ding

“Phone Call to the Wind”

Kristianne

Hassman

“Sailboat of Dreams”

Juliet

Artman

“Details in the Buttercream”

Bailey

Gaines

“Kindness in Color”

Support the next generation of writers

100% of the proceeds from this anthology go toward helping up-and-coming writers attend writing conferences where they can pitch their work to agents and publishers.

About the Author Conservatory

Conservatorynoun: “A school specializing in one of the fine arts.”

The Author Conservatory is an online apprenticeship-modeled program that teaches students the writing & business skills they need to get published and support themselves financially. The Voices of the Future anthology features short stories from nine of our 2024 graduates.

© 2023 The Author Conservatory

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