Scientology holds its ‘Writers of the Future’ awards back on schedule, same garish display

 
After having its schedule disrupted for a couple of years by the pandemic, Scientology’s sci-fi front operation, “L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers & Illustrators of the Future” is back to having its Achievement Awards gala in the spring.

As usual, contest winners were flown in for an expensive week at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, various activities, a tux fitting, and then a lavish event held at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood on Friday night.

It apparently never dawns on these winners that the only reason this is such a rich experience is that Scientology’s Author Services Inc. is footing the bill so founder Hubbard’s reputation can be burnished.

A decade ago, in fact, we established a direct link between the contest and Scientology’s most notorious abuses when we showed that ASI’s Barbara Ruiz, who was running the contest in the early 2000s, was seen running the infamous prison at Gold Base, “the Hole,” in 2004. She was subsequently a prisoner in the Hole herself (Mike Rinder personally saw here there when he was a prisoner too), and then about the time Shelly Miscavige vanished in 2005, Barbara did too.

And more recently, Galaxy Press, which puts out Hubbard’s dreck from the 1930s, is run by Sea Orgers John Goodwin and Emily Jones, and we have written about how Emily is kept from communicating with her parents, Phil and Willie Jones, who dared to leave the church. One of the reasons we look forward to the annual gala is for opportunities to see Emily. And once again, we weren’t disappointed.

First, we’ll show you some photos that the contest posted from the week and from the gala, and then we have some thoughts from Rachel Denk, who at one time was a major force in the contest.

Here’s Rachel’s report…

As I hadn’t visited the Facebook site for several months, I thought I better go down the rabbit hole. I was devastated to find that Coordinating Judge and Editor of the anthology, Dave Wolverton, had unexpectedly passed away January 14 of this year. I read everything I could get my hands on, obituaries, etc., and watched video tributes to him. All were very compassionately done and accurately portrayed how loved and respected Dave Wolverton was.

Friday, April 8, arrived and the Awards were scheduled for 7pm. I couldn’t find the link to the Awards on the Facebook site! Ah ha, I thought, maybe if I Google it, I’ll find it. That’s exactly what happened but, regretfully, I missed the very beginning of the Awards as I was about four minutes late. Someone was singing onstage when I joined the Awards.

The Awards were held at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood. Dinner was served and it looks as though the room was full of winners, staff and guests. The whole Awards event was not garish in the least and moved right along. Gunhild Jacobs, ED of Author Services Inc, was the mistress of ceremonies. Early on in the program we learned that there were thirty winners in attendance. Seven were those who couldn’t make it to last year’s event, published in Volumes 36 or 37, and twenty-three were from Volume 38, this year’s release.

Nicely spaced throughout the program were videos that included a tribute to Dave Wolverton, a poem for peace by LRH, an original video by Frank Frazetta on how he makes art. Somewhere along in here WOTF Volume 38 was released by John Goodwin, President of Galaxy Press. There was also an overview of the contests and announcement of Jody Lynn Nye becoming the new Coordinating Judge of the WOTF Contest and Dean Wesley Smith becoming the new editor of the anthology, taking over these jobs from the departed Dave Wolverton.

The keynote speaker was Lt. General John F. “J.T.” Thompson USAF, former commander of the US Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base. When the speaker was at the podium, he announced he was going to say “just a few words.” Nope, he spoke for a good ten to fifteen minutes. He was a good speaker and I suppose the speech was interesting to those who could follow it, but it was definitely more than “just a few words.”

Interspersed with the above were the presentation of awards to the winners, all thirty of them. I’m certain each winner was given a piece of white paper on which to write the names of those he/she wished to thank. The men had this sheet of paper in a pocket and whisked it out once they had stationed themselves at the podium. The ladies white sheet of paper was usually carried in their hand as far as I could tell. Those white sheets of paper became ominous because one never knew how many people were going to be thanked. I started to listen for words that would portend what we were in for: “I have a lot of people to thank.” “Last but not least” ended many of winner’s lists.

The presenters of awards included not only judges of the contests but a few celebrities. Nancy Cartwright and Lee Purcell are the only names I recognize. There were several others but I cannot find the video again to jot them down.

At the end of the evening Joni Labaqui took the stage and the Grand Prize winners were announced. Fortunately, all the thank you’s had been already stated and we ended up with a couple of jubilant winners. That’s a wrap.

 
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Source Code

“There are three classes of universes. There’s your universe and that class of universe known as the other fellow’s universe and the physical universe — universes of the type of the physical universe. Now, these in essence are three types of universe. Now, there’s a law back of all this, and that is to say that a universe is subject to the postulates of the god of that universe. Let’s take the physical universe. Everybody agrees that there’s a God someplace and that the physical universe obeys His law, so forth. It’s an interesting aberration in itself. Now, it’s a little more important, however, when we apply it to Mama. Mama is the god of Mama’s universe. Everybody concedes this. Maybe she isn’t in her own mind but everybody concedes that she is.” — L. Ron Hubbard, April 12, 1954

 
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Avast, Ye Mateys

“PENALTIES: Those absent from drills — no next meal. Those absent from study — 10 s per offense logged by supervisors and deducted from allowance and paid by Purser to 2 Div for facilities fund. False report — one week’s allowance. Outness or irresponsibility in admin or on post or watch — 3 days pay. REWARDS: When the ship is out of Non Existence and up to Emergency a reward schedule will be posted. MUSIC: No music while the ship is below Emergency.” — April 12, 1969

 
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Overheard in the FreeZone

“My Christian friends want me to stop studying Scientology. I think it’s a loyalty thing. I have to choose between Christ and L. Ron Hubbard, apparently.”

 
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Past is Prologue

2002: The Associated Press reported that Heber Jentzsch, the president of the Church of Scientology International, has been acquitted of conspiracy and fraud charges. “A Spanish court on Thursday acquitted the American leader of the Church of Scientology of conspiracy and other charges, ending a case that dated back to 1988. In December the Madrid Provincial Court had acquitted 15 members and employees of the Spanish branch of Scientology who had been charged along with church leader Rev. Heber Jentzsch. When Jentzsch did not appear for trial as it began in February, the court decided to try him separately. The court said in December there was no evidence to support prosecutors’ allegations that drug rehabilitation and other programs sponsored by the Church of Scientology in Spain amounted to illicit gatherings aimed at activities such as bilking people of money. In 1988 Jentzsch was arrested when he arrived in Madrid for a Scientology conference. He was held for 4 months before being released, but indicted in 1994.”

 
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Random Howdy

“Believe it or not, ‘Wichita Lineman’ is one of my all time favorite songs. I’m usually in tears by the end of it.”

 
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next pretrial conference May 31. Trial scheduled for August 29.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Last hearing was on January 18, referred to grand jury. Additional charges also referred to grand jury after January 5 assault while in jail.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference May 20 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for April 8.

Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Valerie’s motion for reconsideration denied on March 15.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Next hearing scheduled for June 29.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.

 
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
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THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] Scientology answers Danny Masterson accusers at California Supreme Court, and it’s ugly
[TWO years ago] Scientology continues to see the pandemic as a public relations opportunity
[THREE years ago] Scientology deception and financial fraud spelled out in incredible legal letter
[FOUR years ago] Why Scientology has no business pontificating on mental health — a discussion
[FIVE years ago] Need a boost to your superpowers? Scientology has a (pricey) solution for that!
[SIX years ago] Astra Woodcraft, ex-Scientology kid, wants you to read a short essay
[SEVEN years ago] How Scientology broke up Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers: The story you haven’t heard
[EIGHT years ago] Why is Scientology’s cruise ship caught up in a lawsuit about human slavery?
[NINE years ago] Scientology’s Lavish Annual Party for Pampered Sci-Fi Writers, This Sunday!
[TEN years ago] This is How You Finance an “Ideal Org”

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 12, 2022 at 07:00

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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast