But I like anthologies. I tend to read 10-20 books a month and I think half of that is just reading the next book in a variety of series. Most of the rest are by authors I know. I just don't have the time to search out new authors and give them a try. An anthology is a great way to get a taste of a variety of authors without having to commit to a full novel.
The shortcomings of an anthology are inherent to the short story format. The biggest of these is of course the lack of character depth and development. 80 pages just isn't enough to make everything happen. However, it is enough to get a taste of an author's style.
As to what I want to see in a good anthology?
1. A common theme or element to tie them all together.
2. A variety of styles so they each feel new and exciting.
3. A mixture of known and new authors.
3a. If a known author, I sometimes like the story to be set in the same world as one of their existing stories, using existing characters.
4. Lots and lots of hot graphic tentacle/unicorn sex with pictures. (just seeing if you were paying attention)
5. A brief author bio and/or words from the author putting the story in context.
And congrats on the gig. I hope all goes well for you.
The shortcomings of an anthology are inherent to the short story format. The biggest of these is of course the lack of character depth and development. 80 pages just isn't enough to make everything happen. However, it is enough to get a taste of an author's style.
As to what I want to see in a good anthology?
1. A common theme or element to tie them all together.
2. A variety of styles so they each feel new and exciting.
3. A mixture of known and new authors.
3a. If a known author, I sometimes like the story to be set in the same world as one of their existing stories, using existing characters.
4. Lots and lots of hot graphic tentacle/unicorn sex with pictures. (just seeing if you were paying attention)
5. A brief author bio and/or words from the author putting the story in context.
And congrats on the gig. I hope all goes well for you.
Everybody was Kung Fu fighting!
Not to be rude but who are you? And I suppose equally important, where are we?
The Wotmaniac formerly known as nomad.
Not to be rude but who are you? And I suppose equally important, where are we?
The Wotmaniac formerly known as nomad.
Anthologies
- 22/12/2009 11:12:37 PM
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Hey Lars...
- 22/12/2009 11:27:06 PM
526 Views
Thanks for the thoughts, Cat Boy 
- 23/12/2009 12:54:48 AM
482 Views
- 23/12/2009 12:54:48 AM
482 Views
Anthologies are like mix CDs. I don't really like them.
- 23/12/2009 03:39:12 AM
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I'm curious - do you read many short stories these days?
- 23/12/2009 08:32:14 AM
399 Views
Honestly, not many. But when I do, I prefer for them to be in a single-author collection.
- 23/12/2009 11:36:02 PM
618 Views
But some authors write such widely-ranging narratives that some anthologies are more unified
- 24/12/2009 02:17:58 AM
378 Views
Not to sound shallow, but honestly, I look for a known name ot two.
- 23/12/2009 04:15:45 AM
374 Views
I could be the exception here.
- 23/12/2009 11:14:20 AM
431 Views
