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.
And for a reprint, "best of" anthology?
2. A variety of styles so they each feel new and exciting.
This is what I value as well.
3. A mixture of known and new authors.
That'll certainly be the case, from a purely mercenary viewpoint.
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.
This probably won't happen, since most short fiction writers today don't have serial stories.
4. Lots and lots of hot graphic tentacle/unicorn sex with pictures. (just seeing if you were paying attention)
Like I said, I'll leave that to Dunja, who might kill me
5. A brief author bio and/or words from the author putting the story in context.
Probable for the first, uncertain about the second (not in the first three volumes of the BAF series).
And congrats on the gig. I hope all goes well for you.
I'll be scared to death later. What my actual role is...that will be announced later. I do know I'll be suggesting a lot of stories from all across the Western Hemisphere for consideration.
Illusions fall like the husk of a fruit, one after another, and the fruit is experience. - Narrator, Sylvie
Je suis méchant.
Je suis méchant.
Anthologies
22/12/2009 11:12:37 PM
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Hey Lars...
22/12/2009 11:27:06 PM
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Thanks for the thoughts, Cat Boy
23/12/2009 12:54:48 AM
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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
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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
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But some authors write such widely-ranging narratives that some anthologies are more unified
24/12/2009 02:17:58 AM
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Not to sound shallow, but honestly, I look for a known name ot two.
23/12/2009 04:15:45 AM
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I could be the exception here.
23/12/2009 11:14:20 AM
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I leave the hentai to Dunja
24/12/2009 02:21:24 AM
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