I've seen those cool looking achievements for the anthology, but no anthology. I'm sure it's just because the site is still new, but I've always let my curiosity best me.
What's the anthology going to be exactly? (This sounds like a really dumb question, I know, but I'd still love to have an answer.) Thanks!
And who would be the editor?
the antholology will likely consist of pieces by us, from the workshop. it may or may not be structured like the palahniuk anthology, in which stories are chosen to highlight craft mechanics from the teachers here.
PERSONALLY i would like to see litreactor doing annual antholgies like WARMED AND BOUND, which just brings attention to what we do here, and what our writers can accomplish (the implication: because of litreactor) sprinkled with stories from the illustrious instructors like mark and craig.
That would be awesome, almost like a showcase for the writers on LitReactor. I wasn't on the cult so I never had experience Palahniuk anthology, but you gave me a clear picture of what it was.
Chuck,
I agree that Warmed and Bound is an excellent model for what could be done with The Litreactor Anthology. Obviously it will take awhile to assemble the stories (first we need to write, write, write) and then choose which ones make the cut. Then those will need editing. Right?
Yeah that would be awesome. I imagine the whole process is quite a lengthy one though. For the people in the know, how long ago did the Velvet gang actually start work on W&B?
Gordon or Caleb have a more exact timeframe, but I think it was at least a year and a half start-to-finish.
Edit: I know that anthologies always sound good in theory, but you have to keep in mind that it's only good when all you have to do is turn in a story. Being in charge is a lot of fucking work, and having seen what goes into these not once, but twice, I'd say chill out a bit. The site is only in its second week of operation, and Dennis is still working on getting the Chuck anthology through the process.
it was about a year of collecting and editing, i think. im not the one to ask, but it wasnt so much pieces that we as velveters had published. there was an open call. i dont think any of the pieces had appeared anywhere else, but im not sure because i hadnt read everything people there published. that, and some of them (like blake butler) werent people i was familiar with, and i would doubt he was ever a member (and his story sucked, by the way....)
the editor was in house though, meaning she was a member there, and had experience working with the outside writer's collective. so the story of their anthology might be rather atypical.
I think they started it in the end of last year, maybe about 8 months for the whole thing. I just found the community shortly after they locked in their submissions I think. If I had gotten their earlier and known the quality of writing of all those guys I would have cut off a toe and sent it in with the manuscript to show them how much I'd want to be involved.
Epic thread bump.
W&B took six months from the time the submissions closed until the release date. That was a very aggressive timeline, though, with one very dedicated and passionate editor involved, as well as a few other resources. Though there was also a pretty heavy amount of editorial on the stories themselves (that I'm aware of). . . Mostly depends on how much time your editor can devote to the thing on a weekly basis, what kind of shape the submissions are in, then the design and layout, business/account considerations, etc.
The Kindle edition of W&B involved a whole 'nother level of insanity that I wouldn't wish on anyone, but that thing's packed with more stuff than just about any e-book I've ever seen.
Sounds like a journey unto itself...! ;)
