So you might have noticed I haven’t been around the Weird Wanderings blog quite as much lately. That’s because I decided—last month, no less—that I was going to edit a Halloween anthology. So with a whopping eight weeks to plan, execute, and promote, I’ve embarked on what has become one of the most exciting and interesting exploits of my writing career heretofore. Basically, I feel like this:
So what have I gleaned from this experience so far? Lots of strange and wonderful knowledge about the publishing process. For instance…
1. The Table of Contents must be limited.
I am incredibly fortunate that I know tons of talented writers. Thanks to social media, I not only have a social circle (a huge change for an introvert like me), but that social circle includes some of fantasy, science fiction, and horror’s best up-and-coming writers. However, wonderful as that is, it made the process of choosing authors incredibly difficult. Ultimately, I selected just over a dozen writers who I knew had an affinity for Halloween. Do I feel a bit disappointed that there are certain great writers missing from the book? Sure, but there are always future anthologies if I don’t drive myself mad first…
2. An anthology does not come together in a day.
Though I hate to admit it, I’m the impatient type. I want everything done yesterday. But when you’re collaborating with so many people (thirteen authors, one cover model, and an illustrator/photographer), you have to change your strategy and allow the process to evolve. I’ve been fortunate that so far, not one person has missed a deadline. All the authors submitted their stories with plenty of time for edits, and my cover model, Payden King, had no problem scheduling a Halloween-themed outdoor shoot for the end of July, horrendous heat and all. So while not everything has come together immediately, I’m very fortunate to have such fantastic collaborators that despite starting the planning a bit late this year, I’m still ahead of schedule.
3. Savor every moment.
Good, bad, or monstrously ugly, there will only be one “first time” when it comes to producing a book. While my own stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, this is my first time behind-the-scenes as an editor, and though the process has had its ups and downs already, I’m doing my best to be present for every oddball turn of events. Because many years from now, when I look back on my career, this will definitely be a time to remember.
So please bear with me in the coming weeks as I prepare for the release of my anthology, A Shadow of Autumn. I might be a little crazy, but at least I’m having fun doing it.
Happy hauntings!