Anthologies for Writers Groups: An Interview with Marianne H. Donley

EPISODE 153I

Today's guest is Marianne H. Donley, a writer who has worked with her writers group to put out several fiction anthologies over the last several years. She uses this experience as an example for her tips and suggestions for you if you're thinking about getting some writers together and creating an anthology.

There are a lot of pieces and parts to consider if you want to put together a multi-author anthology. It takes far more time than you think it will, especially for whomever edits it. (Unless you hire out an editor, the best editor in your group is going to need to read every story and give notes where appropriate.)

You also will have to cover all the production items within your group, or decide how to pay for hiring it out – editing, cover design, formatting, etc. Someone will have to be in charge of the uploading – and under whose name will that be? That segues into the topic of money – will the costs come from one person or evenly from the group? And how will proceeds from sales be distributed? Or will you offer the book for free?

These are just a small sampling of the many issues Marianne helps us consider as she walks us through the process of creating an anthology. Here are links to some of the things she mentioned:

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable ezine:  https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/

Submit to the ezine: https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/submissions

Short Story Award contest page: https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/short-story-contest

Bethlehem Writers Group anthologies: https://www.asliceoforange.net/authors/bethlehem-writers-group-llc/

A Slice of Orange: https://asliceoforange.net/

…and its bookstore: https://www.asliceoforange.net/book-store/

Request to be an interviewed author: https://www.asliceoforange.net/contact/author-interviews/

Charmed Writers free Flash Fiction book (and description includes information on how to join): https://www.asliceoforange.net/books/charmed-writers-presents-flash-fiction-2019/

5-Minute Covers (may or may not still be in business): https://www.facebook.com/5MinuteCovers/

The Book Designer with Joel Friedlander: https://www.thebookdesigner.com/