The Anthology Experiment

I thought I’d let you in on a recent somewhat intriguing writing experience, being  part of an anthology.

thanks Serenity Press

One of my secret writing dreams has been to be part of an anthology, no idea why as I’ve always been a bit of a lone wolf really. If I ever needed this confirmed, it was brought home to me many years ago one Melbourne Cup Day. The department I was working for at the time decided to rename everyone as a horse in the big race. Oh joy! People beamed on hearing their nom de plumes, well how could they not when labelled ‘front runner’, ‘thoroughbred’ or ‘dead set winner’? Even the work experience girl seemed proud of her ‘young stayer’ tag. Then it or was my turn …

‘Will run her own race’.

thanks Serenity Press

Hmm. For a department that regularly lay prostrate at the altar of teamwork, were they trying to tell me something?Still could be worse, and hardly surprising really since I’d set up my section of the department as the independent voice of the customer. Detached from corporate politics, unable to be influenced, a little oasis of Switzerland amid a ruthless corporate jungle. So why years later was I secretly hankering to be part of an anthology? Surely the art of writing, the mere practice of purging ones’ deepest thoughts onto paper, is the most solitary, self-regulating of activities.

According to the definition, ‘anthology’ comes from the Greek word anthologia, meaning a collection of flowers, and was first penned in the 17^th century when The Garland contained a collection of poems, with each poet compared to a flower. Nowadays they have broadened into collections of short stories, poems or plays compiled by one person.

As a relatively unknown author, I’m all too aware of the road ahead strewn with exhausted disenfranchised, writers. Sure, my favoured solo approach has availed a modicum of success, but what if I branched out and took a chance on a collective approach? What then?

As luck would have it this momentary mind shift coincided with a call out from local publisher Serenity Press, who were holding a competition with an intriguing premise.

There was the usual statement of the genre (this time it was romance), word limit, and deadline. The pitch outlined the setting (Serendipity Bridal Boutique a vintage-styled salon in W.A. country town, Eagle Point) and two of the characters (Kyle a gay designer and an assistant named Vanessa). The main character Kate, the owner of the bridal store, would be written by the people running the competition. Entrants were tasked with writing a story featuring either Kyle, Vanessa, or a new character. Having never written romance I concluded that even though I liked the premise, it wasn’t for me. But the next day a character named Susannah Cassidy came a knocking, as they do, demanding to be heard.

Looking back at my files the first draft was submitted in May 2016 and the contract announcing my inclusion amongst the ten stories, arrived with equal parts joy and shock in August.

Nearly a year on and the book A Bouquet of Love, is about to take its place in the world. The first proof copy graced the shelves of the London Book Fair, surely a good omen.

Thanks to Serenity Press

So, what have I learnt so far from this venture into collaboration?

First up a lot can be said for stepping out of your genre. I know I would never have dared submit a piece of romance to a publisher without this prompt.

Second, it was fascinating to be on the inside of such an intriguing approach, not least of which was the use of social media. Entrants were invited into a closed Facebook group where we could ask questions as they arose … what colour is the assistant’s hair, do the dressing rooms have curtains or doors?

Moreover, the experience provided some surprising benefits beyond the actual desire to see my scribbles published.

The Facebook page introduced me to a glorious group of writers who continue to motivate and support each other. I feel incredibly privileged to be included and can’t wait to read their entries, especially the one about the cupcake wielding assassins.

Surprisingly the contacts made through this group also resulted in two speaking gigs where I met even more wonderful writers.

The editing process was another eyeopener. I take my hat off to Monique Mulligan who edited the ten stories while also writing the main character. The fact that she and her business partner Karen McDermott ran a Writers Retreat in a castle in Northern Ireland (see top photo), and set up a stall at the London Book Fair during this time, is simply mindboggling.

thanks to Serenity Press

Overall it was a terrific experience that I would highly recommend. Collaboration has clearly come a long way from all those university group assignments where one person did all the work, although Monique might have something to say about that. It will be interesting to watch how the marketing results pan out given that this too will be shared across all involved. If you’re interested in knowing the outcome please drop me a line.

A massive thank you to everyone at Serenity Press for the opportunity, to my fellow writers on the Facebook group for your friendship and encouragement, but most of all to Susannah Cassidy for taking me down this path, one I sincerely hope to do again soon.

A Bouquet of Love launches May 18^th for pre orders go to the Serenity Press website.