The Dark Side Anthology Project

I have been talking a lot lately about the importance of community. I also talk a lot to Pat Pillars, shooting ideas and thoughts back and forth. Today, while talking, Pat asked me if I had ever thought about collaborating on a project. I have, dozens of times, but the right idea has never presented itself. As we got to talking, we thought it might be fun to put together an anthology with other creative types we respect and admire.

I know so many talented people who could really use some extra exposure, and what better way to expose yourself than in an anthology collection of short stories?

So, here’s the scoop…

Pat and I want to put together an anthology of short stories and poetry with a twisted, other side of the mirror theme/askewed reality. Maybe you have something in your stockpile that hasn’t been published yet, or you’ve been looking for a fresh idea to leap on for awhile. It can be any genre, as long as it adheres to the mirror theme.

Stipulations:

-Stories should be no less than 2500 words and no longer than 6000 words
-Poetry should be no longer than fifty lines, no shorter than fifteen
-Never before published or podcasted
-Original works created by you
-Well edited and free of basic spelling and grammar mistakes
-Formatted in traditional manuscript style

Send your submissions for consideration by May 31, 2010 via email to fromthedarksideanthology@gmail.com, and one of us will get back to you within thirty days of the date of your submission.

So… what do you get if your accepted into the Dark Side Anthology? Well, you get to expand your network. Many of us already know each other, but some may not. In expanding and broadcasting this project to the people in everyone’s network, as artists we are exposed to a wider community of potential readers and listeners for the rest of our work. The anthology will also contain a huge bio page with information about each writer and where you can find his/her work on the net, or even in stores if you are already published. Some of you may not need extra exposure, and that’s fine too. We hope you’ll consider participating for the reason listed below.

Many of you may be wondering, “Will I get paid?” The answer… no. While we will be selling the anthology for between $3.99-$5.99 depending on the response we get from you and other interested writers, all proceeds earned from the book will be donated to Letters and Light, the charity run by the founders of Nanowrimo. Not only do they promote creativity every year during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), they also promote literacy and creativity in school classrooms with their Youth Writers Program. When I think about how important that aspect of my own childhood was, it makes me want to do everything I can to help others have the best possible educational experience they can.

We have all been talking a lot lately about the importance of community, and why we need to not only stick together, but work together. This is a great opportunity for us to band together as a community to help drive each other to a new level anddo something for the writers and creators of tomorrow.

So, who’s in?