It's Friday Filler, and I have spent much of the week listening to Eva Cassidy's version of "Fields of Gold". Check it out here, if you want. It's beautiful and it makes me want to cry.
In other news, today is February 25th, and tomorrow is February 26th, and very soon after that, it will be March 1st, and on March 1st The Literary Lab's Notes From Underground Anthology will be available!
Here's a sneak peek of the cover:
We're not showing you the whole thing yet--you have to wait for that--but rest assured the entire image is quite aesthetically pleasing.
Much more importantly, I want to say sincerely that I'm honored to be publishing the stories in this collection. When we decided to put together an anthology that gave writers the freedom to do whatever they wanted, there was a lot of potential for disaster. It was incredibly heartwarming for me to see the amount of love and energy that our selected writers put into this. As I read through each piece, I was repeatedly surprised and impressed by how much talent was out there. And, as I had really been hoping for, I think these stories showcase each writer's unique voice and perspective. Thank you so very much to everyone who was willing to participate.
For the 25 writers we selected, you done good, and I am humbled.
For the many others that we weren't able to select, thank you as well for understanding our vision and sharing our excitement.
I hope you'll come back on March 1st to celebrate the release of our second anthology of short stories.
Also, don't forget to put your name on our mailing list! Sign up here at this link or in the sidebar. We might even include amazing articles you won't see here on the Lab, book recommendation, and discount codes for the anthology. Just sayin'...
Also, don't forget to put your name on our mailing list! Sign up here at this link or in the sidebar. We might even include amazing articles you won't see here on the Lab, book recommendation, and discount codes for the anthology. Just sayin'...
This is so exciting! I can hardly wait to see the final cover--Tara's done a wonderful job!
ReplyDelete...oh yeah, and then there are all the great stories to read inside :)
jbchicoine, there are great stories inside, and there's great art work inside too! And, we ended up having to do the cover ourselves since we got behind on the proofing of the text inside. Luckily, Michelle has awesome magical Photoshop powers.
ReplyDeleteNice to know that we have similar taste in music. I've always loved Sting's version of "Fields of Gold" but this one is equally as beautiful. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to release of the anthology. Although I didn't make the cut this year, a very good friend of mine did and I'm really anxious to see how that turned out.
Have a great weekend.
I LOVE that song by Sting! I'm check out that link, thanks!
ReplyDeleteSing me up for the anthology! Genre Wars was great and this one looks just as good. I love the way Lit Lab encourages and celebrates the work of the community that has grown up around it. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThe open format encouraged me to write a happy ending. Well, a Nevetsized happy ending. I think. At least that was part of my intent. I'm not sure if it happened. I really looking forward to being able to ask people about that. haha
ReplyDeleteNevets, I think that the "room full of kittens" final scene was a brave choice. The ice cream bed was cool, too, if a little derivative of David Foster Wallace. Still, it's stuff like this that really makes the anthology special! I am all aquiver in anticipation of March the First, 2011.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the full cover, and it is gorgeous, kids.
Chuck, The song is lovely. I listened to it again this morning as I was getting ready for work. I'm glad you're looking forward to the anthology!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I hope you like this version!
TJN, thanks a lot! These anthologies wouldn't work without the backing of great writers who are willing to participate. That's what I love about them.
Nevets, That's cool that the ending was inspired by the format. I've been very curious to ask people how their writing process changed as a result of the format.
Ohhhhhhh, pretty ...
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool contest: giving the selected authors freedom to choose what they submit. Trust, a beautiful thing. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Sting's version, reminds me of a certain time in my life, sigh, and will have to check this one out.
These anthologies wouldn't work without the backing of great writers who are willing to participate.
ReplyDeleteWord.
Without the writers, we're just got a pretty cover and nothing else.
Scott, just don't tell people about the melting and drowning part of Nevets' story.
ReplyDeleteNevets, you commented on our blog in my dream last night. I think you wrote me a story and sent me the link.
@Domey - I actually want to go into detail sometime about some of the specific ways the format influenced this story, but if I can be unspoilery about it for the moment, there were several deliberate choices I made specifically because of the format: the ending, the tense, the structure of the dialogue, and the physical action.
ReplyDelete@Scott - I was pretty proud of the butter-cups in the birthday scene.
@Domey - Speaking of which, I hope to have your fable written this weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteNevets, you can do a guest post for us sometime whenever you're ready. And, no pressure on the fable. I, um, know how hard it can be to get stories to people.
ReplyDeleteLoren, it gets better. Just you wait and see!
ReplyDeleteYat-Yee, trust is so cool isn't it? Cyberlama has a lot to do with a lack of trust, and it's really interesting to me to be writing about a character like that.
ooh- how exciting! Can't wait!! I read a few of the stories from the 'to-be-proofed pdf' (and enjoyed them!) but am waiting to curl up with a hard copy and read the rest of the stories.
ReplyDeletewill check out this version of fields of gold (I've always loved that song). I am currently obsessed with Mumford and Sons' 'The Cave'.
Lavanya
I must admit to being rather excited.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait! :) The peek of the cover is gorgeous. I'm still stunned that I was able to sneak into the anthology and after just reading a few of the stories from the pdf proof I'm through the moon.
ReplyDeleteNow I can't wait to read Nevets' story. And see the full cover. And see excerpts from "the Ashtrays of Avalon" in print. This is so exciting!
ReplyDelete@Domey - Glad you can wait, because I didn't get the work done on it that I thought I would. Oops.
ReplyDeleteAnd once the anthology has been out for a little while, I'd love to do a guest post getting to the technical side of how the format impacted the choices I made for the story.