Building Multiple Anthologies

A few years ago, when one of my stories won a spot in an anthology, one of the avid readers of my stories refused to buy a copy. When I asked why, she said she’d only buy a book that contained short stories only from me. That’s when I came up with the idea of creating an anthology of short stories. As I started working on compiling that anthology, ideas for other anthologies emerged, including one or two for urban fantasy stories.

I am currently still creating stories and poems for these works in progress. My goal for each is fifty thousand words at a minimum to give my readers a lengthy and enjoyable reading experience. I need around two thousand words to complete the first anthology, and I hope I get the idea for that one soon. I’d like to release that anthology, if at all possible, by the end of 2026.

Stay tuned for more on this project.

The Benefits of a Writing Retreat

I’ve heard of writers’ retreats where people go to classes then meet up with publishers and agents at a shot of having their manuscript read and hopefully land a contract. I’ve never attended one because they never seemed to occur on a weekend where I had the time to spend at such an event.

However, in August 2023, I attended my first writing retreat. That appealed to me because I’d been in a writing slump for months and wanted the chance to break out of that to get back into a regular writing rhythm. And it worked. In one weekend, I went from writing zero words to over three thousand. I spent time in nature and wrote whatever came to mind. I wrote about a rainbow appearing in a water fountain and the cadence of songs of the various insects in the small sanctuary. The blue sky and cool breeze also enhanced my creative juices.

I left that weekend renewed and energized. But it wasn’t just about the writing. I taught the opening class and had the opportunity to spend quality time over meals with the other women joining me that weekend. We connected in a kind of sisterhood that is sure to last for many years to come.

We shared what we wrote with each other and offered critiques and encouragement where needed. When I read what I thought was a heart wrenching poem, they viewed it as a modern-day psalm. I’m glad I had the courage to share that one with them.

I look forward to being a part of this type of retreat in the future. I’m so glad the organizer is doing it again.