Writing an Anthology
by Roland Allnach, author of ‘Remnant’ and ‘Oddities &
Entities’
Writing anthologies is something I’ve
enjoyed, for the very fact that anthologies constitute a unique form of
literary expression. Anthologies
themselves can be broken down into two types, from the unrelated collection of
short fiction, to the more elusive, but perhaps all the more satisfying,
thematically linked anthology. I chose
the latter path with my first two books, ‘Remnant’ and ‘Oddities &
Entities’. Today I’d like to discuss
‘Remnant’, which consists of three novellas in the sci-fi and speculative
genres.
The publication of ‘Remnant’ is a bit
of a chicken and egg story. I had made
some efforts to find stand alone publication for each of the three novellas that
would eventually constitute ‘Remnant’.
At that point of my writing career I had a good number of short story
publication credits, and I felt I was ready to make a move toward book
publication. I had several manuscripts
to work with, but I wanted to go with what I felt was the strongest material I
had at that time. Given my enjoyment of
anthologies, I had the idea of putting some stories together to form my own
collection. What that was, or what form
it would take, was a bit of an open question.
My next step was to find a
publisher. I wanted to go small press,
because I knew I had a lot to learn about books, which only served to tell me
that there was probably a great deal more to know than I could imagine. The freedom of small press seemed the perfect
environment in which to learn the ropes of the book world. So, I did my research, made a short list, and
then took a hard look to learn the preferences of the publishers on my short
list. That’s when the chicken and egg
factor came into play. When I was
looking into All Things That Matter Press, I found that they were not only
receptive to anthologies but that they were open to some of the themes I enjoy
to explore when I write. I went back to
my available stories and, after some consideration, I realized using those
themes was all the guidance I needed to select the three novellas for
‘Remnant’.
The linkage was there, but the stories
needed some work. With a clear idea of
the greater ideas I wanted to portray through the course of the three independent
stories, I then refined the plots and characters to keep the narrative focused
to the emotional arc that would suffuse the book. Notions of redemption and self-truth among
morally corrupt situations propel the stories.
Once I felt it was the best I could possibly make it, I sent ‘Remnant’
off, and I was thrilled to have it accepted for publication by All Things That
Matter Press.
I consider an anthology a form of
creative expression akin to how we often view life itself. Our existence is a mosaic of diverse people
and events, yet we have a natural inclination in our subjective thought to tie
all those various moments together. So,
while our memory is composed of many little stories, those stories together tell
something greater, they tell who we are.
It’s a handy comparison, and it fostered the mental exercise necessary
to maintain the linkage between the stories of the book.
Anthologies are a reading experience
somewhat outside the norm, but I like to think that I’ve offered readers a
distinct kind of literary journey.
Besides, I like to explore some of the stranger paths of existence when
I write. As an author, I find endless
possibilities in those considerations, odd as they may be.
As the old saying goes, I chose a path
less traveled, and I’ve found it to be worth the effort.
Title: Remnant: An Anthology
Author: Rolnd Allnach
Publisher: All Things
That Matter Press (November 11, 2010)
Length: 218 pges
Subgenres: Sci-Fi /Fantasy
BLURB:
A stirring, thought provoking anthology of
three novellas within the speculative/science fiction genres. The stories are
linked in theme by characters seeking self- truth, redemption, and their moral
center. The novellas, in order
ofappearance, are: “All the Fallen Angels”, in which a convicted war criminal
attempts to make peace with his past; “Enemy, I Know You Not”, in which a
military officer that was captured and tortured tries to find his loyalty in an
abyss of suspected betrayals; and “Remnant”, in which the survivor of a global
pandemic is confronted with the prospect of making peace with hismemories when
other survivors attempt to bring him back from self-imposed isolation.
BUY LINKS:
Autographed print copies:
Direct from publisher (All Things
That Matter Press):
Amazon print:
Amazon Kindle:
Barnes & Noble:
Enter Here for a chance to win a 50$ amazon card and a signed print copy of Remnant.
a Rafflecopter giveaway