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Reading short stories is just as enjoyable and helpful in writing as novels are.

Let's start a list of the anthologies we've read - start a thread with the name of the anthology and editor and respond if you've read it or are planning to read it.

Then we can start a discussion thread for the popular reads. It isn't time limited, so the discussion can pick up as more people read.

What do you think?

ETA: This is a good place to join if you're trying to break into a particular market. One possible format is we read and analyze/discuss one story per week based on a particular market each month.

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I've just ordered a couple of Year's Best anthologies, so I'll probably chime in something. I'm not big on dissecting work, though -- if something glaringly doesn't work for me, I'll mention it, but I read for enjoyment and let the lessons on what does work sink in on an unconscious level.

-- Erin

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Discussion/analysis is up to you - it can simply be what you liked most about the story. A simple comment you make, might actually help someone else figure something out.

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I've been thinking about trying to write more short stories; this might be just the help I need to figure out why I have so much trouble with them!

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I recently bought some mystery anthologies: Dead Witness (Victorian mysteries), A Study in Sherlock (modern Sherlock Holmes stories), Sisters on the Case (modern crime fiction by women). Haven't started them yet. (I decided I should consider writing mysteries.)

I haven't actually read any SFF anthologies in a while. All the free fiction on the web keeps me more than busy enough.

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We'll include the free fiction too.

I'm working on setting up a decent place for this.

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Glad you're interested!

I'll keep you posted on our set up.

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I've just remembered the problem with themed anthologies: by the third or fourth story, I really want something different! After I finish the current story I'm reading, I'll skip down the TOC to read one or two others by authors I always enjoy, and then I'll likely call this one done -- which is a shame as it does have other authors I've wanted to check out. Maybe after I change up the reading a bit, I'll be able to come back to it. Maybe.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

-- Erin

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One thing to do is treat it like a magazine rather than a book. Keep it in your car or your bathroom and read it only when you have time. That way, you get to enjoy all the stories, but they're not all you're reading. And yes, I've had that problem sometimes, but other times I can't wait to see how someone tackled the theme. The difference, I think, really depends on how specific the theme is. If all the stories come across as variations on the same story, the theme was too specific. If all the stories come out completely different but with one common element, then I think it works better.

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In this case, the problem is that it's a library book, so I don't have unlimited time to read it.

The anthology that brought on this thought is Home Improvement: Undead Edition, and although there are some variations, you can imagine the main plot points that repeat.

On the other hand, I did just order a bunch of books from Amazon, including the one with Val's novella and a few year's bests, so I can readily switch off.

-- Erin

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I do the same thing. That's why I have 6 different antho's on my desk right now. That's okay.

We should be varying what we read anyway - so if we're looking at a themed antho, just respond/post about what you want. Likely someone either has read it already or will, based on someone else reading it and being able to discuss.

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I don't read them in order.

The first thing I do is scan the table of contents for my favorite authors.

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That is the downside with library books. On the other hand, you can always check it out again to finish up what you started .

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