BY MCKENNA GARDNER AND AMANDA ELLIOTT
A Dash of Madness: A Thriller Anthology Launches August 3, 2013
In anticipation of the upcoming release for A Dash of Madness: A Thriller Anthology, Amanda Elliott, Assistant Marketing Director for The X, takes a deep dive into the world of editing an anthology through an exclusive interview with the Editor, McKenna Gardner.
A: What is the process The X takes for compiling an anthology?
M: As the stories come in—through our submissions process, and after the author’s names and information are redacted—the judges read through the document and fill out an evaluation form which is very extensive and thorough. By the time everything is filled out on the evaluation form, the story is given a numerical rating.
After all the stories are in, and scored by the judges, we accept the highest rated and gauge how many we can take before we end up with a book too long. The rest are thanked for their submission and encouraged to try again in the future. The stories that made the cut then begin the amazing process of editing, revisions, proof, physical creation, and marketing.
A: How do you, as the editor, ensure individuality of the stories while maintaining a theme?
M: We greatly trust the authors to send in stories that will match the theme we present to them, yet that’s one of the aspects of anthologies that are so fun—the variety of stories that come in, and end up published, are often so very different, but still have elements that represent what we’re looking for. A major part of working with authors is respecting their vision. If their story is way out in left field, the evaluation process will weed them out (or we can ask that they submit for one of our other anthologies); otherwise, we can usually work with what vision they started with.
A: What was the most exciting part about editing an anthology?
M: I love getting to know so many authors at once—their backgrounds, their dreams—but it’s also really fun working on shorter stories. You never burn out because as soon as you finish one little project, you’re on to the next with someone new, with different content. It definitely keeps you on your toes.
A: What is the most difficult part?
M: I think the most difficult thing is juggling all aspects of the project, which is essentially multiple, smaller projects. With one large novel, you’re working with the same author constantly. They probably would appreciate a brief absence from their editor, but with an anthology, the editor must try to keep in contact with everyone as regularly as possible so no one feels left behind.
It’s also tricky to make sure no one’s story becomes too brief through editing, or grows too long. There’s kind of a happy length for anthologies, and you want to stay close to that as best you can. Another difficult task, for me, was writing the foreword. I struggle to say what I want to say within the confines of a short essay. I am a writer, after all.
A: Is there a message in this anthology you want the readers to grasp?
M: There is nothing that I want them to realize, but there was a common underlying theme to each story, which was fun to explore. Each story tended to touch briefly on the complexity of right and wrong, and how in twisted and unstable situations, those choices are not always cut and dry.
A: What was your biggest lesson learned from editing this project?
M: The biggest lesson I learned was that there are many more things I need to learn. I think editing is very much a two-way street. We, as editors, can definitely propose changes, suggest revisions, but every person’s paradigm and background is very different. There are things that we think we know but can never really know, except from first-hand experience. That’s one aspect about authors that make them so interesting. There are many viewpoints we encounter that we’ve never seen before, and it’s important that we respect that.
A: What is next for The X anthology series?
M: Next up, we have our paranormal genre, themed: Extreme Makeovers. I was a judge for that project, and let me tell you, we have some really great stories which will be available toward the end of October. After that, we have our fantasy genre, themed: Back to the Future. Submissions for that one go from July 31st through August 30th. We’re hoping for some amazing submissions!
A: What advice would you give authors who are submitting for an anthology?
M: Give us something that will force our jaws to drop in amazement! Make us laugh, make us cry, and make us wonder about our purpose in life—within the confines of our word count. Just because the story is shorter, it doesn’t mean it can’t be ten times more powerful than a full novel. Give us everything you’ve got!
A: McKenna, there are a lot of individuals who aspire to become an editor. Can you share with us your background and experience in becoming an editor?
M: With a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management with a minor in Sociology and Health Science, I never thought I would get into writing or editing with my education, but it turns out that education is less important these days in the world of editing than experience, perseverance, and the willingness to research.
I had been editing my own work for several years before I became involved in a writers association to ensure that I was doing everything I could to improve the process of writing and editing. The American Night Writers Association was warm and welcoming, and initiated me into the real world of writing, editing, and publishing. I was called to be on their Board of Directors after only two months of membership, and that position quickly led me to network amongst the best of the business, both within and without the association.
After experiencing a personally intense growth period within the industry, I came across an announcement that Xchyler Publishing was looking for some editors. Knowing that I lacked the school-based education, I figured I wouldn’t get the position, but I decided to try anyway. I sent in my resume, was given an audition, and crossed my fingers.
I will forever be grateful that Penny Freeman, Xchyler Publishing and Hamilton Springs Press Editor-in-Chief, saw potential in my work. I have loved every minute of it since—the ups, the downs; the authors, the changes for good. It’s very fulfilling work for me and I respect the responsibility I hold as a guide for budding and veteran authors.
As M. Irish Gardner, McKenna’s short story “Reformation” will appear in Dash of Madness: a Thriller Anthology, launch date: August 3, 2013. Her next project, Shadow of the Last Men by J. M. Salyards, is slated for release September 13, 2013.
As Assistant Marketing Director, Amanda Elliott works in close conjunction with the Editorial Department to ensure that every author receives rock-solid support both before and after the release of their project.