Surrounding me are some of my favorite short story writers: Margo Rabb, whose prose can make you laugh and cry (practically at the same time), Ethan Canin, every bit as handsome as his writing, and Flannery O’Connor, for a dash of Southern Gothic.
WIN PLAYTHINGS OF THE GODS: check back in few days for contest details.
No party would be complete without a guest of honor or two. So amidst the confetti, I’d like to introduce the just-published Playthings of the Gods (Amazon Kindle edition) (Drollerie Press, 2011), an e-book collection of young adult stories based on Greek mythology (and home to my story, Naiad). Drollerie Press–known for its transformative fiction–has taken myths and spun them around, updating them with modern themes and settings.
It’s perfect then that our second guest of honor–Word Crushes first interview–is Selena Green, Senior Editor of Kettlestich Press, the young adult division of Drollerie Press:
What do you hope readers will take from “Playthings of the Gods”?
More than anything I hope readers will develop a love for the fantastic storytelling that exists within myths and legends. There is so much rich history, so much fantasy, and so much potential in those stories. Every culture has them and though they’re all a little different, they definitely share an air of the familiar. It’s often said that there are no more original ideas, that everything is some sort of recycling of something else. But this anthology shows the potential storytelling magic that still lies in these bits of mythology and the authors have created some beautiful new worlds using them as base. As you can see, I can get a little geeky when it comes to all this stuff. The reason Drollerie Press often works with elements of the mythical is because we have a passion for it.
Who are some of your favorite authors and why?
I don’t have ‘favorite’ authors, as I find I’ll often give new authors a chance in hopes of feeling that spark. But I do have go-to authors who never disappoint me. For YA- Megan Whalen Turner, Anna Godbersen and Maggie Stiefvater are some of my current obsessions. For my adult reading, I’m still hopelessly obsessed with Karen Marie Moning’s Fever Series. She’s a fantastic writer.
What do you look for in a story?
I look for that emotional connection, first and foremost. I like to be able to get gut wrenchingly involved. Whether it be in love, in angst, in fear- I want to feel it. I’m also a sucker for lyrical prose. That’s just the musician in me, I think. I’m also a fan of a well told love story. Make me cheer for your hero and heroine and I will fangirl you forever.
Why would you pass on a story?
I hate stories that don’t feel genuine. If the emotion conveyed isn’t coming from a real place, the story falls flat. I want to see living, breathing characters on the page. Not stereotypes or copies of other famous characters *cough, Edward, cough*. I’ll often forgive a slow or weak plot and be willing to work with the author if the characters really capture my attention.
Does Drollerie Press have plans for more young adult anthologies?
At the moment there are no exclusive YA anthologies planned, but I can guarantee that there will be more in the near future! I had a great time reading and editing the fourteen stories found in “Playthings” and I’d be thrilled to put another anthology together for the sheer guilty pleasure of doing tons of fabulous reading.
Welcome to the launch party for Word Crushes!
Erin Fanning 