Thursday Thirteen, Edition 16 AND a New Meme

It's getting to be that time of year again where the line-up of anthologies starts looking irresistible. What could be more festive than little tidbits from favorite authors, cozy warm/fuzzy holiday themes, and covers like this one:

Hmmm, that'll melt your icicles, eh?

Those of you who've been reading along here for awhile might remember my month-long event last year called Antholopalooza -- wherein I read and reviewed a whole bunch of anthologies and shorts; hosted a couple of guest posts; did a few thinky pieces about anthologies and included a number of T-13s along the way.

Ultimately, I couldn't bring myself to love the format enough to repeat the experience, but I do still pick one up here and there. Frankly, I think the anthology is a dish best nibbled upon, rather than binged. Then, a recent conversation (see comments) with Jackie over at Literary Escapism got some creative ideas flowing. So here's the deal: Starting in December, Jackie and I will be co-hosting a Mr. Linky meme for short-story-related posts, which we are dubbing Short Story Saturdays.

You can review a single short piece, a whole anthology, or post about your love or hate for the format. You'll find mostly romance from me, mostly UF from Jackie, but YOU can choose a short from whatever genre you please. Whatever tickles your fancy-- if you're the type who picks up an anthology and cherry-picks only your favorite authors to read, this is perfect for you. Just review the one story you liked the best (or worst!) and don't feel obligated to finish the whole thing-- I mean, how exactly would you go about reviewing one of those Mammoth books anyway? Makes my eye start twitching a little just thinking about writing -- or reading! a review that long.

Because I am lazy and can't be trusted to maintain any given event EVERY! SINGLE! WEEK! and also because I am totally noble and wish to share the work glory with Jackie and ALSO because it was an idea jointly inspired, Jackie and I will be sharing this dealio. We're officially kicking off December 5th, here at Alpha Heroes. In January, Literary Escapism will take over, and we'll be alternating months from there out. Watch for the cute badge that Jackie whipped up, in your choice of purple or green, and feel free to lift it for your post.

Jackie gives you her introduction to the whole thing here: Short Story Saturdays at Literary Escapism.

Now, it *IS* Thursday (in most places, anyway) and this seems like a pretty good spot to put up a list of this year's most tempting anthologies, just in case you need some enabling inspiration. Note that these lean heavily to romance, but there's a nice sprinkling of UF in there too if that's more your ticket.

Thirteen Tempting 2009 Anthologies

1. That Holiday Feeling – (contemporary) Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods, Robyn Carr
2. The Heart of Christmas – (historical) Mary Balogh, Nicola Cornick, Courtney Milan
3. Holiday with a Vampire III – (paranormal) Linda Winstead Jones, Lisa Childes, Bonnie Vanak
4. An Enchanted Season – (paranormal) Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Jean Johnson
5. Kissing Santa Claus – (contemporary) Donna Kaufman, Jill Shalvis, HelenKay Dimon
6. Hot for the Holidays -- (paranormal) Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast, Allyson James
7. Never After – (paranormal) Laurell K. Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Marjorie M. Liu, Sharon Shinn
8. Must Love Hellhounds – (paranormal) Ilona Andrews, Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook
9. Huntress – (paranormal) Christine Warren, Marjorie M. Liu, Caitlin Kittredge, Jenna Maclaine
10. Unbound – (paranormal) Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson
11. Strange Brew – (paranormal) Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Karen Chance, PN Elrod, Charlaine Harris, Faith Hunter, Caitlin Kittredge, Jenna Maclaine
12. Deep Kiss of Winter – (paranormal) Kresley Cole, Gena Showalter
13. Four Dukes and a Devil – (historical, paranormal) Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash, Tracy Anne Warren (Jackie’s review and the start of it all!)


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