As part of the amazing new Women on Writing Blog Tour for author Barbara Barth’s novel “The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later”, I am honored to shared this guest blog post from the author today on writing anthologies. I hope you all will enjoy this as much as I did.
I wish I planned better. I’ve always jumped right in doing something without much thought to it. The idea I can do this always crosses my mind first and then I ask myself, what was I thinking? Publishing anthologies (now I have done two with a third on its way early 2020) has been a learning process for me. I’m delighted to say you can teach an old dog new tricks and I’ve made progress in the planning department.
The first two anthologies A Cup of Christmas (2014) and A Cup of Love (Valentine’s 2018) were beasts to conquer in a short timeframe. I contacted writers I knew, sent guidelines for stories and formatting. I didn’t want to hinder anyone’s style, so I was open to memoir, fiction, recipes, and poetry. Some great things came in, some not so great. Some of the best writers sent in first drafts, not finished projects. I’m not an editor for punctuation, I’m more about continuity. The good news, many flushed out their stories, and for those that didn’t, well I did my own haphazard editing. The anthologies were to benefit a charity, First Book that does wonderful things for children in need with reading and learning materials. The writers pulled together and both anthologies, last-minute ideas, were completed in six weeks each. An awesome task but we got it done. I also have a wonderful book designer, my sister, who knows how to knock it out of the park with a fabulous looking product. Those two anthologies were eBooks only.
I joked, if I ever do this again, I’d call it A Cup of Cyanide. I was over all the work I’d brought on myself with the others, and you get my drift with the cyanide! Never crack a joke like that with a group of writers. They loved the title, and so a third anthology is in the works. A bit of murder and mayhem. This time it’s being done differently. It’s our Walton Writers project. We’re taking our time. The group members will design the cover and interior, edit the stories, and learn the book formatting process. It’s the focus of our monthly meetings. This anthology is a grand way for everyone to be involved, make the decisions, and ultimately have a book (both paper and eBook) that is their product. Our non-profit this time is The Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts, where we meet each month. We plan to have a big launch party at the Art Center when we finish.
The bottom line, it’s all been great. The writers (from never published to award-winning) gave freely and quickly to the first two anthologies. Writers giving back. I love that. And the excitement of our writing group for the new anthology is infectious. I learn something new myself at every meeting, because it’s all a learning process, to be better writers.
So, if you think you want to publish an anthology and don’t know how, I didn’t either. Don’t let that stop you.
The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later
Tour Begins November 11th
Book Summary
Picking up where The Unfaithful Widow ended, Ten Years Later continues the author’s journey from widow to a slightly askew woman. A memoir written with warmth and candor on being single again, aging, and finding a creative path surrounded by dogs, friends, laughter, and a bit of craziness. Barbara Barth shares stories on the adventures that followed her first year alone as she moved headfirst into a new life, listening to her heart, sometimes not so wisely, but always full speed ahead. Join her on the ride of her life, from owning an antique shop to moving to a Victorian cottage outside of Atlanta, and all the follies in between. Going into the next decade with six dogs by her side, the author proves you are only as old as you feel, and happiness begins with a grateful heart. A funny and engaging memoir for anyone who wants to be their own superhero facing life’s good and bad moments.
Print Length: 374 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, LLC
ASIN: B07YBNHXZG
The Unfaithful widow Ten Years Later is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon.com
About the Author, Barbara Barth
Author, blogger, sometimes antique dealer, dog hoarder, bedazzled by life. Widowed ten years ago, Barth writes about finding a creative path back to happiness. Her recent move to a 1906 historic cottage brought many surprises, including discovering the Monroe–Walton Center for the Arts where she started the monthly Walton Writers group and is on the MWCA Board as Literary Arts Chair. Barth is a contributor to Walton Living Magazine and a former blogger for The Balancing Act, Lifetime Television’s morning show for women. Currently she lives with six dogs, rescue dogs that rescued her.
Visit her website at https://www.barbarabarthwriter.com/, follow her on Twitter @writerwithdogs, and follow her Amazon author page.
— Blog Tour Dates
Today @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us in celebrating the launch of Barbara Barth’s new book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
November 12th @ All Things Audry
Author Barbara Barth is a guest writer over at Audry’s blog today and will be talking about women friendships.
http://allthingsaudry.blogspot.com/
November 13th @ Words from the Heart
Stop by Linda’s blog and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about publishing anthologies.
https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/
November 14th @ Thoughts in Progress
Visit Mason’s blog today and you can read Barbara’s guest post about starting a writing group. Don’t miss it!
https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
November 15th @ The World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole’s blog and read her review of Barbara Barth’s book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com
November 16th @ Lori Duff Writes
Stop by Lori’s blog today where you can read her interview with Barbara Barth and read her review of Barbara’s book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
https://www.loriduffwrites.com/blog/
November 16th @ Jill Sheets Blog
Visit Jill’s blog today and you can read Barbara Barth’s guest post about self-publishing.
https://jillsheets.blogspot.com.
November 17th @ A Storybook World
Be sure to stop by Deirdra’s blog today and check out her spotlight of the book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later and enter to win a copy of the book!
http://www.astorybookworld.com
November 18th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Be sure you visit Bev’s blog and read Barbara Barth’s guest post about starting over at 70. You won’t want to miss this!
http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com
November 19th @ Look to the Western Sky
Be sure to visit Margo’s blog and read her interview with author Barbara Barth. Don’t miss it!
November 20th @ Anthony Avina’s Blog
Make sure you visit Anthony’s blog today and read Barbara Barth’s guest post about publishing anthologies.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
November 21st @ Cassandra’s Writing World
Stop by Cassandra’s blog today and read her review of The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later. You can also enter to win a copy of the book as well!
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/
November 22nd @ Karen Brown Tyson’s Blog
Join us at Karen Brown Tyson’s blog where you can read a guest post about self-publishing by author Barbara Barth. Don’t miss it!
November 23rd @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Visit Bev’s blog again and you can read her review of Barbara Barth’s book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
http://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com
November 24th @ Choices
Be sure to stop by Madeline’s blog and read Barbara Barth’s guest post that will be talking about women friendships.
November 25th @ Wild Woman Writer
Visit Anne’s blog today and you can read Barbara Barth’s blog guest post about starting over at 70.
https://wildwomanwriter2018.blogspot.com/
November 26th @ Life Like A Galaxy Girl
Stop by Alanna’s blog today and you can read her review of Barbara Barth’s memoir The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
http://lifelikeagalaxygirl.com/
November 27th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa’s blog today and you can read her interview with author Barbara Barth and find out more about this incredible author!
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
November 28th @ Bibliotica
Stop by Melissa’s blog and make sure you read Barbara Barth’s guest post about grief over the years and finding happiness again.
November 29th @ Stranded in Chaos
Visit Sara’s blog and you can read her review of Barbara Barth’s book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
https://strandupdate.blogspot.com/
November 30th @ Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony’s blog again and read his review of Barbara Barth’s book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
December 1st @ Words from the Heart
Visit Linda’s blog and read her review of Barbara Barth’s book The Unfaithful Widow Ten Years Later.
https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com
December 2nd @ Women’s Writing Circle
Stop by the blog Women’s Writing Circle and you can read a guest post by Barbara Barth about adopting dogs while all her friends are having grandkids. Don’t miss this one!
I’m always looking for a good book (or series). I’ll have to check this one out!
I can relate! I’m definitely of the “I can do this!” train of thought first and then the “what was I thinking?” questioning later.
that sounds like the making of a successful launch. I started blogging because I love writing, but now I get so focused on SEO I want to write a personal piece on my site. Of course then no one will read it, but need to stretch my writing legs so to speak!
I would love to read these! I giggled about the cyanide piece haha
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