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I feel like this state of affairs sort of echoes the discussion that occurred a while back about who gets invited to write for anthos and who has to come through slush (if at all).
Like Charles says: There are lots of great stories written for those "usually included" venues that end up in Best of anthos. That's not the problem. The problem is when it seems hard/impossible for great stories from other venues to be included.
THEN it becomes a "generally accepted truth" that The Best stories only appear in certain venues because those are the venues that get stories included in Best Of anthos. It's a circle. Editors have tastes, likes and dislikes and that will influence what stories they choose.
I read a ton of short SFF every year, and I know for a fact that my Best Of selection would look different than a lot of other people's. With so much excellent short SFF out there, the problem is NOT finding enough great stories for Best of Anthos, it's choosing a certain number.
Like Charles, I would love to see a broader range of venues, a broader range of writers, and a broader range of story "types" included.
I understand that the job of putting any Best Of antho together is a freaking HUGE deal. Kudos to anyone taking it on!
I understand that the job of putting any Best Of antho together is a freaking HUGE deal. Kudos to anyone taking it on!
It also seems that these anthos are pretty powerful in shaping many people's ideas of what kind of stories and venues are "best", rather than being a selection based on editorial preferences.
And yes, Best of anthos include a lot of excellent fiction by excellent writers.
And yes, Best of anthos include a lot of excellent fiction by excellent writers.
Including newer/smaller publications, newer/different writers, new/different kinds of stories in more places (awards lists, Best Of anthos, reading lists and recommendations, etc.) is hugely important imo.
Smaller/newer venues often publish outstanding and interesting SFF.
Smaller/newer venues often publish outstanding and interesting SFF.
I know one thing for sure: the problem is not a lack of amazing, excellent, mindbendingly fresh and unique SFF short fiction by writers and venues that have never been featured in a Best Of antho.
I read it every week, every month, every year.
I read it every week, every month, every year.
