LEVIATHAN AND SILVER WEB BEST-OF COLLECTIONS

See below for information on two new compilations. There's the possibility of one major new story in the Leviathan compilation. Of these two, the Silver Web collection may be the bigger surprise, in that current readers probably have not read most of the stories--and there is some amazing work to be collected from that magazine.

I debated the wisdom of a best-of from an anthology with only four volumes out, but Leviathan 4 is only out in hardcover and Leviathan 1 and 2 are out of print. In addition, Leviathan 5 will usher in a new era for the anthology, so I thought it would be good to cap the current period with a compilation.

I should also note that although I did serve as a first reader for Ann from time to time, by far the greater influence was of Ann on Leviathan. For my editorial decisions, there was not a story that Ann did not read and give me her opinion on, and many times stories were accepted or rejected based on that advice. I admire the work that my various Leviathan co-editors did--hard work, and not easy work, especially Forrest Aguirre, who now has his own antho series. But it is also good to now acknowledge Ann and put her at the forefront for future anthologies. (In the past, we didn't publicly share editorial credit because we both had our own separate publishing companies.)

Jeff

NEW COMPILATIONS FROM GROUND-BREAKING PUBLICATIONS

Prime Books is pleased to announce the acquisition of two new collections that reprint the best from the ground-breaking publications Leviathan, founded by Jeff VanderMeer, and Buzzcity Press’ The Silver Web, founded and edited by Ann Kennedy (now Ann VanderMeer). Bothcollections will appear in late 2006 in trade paperback with possible limited-edition hardcovers.

Founded in 1988 and published for more than a decade, The Silver Web featured surreal dark cross-genre work at a time when traditional genre fiction was the norm. Stories published in The Silver Web won the British Fantasy Award, NEA-sponsored grants, and appeared in several year’s best anthologies. The Silver Web had a reputation for publishing many exciting new writers, including early work from John W. Campbell Award winner Daniel Abraham. This best-of collection will bring back into print several classics as well as a few unjustly overlooked stories.

Founded in 1994, Leviathan is the godfather of the current crop of cross-genre anthologies. Since its inception it has catered to readers who crave the beautifully strange, the off-beat, and the deeply unique. A World Fantasy Award winner, Philip K. Dick Award finalist, and British Fantasy Award finalist, the series now returns with a best-of, featuring work from the out-of-print first two volumes as well as selections from volumes 3 and 4.

The Leviathan best-of collection will feature an introduction from Ann Kennedy while the Silver Web best-of collection will feature an introduction from Jeff VanderMeer. Over the years, Jeff has served as a reader for The Silver Web and Ann has read for Leviathan. Future volumes of the Leviathan series will be co-edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer.

A full table of contents for both volumes will be forthcoming in 2006.