Status of YBFH #22 IMPORTANT

[ellen_datlow]

Further to Gavin and Kelly's post about Bad news about YBFH --yes the YBFH is no more but I'm delighted to announce that I've just been offered a two book deal with Night Shade to edit a Best of the Year in Horror anthology (not titled yet)--for this year and next...

The deal is not set in stone but there's no reason to believe it's not a "go."

So thank you Terri, Kelly, Gavin, and of course Jim Frenkel and Tom Canty for the many enjoyable years I've worked with you all on this massive project.

And here's a virtual toast to my new endeavor.

addition: I wrote the above off the cuff yesterday because I felt pressure to get something out but I'd like to add this.

Without Jim Frenkel, the series would haven't existed at all. It was his brainchild from the very first volume, to gather fantasy and horror short fiction in one place. He asked me and Terri Windling to co-edit such a book, she handling fantasy, me horror. We agreed and that's how it all began --Jim was the packager for all twenty-one years of the existence of the anthology.

added January 14:
Terri sums it all up most graciously and eloquently on her blog

Comments

[wistling.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about YBFH - I looked forward to it every year. Congrats, though, about the Horror anthology!

[pgtremblay.livejournal.com]

Like everyone else, I was very saddened to hear St. Martin's was discontinuing the series, but I'm pleased to hear that NS is picking it up.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

The first isn't exactly what happened (I can't say more) and the second part is inaccurate-- Night Shade is picking up only the horror part :-)!

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Oh, no!

[norilana.livejournal.com]

So sad to hear about the loss of the long-time classic, Ellen, but on the other hand, major congratulations on the Horror anthology deal! Kudos to Night Shade for picking it up! :-)

[douglascohen.livejournal.com]

Very sorry to hear about the end of YBFH. Congrats on the new deal.

[benpeek.livejournal.com]

grats ellen

[cathica.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about the end of YBFH. Each new volume was great reading, and darned useful, too. I look forward to seeing your new anthology. Good luck.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It was an interesting experiment, the mix of fantasy and horror and I hope it'll get going again some day. I always like to point out that the continuum from fantasy to dark fantasy to horror was a useful one to consider. And it seemed to work.

[michael-dekler.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the new book deal! I was getting worried we wouldn't see a "Best Of..." for horror this year. Very glad to see you continuing in some form. Niceeee.

If all goes as planned, may we expect to see the first issue later this fall?

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yup. If I finish reading in time. I'd kind of felt a bit paralyzed for the past few weeks, not knowing what was going to happen.

[unrealfred.livejournal.com]

I'm stunned and disappointed by the YBFH news, but congratulations on the new book deal. It's a nice silver lining and well deserved.

[shvetufae.livejournal.com]

Ellen, I'm really sorry to hear about this. I have been meaning to ask you about something, anyway, and this is as good a time as any. How can I reach you over e-mail?

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I've just sent it to you by lj message.

[mroctober.livejournal.com]

A panacea of sorts.

[ericmarin.livejournal.com]

Again, I'm very sorry to hear about YBFH. Regarding your two-book deal, congratulations! I hope it turns into another long-running series for you.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

THanks Eric. It was a good run for a good series.

[jsridler.livejournal.com]

Sorry to see the old ship go down, but I'm thrilled about the new one about to set sail. Will be buying two copies for me and my lady as soon as it hits the street!

JSR

[asyouknow-bob.livejournal.com]

Wow, what mixed news.

I'm saddened about YBFH (...I have them all, having just picked up #21 a month or so ago...), but I'm glad to hear of your new projects.

[mer-moon.livejournal.com]

The news about YBTFH sideswiped me. Honestly, I'm -- all blank paper and inkless pen about it. Still, I'm really glad to hear about the (hopefully) a go Nightshade Books deal.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Oh it's a "go" --I just hate to say definite absolutely till contracts are signed.

[lonesome-crow.livejournal.com]

Very saddened to hear that YBFH's run with St. Martin's is over. Very, very pleased to hear that Night Shade has picked up the horror half for the next couple years. Let's hope they do 20 volumes. Congratulations, Ellen!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

You don't want to know how old I'll be if they do ;-)
thanks

bad news/good news

[donald-mead.livejournal.com]

The end of YBFH was just posted at Codex. Very sad. But I'm glad you'll still be publishing horror.

Re: bad news/good news

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Me too.
And back to work or the new antho won't be out!

[(Anonymous)]

YBFH has been a yearly ritual for me, much like contemplating my own mortality around New Years as I realize how many life goals remain, or the subsequent drinking of fairy blood to remain young. It was something to look forward to every year. But alas, no more. Sigh.

I was equally sad when SCIFICTION died, by the way. So glad they can still finance those incredible SCI FI Original Movies instead! Now that's quality, folks, expanding the frontiers of the genre.

So I am very happy (as selfish as that happiness may be) to hear of your new anthologies. Cheers on your new endeavor! I'll certainly join your toast and drink to that.

... if the damn fairy will stop squirming.

Randy

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the condolences. You get used to it after awhile. Nothing DOES last forever and change can sometimes be good. I'm an optimist (to my horror) so look forward to see what happens next.

Single malt scotches only! Islays preferred.
Oh shut that fairy up!

[crookedfeet.livejournal.com]

Thank you for all your hard work over the years. I will miss it a great deal.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

Oh! This is great news indeed :D! Nightshade is full of fabulous people.

You're pretty fabulous too :3

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

LOL -that's me, Ms Fabulosity :-). I'm already doing the big reprint cat antho for them so it should work out nicely.

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

I'm very sorry to hear about YBFH. What happened? Why the cancellation?

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Long, slightly complicated story.

[catephoenix.livejournal.com]

First off, 'that's a shame', and second 'congratulations'.

[oneminutemonkey.livejournal.com]

Congrats! I'm glad to hear that you'll continue to peruse the field for the best works you can find.

I will say I'm deeply sorry to hear about YBFH. I always hoped I'd manage to get into it someday.

I'll just have to start writing horror.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Yes you will :-)

[rosefox]

The anthology is dead--long live the anthology!

[stephanieburgis.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry the YFH series is ending - I always loved thse anthologies - but many congratulations on your new series! I can't wait to read it. :)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yes. Its very existence was a milestone in the field. I don't know if anything like it will ever be published again. It was a confluence of idea/editors/of its time. But I'd like to think that we corrupted a few readers who "only" like fantasy and not horror and vice versa, over the past 21 years ;-)