Yes, it’s finally here! It’s been a year in the making, and this is how it happened.
Last September we invited contributions for our second anthology. Having seen the signs that said, ‘No Gathering’ we took the opposite approach. Using the Greek word ‘anthology’ (Gk., anˈθɒlədʒi): from anthologia, a combination of from anthos, (‘flower’) and+ logia, ‘collection’ (from legein ‘gather’) – literally “a gathering of flowers” – we therefore decided to make ‘Gathering’ our theme.
By December, we had made our selection, and in January the manuscripts of poetry, prose, reflection, and recollection were sent to Edinburgh Napier University for the Publishing MSc Students to work on, with Course Leader Avril Gray, collaborating with the writers and our team. In May, Napier co-hosted a fantastic Literary Salon Event with us, when the writers and title were revealed:
THE GOLDEN HOURS
Featuring work by Britta Benson, Mary Byrne, Ash Caton, Philip Caveney, Anna Cheung, Augustijn van Gaalen, Julie Galante, Allan Gaw, June Gemmell, Pippa Goldschmidt, Naomi Head, Fiona Herbert, Stuart Johnstone, Musenga Katongo, Mark Lewis, Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, Kirsty MacDonald, Kirsten MacQuarrie, Roddie McKenzie, David McVey, Ricky Monahan Brown, Chiamaka Okike, Mary Paulson-Ellis, Alycia Pirmohamed, Tracey S. Rosenberg, Charlie Roy, Lizzie Smith, Suzanne Smith, Thomas Stewart, Rosie Sumsion.
At our July Salon, we were able to reveal the cover, designed by former Napier MSc Publishing Student, and now good friend of the Salon, Elise Carmichael. And – WOW! –what a cover it is! Here is the artwork, before we furiously debated what typeface to use:
Finally, after various last-minute panics and ample preparation we launched the book in August, as part of our 5th Birthday Bash. Here we all are GATHERED at The Outhouse…
The book, along with our first anthology, is available here on our website (both are available as a bargain bundle) and will be available in selected shops in very soon.
(click on the picture: webpage will open in a new tab)