This anthology, to be independently published by David M. Fitzpatrick, is only open to students who take Creative Writing: The Short Story through Bangor Adult Education in early 2011. This anthology will be in a series of anthologies based on writings from this class.

If you have trouble with how to come up with something that reflects the anthology title, read a bit about that here.

Stories
The stories may be about nearly anything, in nearly any genre, with exceptions noted below. The only main requirement is that each story must somehow echo the title That Amazing Green Toy. That means whatever it means to you. You must not simply mention the phrase or those words; it isn't enough to simply have an amazing green toy make an appearance in the story. You must not have something amazing, something green, and a toy. Instead, the thing or idea which reflects "that amazing green toy" must be integral to the story, so that the story wouldn't work without it.

Consideration
Students in this class will write stories that somehow reflect the title That Amazing Green Toy. Students are not guaranteed acceptance into the anthology, but as it is only open to them, they face little competition. I will personally work closely with all students as needed or requested to help them craft publishable stories.

Title
The title of your story should not be "That Amazing Green Toy," although you may use variations on that. Note: I will not publish two stories with exactly the same name.

Length
Your final stories, submitted to me after class is finished, should be from 4,000 to 9,000 words. I do not want to see fewer than 4,000 words. If you go over 9,000 words, then the length must justify the story being told.

Setting
It's perfectly okay to set stories in or around Bangor or in Maine, but it is not necessary. While I believe in writing what you know, it's always great to see students write about what they don't know, so stories set outside of Maine are always welcome.

Tense
I do not publish stories written in the present tense. Tell them in the past. If you choose to write otherwise, I will work with you to help you make it as good a story as it can be, but I will not be likely to publish non-past-tense stories.

OKAY: John and Mary went to the car. They got in and drove to the restaurant, where they ate a nice meal.

NOT OKAY: John and Mary go to the car. They get in and drive to the restaurant, where they eat a nice meal.

Point of View
I do not under any circumstances publish stories written in the second-person POV. I'm okay with first-person POV, but you should be adept at telling stories from this POV. Otherwise, stick with third-person POV.

OKAY: Jack was the best fisherman in town. Jimmy loved to go out on the lake with him, because the boy learned so much from him.

OKAY: Jack was the best fisherman in town. I loved to go out on the lake with him, because I learned so much from him.

NOT OKAY: Jack was the best fisherman in town. You loved to go out on the lake with him, because you learned so much from him.

Genre
You can write in nearly any genre: science fiction, mystery, fantasy, thriller, horror, suspense, etc. Each story's reflection of the the anthology's title will be the connecting thread that ties them all together. However, there are a few things I am not interested in financing and publishing.

No erotica. I'm not against erotica as a rule, but am not likely to run erotica in this anthology. Also, since the Bangor School Department would presumably disapprove of erotica being written on their school computers, please refrain from writing erotica as your semester project unless you do it on your own laptop. You may still write it for class on your own laptop, and I will assist you to make it as good a story as it can be, but it is highly unlikely that I will consider it for inclusion in the anthology.

No graphic violence... maybe. This is a tough line to walk. I'm not against graphic violence if it serves the story and isn't there just for shock value, but again, I need to appeal to as many area readers as possible. Check with me about any graphic violence you plan to write. You may still write it for class, and I will assist you during class to make it as good a story as it can be, but it might not be considered for inclusion in the anthology.

No romantic fiction. Romance is okay, so long as the story isn't only a romance tale. No Harlequin-style stories. It's just not something I'm particularly interested in, so if you have a romance, make it part of a bigger plot. You may still write a romance-only story for class, and I will assist you during class to make it as good a story as it can be, but it might not be considered for inclusion in the anthology.

No religious fiction. If the story features a religious plot, theme, or resolution, or the character's change results from a religious experience, I'm not likely to publish it. Religious characters are okay, but religious stories are not. You may still write it for class, and I will assist you during class to make it as good a story as it can be, but I am unlikely to consider such a story for inclusion in the anthology.

No nonfiction. This class is about fiction. You may not write it for class, and nonfiction will not be considered for inclusion in the anthology.

Publication Date
The anthology will publish probably six months to one year following the completion of the course.

Good luck! I look forward to seeing your finished stories.

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