How to Make an Anthology, Thrice

Plus Insights into the First Eleven FACPOV ROTJ Stories

The magical (and completely empty) folder that started it all…

Making an anthology is just like making a novel, only more so. The planning, organization, editorial diligence, production wizardry, and general effort are the same, just amplified. The more stories and contributors, the more effort.

This is why making an anthology with forty contributors is a bad idea. But, we’ve already covered that…

Welcome back to the Cubicle at the End of the Galaxy. This week, we’re breaking down how a forty-author story anthology gets made, thrice. And later on, I’ll be pulling back the editorial curtain to share tidbits about the first batch of stories in From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi.

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Any anthology - but particularly one of this size - lives and dies by its organization. This entire newsletter could be a breakdown of the grids, folder systems, and organizing mechanics that make the project possible. (Gosh that would be boring) Instead, let’s skip to the fun stuff.

Survey Says…

Starting this project begins with watching the anniversary film, a lot. Our editorial team surveys the scenes, the potential characters, and the overall balance of the film. This accomplishes a few things:

1. An initial list of characters creates a starting point for contributors to choose their stories and help confirm that, yes, there are 40 potential stories in this thing.

2. Give us an early sense of the balance of the movie and how challenging it will be for the anthology to celebrate and retell the entire film.

   1. A New Hope is a really balanced film in terms of characters/scenes. There are rarely more than a few minutes without a big scene rich with side characters. And even the quieter scenes still have a handful of options. In contrast, both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi have big set pieces at the start/end of the films, but have middles with multiple scenes intercut, and even stretches where there are few characters outside the main stars. As important as the Battle of Hoth or Jabba’s Palace are, we didn’t want anthologies with half the stories dedicated to just those scenes.

Assembling Authors

With a project this big, we used it as an opportunity to push for all sorts of contributors. New voices, old friends, and a litany of creators from our wish lists. But we didn’t limit ourselves to publishing. Exploring across entertainment gave us another way to have the anthology truly celebrate Star Wars’ legacy and impact.

We particularly valued how these anthologies could be an open door for new voices who might then make larger impacts on Star Wars storytelling. FACPOV contributors have gone on to write novels, comics, and participate in initiatives like The High Republic. So, over time, From a Certain Point of View became more than just a celebration of Star Wars’ storytelling legacy, or its current impact on pop culture. It became a celebration of its bright enduring future as well.

Characters and Stories - the “Rules” of FACPOV

We made a concerted effort to put the choice of characters and stories in the hands of the authors. Assigning characters would not have allowed their voices, writing styles, personalities, and unique connections to Star Wars to shine through effectively.

To guide author choice, and keep the anthology focused on celebrating the film's anniversary, we created a few straightforward rules.

1. Stories cannot be from the POV of the “main” characters: Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, R2-D2 / C-3PO, and Darth Vader. Those characters can (and do) appear in stories in non-POV roles.

   1. You might argue that, based on the film, there might be other main characters who should be off-limits: Obi-Wan in A New Hope, Yoda or Lando in Empire Strikes Back, and Lando or Palpatine in Return of the Jedi. While true, we didn’t want to restrict storytelling too much. In those cases, we just nudged the author toward a part of that character’s POV not represented on-screen.

2. The story and character must directly connect to a film scene. We did allow for scenes that we know must have taken place but were never shown, or extended versions of scenes that we imagined continued once the camera cut.

   1. This exception led to some tremendously surprising stories, like - Yoda on Dagobah during A New Hope, Lando learning about the Death Star’s destruction, Doctor Aphra’s Dantooine escapade, the chef charged with making the dinner on Bespin, or Wedge Antilles taking up the mantle of leadership when Luke and the others fail to meet at the rendezvous.

3. Stories only need to be 2,000 words long. This meant that if all 40 stories came in at that minimum, we’d still have a lengthy project readers would find valuable.

   1. Most authors across all three anthologies exceeded that word count.

4. Each character can only have one POV story in each anthology.

5. Ultimately character and scene selection should encompass the entire film.

   1. As the anthology filled up, we’d “close” off parts of the film and steer authors toward exploring scenes that weren’t as populated. We left room to break that if an author had a transcendent idea, but that helped us avoid publishing FACPOV: Hoth & Friends or FACPOV: Oops All Ewoks.

With those rules, suffice to say that if you read one of the anthologies and wonder “why doesn’t X character have a story? The simple reason is, none of the authors choose that character.

Once an author chose a character/scene, we’d go through the same story outline process that we do on full novels, workshopping idea(s) until we settled on one we all loved. Then the author would be off to write, and we’d edit, revise, and finalize each story, building in interconnectivity, Easter Eggs, and more along the way. (You really haven’t lived until 20+ short stories all show up in your inbox on the same day.)

Finding An Order In the Chaos

The actual order grid for FACPOV ESB (Okay, we skipped most of the boring stuff)

The last big project hurdle is ordering the stories, which seems like it would be fairly straightforward - just follow the film! But, the more that stories overlap, or the more that film scenes cut between one other the greater the challenge. So like the character choices, we also came up with some rules.

1. Generally speaking, where the story starts defines its order.

   1. Some stories couldn’t fit this rule - like the space slug story in ESB, which does begin millions of years before the movie. But starting the ESB anthology with the space slug story made no sense.

2. If two stories are close in their beginnings, we use the ending as the tie-breaker or the breadth of the story “which story encompassed more of the film.”

   1. In ROTJ - there are many stories set during the Death Star space battle. One stretches from before to after the battle. That story we placed last in the grouping almost as the “recap” story of that entire section of the film.

3. If both rules 1 and 2 weren’t enough, look at the core essential film moment for each story, and order them that way.

   1. This is more granular than just the scene. It might be down to a single action, moment, or line of dialogue.

4. If a story’s breadth exceeded the film or was a scene that happened off-screen and its exact timing was a bit nebulous, we’d lean on rule 3, but also allow for a little wiggle room based on the flow of the anthology overall.

5. Rely on a final “does this make sense?” feeling to make tiny adjustments. After everything was ordered, we’d re-read the entire anthology, checking the flow, how neighboring stories relate to each other, etc.

6. Know when to stop reordering. You could order these stories forever and not be totally satisfied. So at some point, you take a deep breath and just go with it.

And there you have it, you have a forty-story anthology. Now just do all that thrice.

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From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi Insights: Part I ~ The Tatooine Jamboree

There are so many stories about the development of this latest anthology. Heading toward release, I’m sharing at least one anecdote, behind-the-scenes tidbit, or additional context why you’ll want to check out all forty stories and authors, come August 29th. In addition, there’s at least one recommendation for other writing/work by each author, because they are all brilliant creators whose work you should explore.

Today, we’re tackling stories 1 - 11 as we mine the sands of Tatooine with stories set during the opening set piece of the film.

Excerpts from stories 1-4

Any Work Worth Doing by Amal El-Mohtar

Many Imperials look upon Darth Vader with horror, others view him with scorn, contempt, or even dismissal. But what about those who look upon Vader with admiration, loyalty, and even as a source of inspiration?

Into this space comes Amal’s story about Moff Jerrjerod, challenged by Vader to accelerate the Death Star’s construction. Some stories surprise in loud ways, with noisy twists of the plot, or boisterous character reveals. Amal’s story surprises in quiet - but equally powerful - ways, in the intricate details she imbues into the story, and the unexpected cerebral depth she brings to Jerrjerod.

During development, I joked to Amal that, an alternate title for the story could have been “A Walk to Remember”…

Also check out: This is How to Lose the Time War (with co-author Max Gladstone).

Fancy Man by Phil Szostak

If you are part of the Max Rebo fan club, this is the story for you. A story that will have you singing out - literally - by the end. A zany mad-cap adventure that also has the perfect lyrical quality to it. Read it and imagine the Saturday morning cartoon adaptation that it absolutely deserves, or the “behind the music” docu-drama it would absolutely lead into.

Phil worked closely with Kristin Baver (author of “Satisfaction”) to align their stories.

Also check out: Star Wars: The Art Of books from Abrams.

The Key to Remembering by Olivia Chadha

“I want to explore the relationship between droids and The Maker” Olivia told us, early on. And then she choose EV-9D9, a droid who enjoys tormenting her fellow droids. Suffice to say, the foundation was set for a truly special story. Come for the surprising interaction with a certain bold blue astromech droid. Stay for the exploration of identity, what it takes to change, and how much of who we are is written “by the Maker.”

Also check out: Rise of the Red Hand

Fortuna Favors the Bold by Kwame Mbalia

Take one look at Kwame’s pitch-perfect story title and you’ll know the sort of story you’re in for. Or will you? Kwame’s tale has a kaleidoscopic quality, allowing you to see Bib Fortuna as the sniveling sycophant, sinister ambitious tactician, or pathetic trapped servant depending on what you bring into the story with you. A tale of desperation, fatigue, anxiety, fear, and ambition.

Also check out: Tristan Strong books and Black Boy Joy

Excerpts from 5-8

Dune Sea Songs of Salt and Moonlight by Thea Guanzon

An ambitious tale, both in scope (it’s one of the two longest stories in the anthology) and in the layers it pulls back of the everyday denizens - dancers, artisans, and servants - who find themselves indebted to Jabba. Thea excels at developing a deep sense of place.

Thea’s tale also has a surprising impact on a different story later on in the anthology, but I’ll leave you to discover that one.

Also check out: The Hurricane Wars

The Plan by Saladin Ahmed

Regardless of how fantastic, super, or “unreal” the world he’s writing in is, Saladin excels at telling stories about real people, those often pushed to the margins. In taking on Malakili, the rancor trainer, Saladin gives us an unflinching story about taking the pain and injustice of your own life, and turning that into empathy. Don’t be surprised if it changes the way you think about the rancor scene.

Also check out: Throne of the Crescent Moon, Star Wars: Canto Bight, Miles Morales Spider-Man (Marvel comics)

Reputation by Tara Sim

Boba Fett has come a long way since 2017, and his appearances in the FACPOV anthologies have evolved with the character. Tara Sim approaches this story by giving Boba Fett a cold pragmatism and understanding fit for “a simple man making his way through the galaxy.” In doing so, she shines a complementary light on Boba Fett and Han Solo, two seeming opposites who understand the galaxy, and their place in it, better than most.

Also check out: The Timekeeper Trilogy

Kickback by K Arsenault Rivera

One of the most surprising story pitches of the anthology and fully indicative of why we wanted the authors to own the character choices. A story that answers the question, “Who are the entry-level goons that work for Jabba? What compels them? What drives them?” The answers are surprising enough not to spoil, as is K’s perspective on the turmoil that comes with coming face-to-face with the wrong end of a lightsaber for the first time.

Also check out: The Tiger’s Daughter

Excerpts 9 - 11

Everyone’s a Critic by Sarah Glenn Marsh

What exactly does a Kowakian monkey-lizard wonder, or worry about? More specifically, who exactly does Jabba’s jester wonder, or worry about? While you might expect merely a birds-eye (or monkey-lizard eye) look at life in Jabba’s Palace, Sarah turned into a revealing secret history of the hopes and dreams of one Salacious B. Crumb (I constantly feel the strong urge to write “esquire” after his name).

Also check out: Reign of the Fallen, The Girls Are Never Gone

Satisfaction by Kristin Baver

I can’t say that I focused much on the character of Sy Snootles before Kristin sent in her story. But Kristin’s incredible tale about fame, vanity, and that which haunts us in the midst of success will demand your attention, and make you care.

Read it with Phil Szostak’s “Fancy Man” for a full-circle experience.

Also check out: Kristin Hosting “This Week in Star Wars” and Skywalker: A Family at War

My Mouth Never Closes by Charlie Jane Anders

Personifying creatures is a real challenge. Push too much and the creature sounds too much like a human, losing their creature-ness. Charlie Jane’s Sarlaac story arrived fully realized with consideration taken not just for the Sarlacc’s appearance, but its anatomy, movements, and more. Funny, touching, and the perfect amount of weird.

Also check out: All the Birds in the Sky, The City in the Middle of the Night and more

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In the Next Dispatch from the Cubicle…

We look at “the squishy” middle of From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi, with stories about Imperials, creatures, ghosts, and several Ewoks. And much more.

This newsletter was long and as I continue to dial in what this space might be, and what best serves you, dear reader, I’d welcome a little feedback!

-Be Well. #MTFBWY

Intern Saga thanks you for reading, but it’s time to go.

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