EDITED 2/11/18: adding some clarification and other lessons learned.
So you want to do an anthology! Collections of themed art are kind of the thing these days, and they’re fantastic. Projects like this can produce some truly beautiful work and I’m super-happy that they’re becoming more accessible to people with the rise of on-demand printing.
But also: it’s a lot of work for a complex product, and sometimes it goes awry. I’ve been on both sides of this several times, so I get it. (If anyone really wants me to show receipts on my project resume, then sure.) A collection of points that will probably help you follows.
For the purposes of this post, when I say “anthology” I’m referring to a community project run by a few moderators with a juried selection of contributors and the aim of having a bound set of illustrations printed professionally. This has recently (2018) been conflated with a “zine,” but understand that classically that refers to a homemade publication that you print off by hand and bind yourself at pretty low personal expense.
Only apply to something if you feel like you’re going to be able to–and want to–do it. You can’t predict everything that’ll come your way, but remember if you get selected and drop out, you’ve taken a spot from someone else.
(If your application doesn’t get selected, don’t let it discourage you. Just try again. Rolling with the punches is one of the best skills you can learn.)
Be invested in the project and attentive to its status; this is something that you have as a responsibility to your peers. I’m not saying babysit it, but maybe try to look out for each other.
Try to be understanding of how difficult it is to organize a project like this. Editors basically set out to herd cats for free (yes, y'all are the cats) and sometimes with substantial out-of-pocket expense. I promise that no matter how much time it takes you to complete your contribution, editors are easily investing 10 times more.
Treat whatever you’re doing as a professional opportunity. This is networking, and if you are difficult to work with, people will remember it.
Check your email and respond to things. It can take literally take you 90 seconds but earn you infinite goodwill.
Please use the templates your editors give you. Please. If you don’t draw right in the template they give you, double-check it to make sure your document is the right size, resolution, file type, and color mode. This is really important.
If you’re having trouble, tell your editors. Maybe you need an extension, maybe you’re stressed out, maybe you’re not sure if it’s something you’re going to be able to commit to anymore. BE COMMUNICATIVE. Pinch hits can be really hard to organize at the last minute, and your editors will appreciate all the notice you can give them if you’re going to have to drop out.
Bring your A-game. Pros show up.
Plan out your project at the beginning. Scope out a timeline and be transparent about it. @andythelemon put together a great doc here that outlines some budgeting pointers.
Organize and create templates for your contributors before you send out acceptance emails. This is something that you should be able to provide to everyone at the same time as the project deadlines, not as an afterthought.
Remember you have an obligation to the people who have volunteered their time to you. Talk to them. Keep them posted. Your contributors are trusting you to be able to manage this project, and keep in mind this might be something they want to put on a professional resume.
Know what you’re asking of people and make sure that you communicate it. If you know you will not be able to pay anyone, tell them. If you’re going to have a Kickstarter and pay everyone depending on its success, tell them. If you have no idea if you’re going to pay anyone at all, tell them.
But also, if you plan to pay your contributors, actually do it. I know this sounds like common sense, but money is the point where this all gets serious.
Research vendors early on and know what’s going to be a viable option. Figure out how many copies of your product you’ll need to sell in order to break even. Here are some good places to start:
Don’t forget how much shipping costs, especially out-of-country.
Stay organized. Spreadsheets are great.
Regardless of whether you’re planning to pay your contributors or not, show your work. Keep your receipts. Map your expenses and profit. Prepare as though you will need to show your records for a tax audit.
Do your due diligence with regard to advertising: contributors may use this as self-promotion or references in applications to other projects. Alternatively, it will just help your project be successful. (You need this to be successful.)
Understand that you cannot in good conscience take all of your contributors’ rights to their piece away. You can ask that they not post their piece until a certain time, but if you want an express restriction on sharing after publication, you’d better have a contract.
The literal very least you can do is provide a free copy of whatever you’re creating for each of your contributors. If you can’t afford that, then you should re-scope the project.
If you make a mistake, just apologize and try to do better. We all mess up. Not all of us have the perspective to recover and fix it.
Guess what? You should treat this side of things as a professional opportunity, too. You’ll be building relationships and people will remember what it’s like to work with you.
BRING YOUR A-GAME. PROS SHOW UP.
