Two Charity Anthos for 2009: Leonardo Variations and Last Drink

Slowing down a bit, Ann and I only have two anthologies out in 2009 (well, three if you include BAF2). They're both relatively unique, and we've finally got firm pub dates for them.(Cover mock-up by Juha Lindroos; not final.)The Leonardo Variations: A Teaching Anthology. Featuring eighteen variations on the same story from Clarion East 2007 students, with the rationale behind the assignment, the template for doing it yourself, and creative writing advice from a plethora of amazing Clarion East instructors, this anthology will be of interest to writers as well as readers. All proceeds go to Clarion East. Scheduled for August. More info here.(Rough cover mock-up by Jacob McMurray; subject to change.)Last Drink Bird Head is basically a variation on a surrealist writing game: we gave the phrase to over 70 writers and asked them "Who or what is Last Drink Bird Head?" The results run the gamut from the hilarious to the terrifying, with each writer bringing their signature style and voice to the enterprise. Contributors include Michael Bishop, Gene Wolfe, Tanith Lee, Peter Straub, Stephen R. Donaldson, Michael Swanwick, Henry Kaiser, Caitlin Kiernan, Bruce Holland Rogers, Conrad Williams, Daniel Abraham, Ellen Kushner, Holly Phillips, Jay Lake, K.J. Bishop, Jon Courtney Grimwood, Sonya Taaffe, Tim Pratt, Sarah Monette, Rikki Ducornet, Nick Mamatas, Nicholas Royle, Marly Youmans, Liz Williams, Brian Evenson, Steve Aylett, Cat Rambo, and Richard Butner. (There are many more, too--I'll post a full TOC in a month or two.) Out in October from Wyrm Publishing/Ministry of Whimsy in a limited edition hardcover, with a trade edition to follow in 2010. More info here.In other news, Leviathan 5 is currently scheduled for 2010, with a reading period later in 2009.