Set for world anthology record
ATTEMPTING to break a Guinness World Record would scare anyone but one South African is trying to do just that and, along with the help of others, write his way into the record books.
Author and owner of Celenic Earth Publications Shaun M Jooste will be orchestrating a South African Guinness World Records attempt by having the most writers involved in a short story anthology book. The previous record has 50 writers, but Jooste is aiming for 100 writers.
“In April, when I was putting my first anthology together, out of curiosity I went on to the Guinness World Records website to see if there was an anthology-type record,” said the 37-year-old.
“I discovered one for ‘Most authors contributing to an anthology of short stories’, which had 50 writers, so I thought, why don’t we try and set a new record, and then I applied for it online.
Jooste said that they have 56 writers so far but Guinness has also said that it is unlimited, and if he is able to get more than 100 writers involved, then that would be great too.
There are a variety of rules to be followed as the launch of the book has to be televised in some way and have two witnesses – one of whom must have a degree in English literature – to count that the short stories themselves are between 3 000 and 8 000 words.
Jooste said: “We have to also sell 1 000 printed copies, and the reason is that they don’t want us creating an anthology just for the purpose of breaking a record, and then we don’t do anything with it, so we have to prove we’re selling it to the public.”
“I know we can achieve it, but sticking to guidelines has always been an issue for me.”
Those interested in joining the attempt can request membership to the “CEA Greatest Anthology Written” Facebook group or e-mail ceagreatestanthologywritten@gmail.com