Granted that there is always incentive for an editor to include as many Big Name authors as possible; granted that no one enjoys reading through the slush pile; granted that editors do tend to keep their friends in mind — but what about the No Name authors who are trying to be heard? If the "Members Only" attitude rankles, then I find those anthologies, which arbitrarily exclude entire groups of writers far more invidious. While this may be considered an approach toward thematic unity, I can imagine the outcry if an editor announced an anthology restricted to male authors only. After that, perhaps, WASP writers only?

As a writer, I like to believe that my stories can stand on his or her own against the competition and be judged by their merit. If an editor bounces a story because it isn't good enough or it isn't right for the anthology, that's fair enough. Every writer deserves a fair chance. As an editor, I've always tried to maintain the same open policy that I'd expect if I were submitting a story to The Year's Best Horror Stories. After all, I used to submit stories to The Year's Best Horror Stories back when Gerald W. Page was editor — and Jerry bounced as many as he bought.

And now we come to The Year's Best Horror Stories: XVIII.

Once again, you'll find a few big name writers, quite a few who may well become the big name writers of this decade, and quite a few who probably won't. About a third of these writers are making their first appearance in The Year's Best Horror Stories, proof that new blood is flowing freely.

And this time you have an alphabet of horror — twenty-six stories and poems ranging from angst to zombies. Regardless of your favorite tastes in horrors, you're going to find plenty to feast on here — from gothic to gore, from science fiction to surreal, from traditional to experimental, from frisson to fried brains.