Here’s some news from sf small press Phoenix Pick; they’re doing a series of books pairing up established names in the genre with newer writers. From the press release:

The Phoenix Pick program pairs a veteran author with a newer writer, each contributing a story for a single, stand-alone edition within the series. Each of the two stories may be set in the same universe, or complement the other in some other manner.

This project offers less-established authors a new venue to sell their stories and also provides them with an exceptional opportunity to have their work introduced to science fiction and fantasy fans by current masters in the field.

It allows veteran authors the opportunity to provide newer authors of their own choosing a distinctive platform to launch or re-ignite their careers.

Mike Resnick, the series editor, is considered one of the most distinguished writers and editors in the genre. He has been nominated for a record 35 Hugo awards and has won the award five times. He is first on Locus magazine’s list of all-time award winners, living or dead, for short fiction, and fourth on the magazine’s list of science fiction’s all-time top award winners in all fiction categories.

Good to see people still trying new ideas in the dead-tree sphere. As I’ve said before, I don’t think print media is anywhere near over, though it’s definitely moving into a twilight phase… and as mass market models fade away, there becomes space to try new things with niches. One to keep an eye on.