BEHIND THE SCENES: The Making of Pieces of Us

Every anthology begins long before the first story is written. What readers eventually hold in their hands is the result of months of planning, collaboration, editing, and prayerful decision-making. While every publisher has its own process, we had a clear vision for Pieces of Us, the first book in The Story of Us anthology series. From the beginning, we set out to create stories that would encourage, inspire, and remind readers that even life’s broken pieces can come together in beautiful ways.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we brought Pieces of Us to life.

It Started with a Vision

Every anthology begins with a question. For Pieces of Us, that question was: What happens when love is tested, hearts are broken, and people must decide whether to hold on or let go?

Relationships shape every area of our lives. They can bring joy, healing, disappointment, growth, and second chances. We believed there was room for an anthology that explored those experiences through stories that were honest, hope-filled, and emotionally engaging. That vision became Pieces of Us.

Rather than simply collecting stories, we wanted every contribution to reflect the heart of the anthology while offering readers a unique perspective on relationships, forgiveness, resilience, and redemption.

We Invited Interest and Carefully Selected Our Contributors

For Pieces of Us, we chose an approach that allowed us to build a strong team of contributors while staying true to the vision for the book.

Some authors were personally invited to consider participating because we believed their storytelling style and writing experience aligned with the anthology’s theme. At the same time, we also welcomed expressions of interest from writers who wanted to be part of the project.

Everyone who expressed interest—whether invited or not—was asked to provide information about themselves, their writing background, and why they wanted to participate in Pieces of Us. This process allowed us to get to know each writer beyond their published work and helped us prayerfully and thoughtfully select the final contributors. 

Throughout the process, we sought God's wisdom as we made decisions, believing He was bringing together the right stories and the right authors for this project.

It was our desire to bring together a group of authors whose stories, voices, and professionalism would create a cohesive and meaningful reading experience for our audience.

We Curated a Collection of Distinct Voices

Selecting contributors was one of the most rewarding and challenging part of the process. Our decisions were not based on writing ability alone. We considered:

• alignment with the anthology’s vision

• storytelling ability

• professionalism

• willingness to collaborate

• commitment to meeting deadlines

• diversity of voices and perspectives

Ultimately, we selected ten talented authors, each bringing a unique storytelling style and life experience to the anthology. Together, we formed a collection of voices that gives Pieces of Us its depth, authenticity, and heart.

Every Story Had to Fit the Bigger Picture

One of the most fascinating aspects of building an anthology is balancing individual creativity with the needs of the collection.

Each author wrote a completely different story, yet every story needed to feel like it belonged in the same book. As the manuscripts came together, we considered questions such as:

• Does this story reflect the anthology’s theme?

• Does it add something new?

• Does it create an emotional experience readers will remember?

• Does it complement the other stories rather than repeat them?

Our goal was to create a collection where every story could stand on its own while also contributing to the overall reading experience.

Collaboration Made Every Story Stronger

Writing may begin as a solitary process, but publishing is a collaborative one. Throughout the project, contributors received editorial feedback designed to strengthen their stories while preserving their individual voices.

The editing process focused on:

• strengthening story structure

• improving clarity and pacing

• enhancing emotional impact

• refining dialogue

• ensuring consistency

• polishing grammar and style

Throughout the editing process, our editors have remained mindful that they are not to change an author’s voice. Their role is to help that voice shine more clearly. As we complete the final rounds of editing, every revision brings each story one step closer to publication.

Turning Manuscripts into a Book

As we complete the editing phase, the anthology now moves into production. This next stage includes:

• interior formatting

• cover design

• author biographies

• front and back matter

• proofreading

• preparing files for publication

During this stage, the anthology will transform from a collection of individual manuscripts into one unified book. Every design decision will be made with the reader in mind.

Preparing for Launch

Pieces of Us is scheduled for release in September 2026, but promotion begins long before launch day.

As we prepare for publication, our launch plans include:

• developing promotional graphics

• creating contributor spotlights

• preparing social media content

• planning launch announcements

• coordinating promotional activities with contributors

One of the greatest strengths of an anthology is that every contributor helps introduce the book to new audiences. We look forward to sharing Pieces of Us with readers around the world and seeing the impact these stories will have on their hearts and lives.

Looking Ahead

While Pieces of Us is a work of fiction, it also represents something much bigger. It represents the collaboration and trust of ten authors who came together with one shared purpose: to tell stories that would encourage, inspire, and remind readers that hope can be found even in life’s most difficult moments.

Watching this anthology come together has been one of the most rewarding experiences for everyone involved.

As the first book in The Story of Us anthology series, Pieces of Us lays the foundation for future collections that will continue exploring the complexities of relationships, faith, healing, and the human experience through compelling fiction.

Although there’s still work to be done before Pieces of Us reaches readers, we’re incredibly grateful for the dedication, creativity, and collaboration each contributor has brought to the project. We can’t wait to place the book into the hands of readers this September.

Want to Be Part of a Future VBD Anthology?

If you’re a fiction writer who enjoys creating relationship-driven stories with heart, keep an eye on future anthology opportunities from Victorious By Design.

And if you’d like professional feedback before submitting your work, we’d be honored to help.

Book your consultation here: https://www.victoriousbydesign.com/book-online

Additional Resource

Continue building your publishing knowledge with these related articles:

1. What Is an Anthology and Is It Right for You?

2. Anthology vs. Solo Book: Which Builds Your Author Platform Faster?

3. How to Write a Powerful Short Story for an Anthology (Even If You're New)

4. How to Submit to an Anthology: What Editors Really Look For

5. 13 Common Anthology Submission Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

6. Accepted Into an Anthology? Here's What Happens Next

7. How To Promote an Anthology You're Featured in and Grow Your Author Brand